We had Anna-Belle's birthday on Monday and here is a picture with her new, indestructible DVD player that we gave her. We have bought 2 other portable DVD players for the car, but they always seem to get stepped on or juice poured over them, so we went with the industrial strength portable this time. We had a great time watching her blow out her candles, open her presents, and play with her brothers. We can't believe that she is 2. It doesn't seem possible that it has been two years since we were down in Marshfield, WI to have her. Days, weeks, months, and years just seem to slip away.

We have over 230 inches of snow this year, but last weeks warm up in the 40's melted much of what was on the ground into just a couple feet of snow. I was going to take the boys ice fishing next Friday, but without a couple weeks of teens or 20's I'm not sure about taking them out on the ice. Hopefully it will stay cold this week and next to build the ice back up. I would love to post some nice trout or salmon on the blog next friday. We'll see.

Kids out in the Snow

Well, they say that we have had 176.7 inches of snow so far this year!! I did some snow shoeing this last weekend and had a lot of fun watching the kids out in the snow. This week the Arctic blast has taken hold, but the insulating effect of Lake Superior only has our temperatures down to just below zero for highs and 10 to 15 below at night. Not too bad comparatively so . . . those farther inland from Lake Superior are 30 to 40 below zero at night (not including wind-chill). The lake provides us cooler temps in the summer and warmer temps in the winter. We have never had to have air conditioning in summer, just the cool breeze off the lake with the windows open have been all that we need.

We went sledding this last Saturday, Breanna's first sledding trip and I'm certain she had a blast as she didn't want to stop even though she was freezing. It seemed as though the faster we went, the better it was. So we graduated from the "kiddie" hill to the adult hill and flew down with the best of them. She loved it, as did I. The boys had a great time and Kameron had to go at it alone as we all went into the lodge for hot chocolate (Kellen's blood sugar went low, Margie Jo's fingers were cold, and Breanna's toes were freezing). He said that he made a friend with a sled that was just like his. I think Kameron would be able to stay outside all day no matter how cold as long as he was having fun. I have next Friday off and will be taking the boys ice fishing and I can't wait! It has been too long and I hope to bring home some fresh, ice-cold trout for dinner.

The nights have been clear without any clouds and the stars have been spectacular. The stars at night have always been amazing up here in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Without the cloud cover, the temps just seem to drop like a rock. It almost feels like being in outer-space. It is just so quiet and dark with nothing but the sound of your own breath. I love those moments at night, outside in the dark with nothing but the stars and the freezing air. It feels so good.

I'm looking forward to the time off next week for the long weekend. It will be great to spend some time alone with the boys, doing boys stuff. They love to ice-fish, and hopefully we will catch something to make the time out on the ice that much better.

New Year

I heard this morning on the radio that we have had 120 inches of snow this year all ready, and we are expected to have another 6 to 8 tonight into tomorrow. It has been fun to see the kids enjoy the snow so much. I'm taking the boys ice fishing up in Copper Harbor on the 23rd and I can't wait! With Breanna being so young last winter, it was hard to take some time and get out on the ice last year. This year, hopefully the boys and I will make up for it and do a lot of fishing this winter. Wouldn't you know, my next patient is here and I need to log off and go. If I take him early, I'll finish early! More later on the coming year.

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!