Winter showed up this weekend

Yes, it's a winter wonderland in Minnesota!  Saturday was lovely, with mild temperatures and just the right amount of falling snow for some playtime outside for Westy and Miles. Westy's memory of last winter's snow was non-existent, so he had to test out the cold white stuff. It took some worried looks and lots of brother-watching before he wanted to step into the (maybe-an-inch of) fluffy snow, but he did it and had a great time.

Cautious Westy watching Miles

Miles, loving the snow

Annie, being chased by two snow boys

The tables are turned!

We'd read and heard about the display of lights at "Sibling Park" (Miles' interpretation of Sibley Park), so off we went after supper to see what the fuss was all about. After sitting in a loooooong line of cars slowly moving toward the park for an hour and 15 minutes (no kidding!), we finally got to see the wild and crazy lights. I took the picture below from inside the car, so don't judge the light show by one poor shot, because the actual effect is pretty cool. Several light displays are choreographed to music, which viewers can tune in on a local radio station, or hear by rolling down car windows. Of course holiday music is played, as expected, but we also heard part of "Gangnam Style", which Dad/Larry/Grandpappy acted out while driving. Don't worry--we were moving at 10 mph, so no danger involved.

Today we had more snow. So nice to see the gigantic clumps of snowflakes that fell for several hours late in the morning and into the afternoon. The temperature warmed up to 34, making the fallen snow heavy and wet. It's going to get cold and colder tonight, so we expect unintended ice rinks in driveways and parking lots all around town within a few hours. We live in Minnesota, and we deal with it.

Happy to know that all the cousins had some fun going on this weekend. Miles and Westy frosted-- and ATE -- cookies at Grandma Doreen's after they left us this morning. Ethan and Owen pressed chocolate kisses into freshly baked Peanut Blossom cookies yesterday at Grandma Dar's (I'll bet they ate a few cookies, too!). Yesterday afternoon Hannah partied on at a friend's birthday while Vivi and her mommy entertained us on FaceTime. Even when we don't have all the cousins in one place, we're lucky to keep track of them with the help of technology! 

Have a good week everybody. Smooches all around.