Visit to Santa ... and our Winter Wonderland

It all started last week. Last Sunday we didn't venture to church, because of snow and treacherous roads (the second and third services were cancelled0. And since then the weather hasn't stopped. There were a few days of snow that melted, which was nice - it was here then it was gone. But since Thursday, we have slowly been building a massive accumulation of snow. On Thursday night, the snow was more like Dippin' Dots - you know that fun ice cream product you get at the fair or concerts/basketball games? It came quickly and there was about 1/2 in on the ground in 10-15 minutes. It was all downhill (uphill?) from there. Church was cancelled again yesterday - no services at all - and Christmas Sunday at that!

We had blizzard conditions ... tiny little snowflakes blowing around (the kind I used to believe couldn't really add up to much) ... not sticking everywhere, but piling up in the corners of our yard and on our front porch (up to a foot or higher!). Next came the freezing rain which gave us a nice 3/8 in thick crust - just enough to freak out the dog. And I didn't notice it happening, but apparently it snowed overnight, and the neighbor is shoveling 4 new inches off her sidewalk. And it's still snowing. Total accumulation so far? Last night they said 9" total in Vancouver - this morning it's got to be at least a foot so far. INSANE!! But incredible beautiful at the same time.

I haven't been in "residential" snow (that's the term I'm using for snow around your primary abode) like this for quite some time, and I can't help but wish I was six years old again. I don't have any desire to get out in the snow and make snow angels or build a snow fort or roll balls for a snowman ... but I remember having that desire, and I wish my little six-year old self was here to roll around and get snow into every open gap in my winter clothes, then come in for piping hot cocoa and cookies from my mom.

I can't wait for Graham to get excited for the same things. If history stays regular, maybe in 2012 we'll have another storm - when Graham is 4 1/2 years old. I bet my excitement will come back when it is prompted by a little 4 ft "G-man" begging for help to roll the balls and get the head on the snowman.

On Saturday morning we took advantage of our last chance to get out before the freezing rain set in. We went to go see Santa at the downtown Nordstrom. He has the best costume of any Santa I've encountered ... dark red, furry and jingly. I think they've had a new guy the last two years - his real beard is artificially frosted silver (which looks kind of freaky) ... and he's pretty introverted. Graham thought he was just fine ... he hung out with him in a very relaxed fashion - although he didn't give us any big smiles, at least he stayed away from the loud screams!

After visiting Santa, we walked around Portland with Graham in our Chariot stroller (the one we can tow behind our bikes). This thing is great - Pat and I shivered in our boots, loving every moment of the "city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style ..." while Graham was warm and toasty in his Chariot, hanging out letting us do all the work. The drive home was not bad, since all the snow blew off the roads. We were home well before the arrival of the freezing rain. But that was Saturday. Now it's Monday and I am very stir-crazy. Can't even go for a walk, because the stroller can't get thru the snow! Should have bought the ski attachments ...

Tomorrow we're going to fly to Wisconsin for Christmas - or we will try to fly. The airlines are having to use significant amounts of de-icer ... and apparently they don't like to do that. I think they use de-icer in other parts of the country regularly - they should be able to do that here too! We're just hoping we get out of here ... Minneapolis should be more prepared for the winter weather they're encountering. Pray for us travelling ... for timely arrivals, and departures. Also, pray for Graham. I think he's starting to teethe ... which isn't fun for him - or us. He's always travelled well so far, but this time might be a bit more challenging (for everyone else).

Our definition of nighttime fun has changed!

Oh the things we do as parents!

Last night Pat and I spent about 10 minutes laying on the floor listening to Graham as he was rolling around and cooing in his crib. We'd raise up to try and catch glimpses of him, then quickly duck back down so he wouldn't see us. We were snickering softly, both of us realizing how silly we were being, but how much fun we were having watching Graham figure out his body movements ... We watched as he discovered the collection of pacifiers along the corner of the crib, and he picked one up and put it in his mouth! We were concerned at a couple of points because his feet slipped between the bars and looked like they were caught, but he had no problem.

