Winter Snow Drift

The snow has drifted up onto our work window and the drift outside the window obstucts the view of a portion of the hospital. I'll post the snow we have at home soon.

More and More and More Snow!

It just doesn't seem to stop snowing up here! How cool is that! Every day I get home from work I need to go out and throw more snow. It snowed all day yesterday, and it is snowing all day today. I wonder what ever happened to global warming. Thank goodness it isn't up here or the winter sports fanatics (counting myself) would have to keep moving north. On Saturday, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but frozen crystals were floating by which sparkled in the sun-light. It must have been the 5 degree temps freezing the moisture in the air, causing the frozen crystals to fly by in the wind. I have some video of it and will hope to post it soon. It was so beautiful I could have stood outside all day to watch.

Margie Jo and I started talking about preparing for the holidays right after Thanksgiving, but with Kellen going to Lego League State Finals down in Flint and my procrastination, we didn't send off our Christmas cards until today as well as our family gifts that will have to go out west. The shipping center said they will arrive sometime next week. I suppose that is better than forgetting all-together. Margie Jo put together some really cool gift baskets that I'm sure my parents will love.

I love working with the children that I see at work. Having turned to pediatrics has been the best decision of my career. Some kids are harder to reach than others, but when the tough kids respond it is so cool to see; especially to see the parents observe "firsts" in their kids. I am in great hope that I will be able to work with children as long as I can.

The boys are excited for Christmas, and it has been great to watch Breanna engage in the Christmas season. We are absolutely blessed. As I hear about all that is going on in the world and in our family this past year, I have to be thankful that all we have are the small things that are able to be dealt with without too much blood, sweat, & tears.

We hope to drive to Minneapolis next month to see Margie Jo's grandparents and the kid's great-grandparents as well as go to the Mall of America to play. Hopefully we can swing it so that it fits our schedule. Anyway, all is well. Much love to you all. You know who you are.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008!!!

5 Feet of Snow

Since the snow first began to fly this fall, we have had over 5 feet of snow, which does not account for the couple feet or so the last week or two. Temps have been below zero with wind chills up to and beyond 30 below. It has warmed up this week to a balmy 18 to 20 degrees which feels like sweater-weather! I'll attach some pictures and video soon. All of this happens and our snow-thrower breaks. The shoot dis-attached at the base, snapped in the below zero temps, and snow was shooting straight up like "Old-Faithful!" Need-less-to-say, it wasn't too fun being covered in snow with the fridgid temps. I have a friend fixing the snow-thrower, and in the mean time we have someone with a plow truck plowing us out when we need him. I need to buy one of these old beater F150's sitting on the side of the road for sale with a plow and just keep it unlicensed and uninsured for plowing. Since we have a 100' driveway leading up into our 5 acres, it just might help as I get older and it gets more difficult to walk up and down the driveway throwing snow. What I really need is a Cub-Cadet tractor with a snow-thrower and mower to take care of the entire yard! However, I don't think I have a spare $6-7K under the mattress so to speak. Even though it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not. I love the Keweenaw, and couldn't pick a better place to raise my family. The Portage is finally frozen over and snow-mobile tracks have run across from Hancock over to Houghton. The inland lakes are ready for ice fishing, and the boys have asked for a day out of school for some ice-fishing. How could I say no to that!?! All is well. We are warm and happy and have everything we need. We are looking forward to the Holidays and the coming new Year. Much Love to you.

Lake Effect Snow

Boy, how the snow is flying. The inland lakes have ice (almost ready for a trip out for some ice fishing) and Lake Superior is not too far behind. I have hung the our bikes in the garage out of the way, and the snow-shoes and snow skis are out and ready. We went out as a family and cut down our Christmas tree and have decorated the home for the season. I can't believe we are in the holidays already and that 2009 is not too far distant. I am so grateful for the life we have here and love my family more than I can express. We are looking forward to the coming year and hope everyone in the family has a wonderful Christmas!

End of October

Can't believe the snow if flying already. It is time to place the lawn mower in the back of the garage and bring the slow blower to the front. Hopefully trick-or-treating won't be a total freeze and will be enjoyable for the kids. Breanna and the boys are all set, and we are sure once she figures out what happens when you say trick-or-treat for real, she will be hooked. We are hoping for continued blessings of decent health for all of us. What a big week this is and what a stressful time in attempting to figure out what direction this country will be going in after the election. GET OUT AND VOTE!!

Welcome

Today is the day I begin to enter the blog-o-sphere!