I had gone up to check on him because he was making funny waking-up noises. Pat was cleaning a pan in the kitchen, but no sooner had I set foot on the stairs than I heard Pat's footsteps coming up the stairs too ... we just treasure these nighttime wakeup times - Graham is so stinking cute. Sure enough, Graham was awake, and we were able to sneak in while his back was turned towards the door, and we assumed watching positions on either end of his crib. I went back downstairs after a couple of minutes. After about 10 more minutes downstairs, I decided to go check on the situation upstairs. I found Pat laying on the floor, and that's where our snickering sessions started.

In the end, Graham rolled over to his tummy, with one arm stuck under his belly - and got pretty frustrated. We were able to swoop in and save the day (we tried to encourage him to pull it out on his own, but in the end we had to help).

What fun!

Update

Hello folks!

I just updated our Shutterfly site with the rest of our pics over the last few months (Thanksgiving included) - it is so up to date there are even pictures there from this morning! It's true - I took some cute pics of Graham this morning rolling around. There are a lot of pics of the same setting, but for family members especially, they probably won't mind seeing this many of Graham doing the same things. :) To see pictures of Pat with Graham, you'll have to look at the 4 month group of pictures - there don't seem to be a lot of him and G in the more recent groups.

Our dog Lazslow got into a fracas with some barbed wire in a hunting expedition before Thanksgiving. You may notice that in some of the Thanksgiving pictures he's wearing a sock on his foreleg and a sweatshirt shoulder around his neck. All of this is to help him from licking / scratching his wounds, and it worked pretty well. I appreciated it because it stopped people from seeing the big gash on his neck with all the staples and wondering what happened to our Franken-dog (as in Frankenstein - not as in a frankfurter ...).

Here are some pics of the take during one of Pat's hunting expeditions (the other expedition netted 100 birds across 4 guys, but that was at a farm and might be considered "easy hunting" by some). Not so for this expedition - this was true open country hunting, and in my estimation (and in the words of his co-hunters), they did very well. Much credit (and many accolades) was given to Lazslow for his attentive foraging. That's Pat's foot (and I think the butt of his gun) in the lower left corner of the picture of the truck tailgate.

Thanksgiving in Idaho - what a great time!

We spent Thanksgiving in Idaho this year, as we have for all the years we have been married- except for the year we went to NYC. Graham and I left Friday morning, and Pat and Lazslow left on Tuesday night - and arrived Wednesday monring because (thankfully!) he stopped to sleep on the way. My brother Andrew and his girlfriend Lauren came in on Wednesdsay night and they left after us on Sunday.

We had an amazing time with our family - making memories and impressions that I hope will last for a long time - for all of us. For Graham and me, it was really neat to be able to spend so much time with Mom & Dad / Grandmother & Granddad ... and Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. I think there was definitely some "imprinting" that happened ... meaning that I think he really got to bond with GM & GD ... and Uncle Andrew and Lauren too.

Particular memories that come to mind:

- Bathtime in the kitchen sink ... that right-hand sink proved to be just the right size for our little turkey!

- Watching Australia in the movie theater with a sleeping infant (he slept for 2.5 hrs, then my mom took him out when he woke up).

- Not having to make any meals ... except for one lunch. Actually, this was as tough as it was easy - I really missed cooking in my kitchen!

- Successfully making a really good cheesecake - my first time! Marbled pumpkin - mmm yummy!!

- Having one-on-one time with my Aunt Lu Lu and both girl cousins, Kay Lynn and Laura.

- A great time with family on Thanksgiving ... Graham slept through the main course - waking up for dessert and coffee.

- Getting to see my mom and dad making Graham coo and smile.

- My Aunt Lu Lu's ability to soothe Graham ... during the church service, and at home on Thanksgiving.

- Going out for dinner and coffee with my husband - sans bebe!

- Ability to work on a new project in my mom's craft room; knowing Graham was having a good time with his Grandmother.

- Sharing care-giving for Graham with my mom and dad - something we all really enjoyed.