First "ski" of the season!!!

Yesterday we got snow all afternoon.  We got out the kids ski stuff and they had a blast.  Thank goodness for the one small hump in the backyard!  Just enough for Grace to get some practice feeling a little more comfortable.  She only skied once last year and I had a harness on her.  She relied on the harness quite a bit so it was great practice for her to get her own balance.  I think she is gonna do great once we get to Holiday Valley.  Grant of course was fine and can't wait to "ski for real".  He still loved just getting all his gear on and getting out there!!

Christmas happenings

We had a festive Friday full of Christmas fun.  We did our gingerbread house and afterwards cuddled up by the fire while watching Rudolph! The kids said that the house was the best thing we had ever made!! :)

The next day we were off to deliver our letters to Santa!!  They are very excited to get their letters back from him!!!

The next day we were off to Aunt Amy's house for a cookie baking/decorating party.  Everyone made it!  It was such a fun holiday visit!!

December

So far in December we got our Christmas tree and just started decorating.  We went to Kelly's Country Store again this year.  After we pick a tree, we always go in the store and take a peek at Santa.

Halloween and November

We trick-or-treated in our neighborhood, but before we got started we visited some of our old neighbors (including Bernie, Gilbert & Gretchen).  In what seems to be a new tradition, Papa Jim came and celebrated with us again!  

We had a great hike at Devil's Hole on the first weekend of November.  The leaves weren't peaking but it was still a beautiful hike.  The kids did so good when we turned around and went back up the hill.  Jeff and I were the ones having to keep up with them!

On the 13th of November Dad had a 3rd heart attack.  This time they found that one of his stents had a clot in it.  He did great and had his usual over night at UPMC presby.  I didn't go down this trip but Jenny was at the hospital to help out.  So far, so good as of late!

Every year when we do Gran't birthday party there always seems to be a snow storm.  We planned on doing it a little earlier this year in hopes of avoiding that problem.  We had it on Saturday the 12th (mom and dad didn't come because mom wasn't feel well.  Glad they didn't because it was the next day that Dad had his heart attack).   We had beautiful weather and even went to the library playground for about an hour.  All of the kids seemed to have a great time and just as nice, nobody had any problems on the drive home!

Winter sure doesn't want to come this year.  It is late November now and no real snow to speak of, just a dusting once!  This gave us more time to get all the leaves out of our yard!

These two are adorable.  Gracie is always bugging Raymour.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't mind in the least!  

This was just a random trip to the zoo for Gracie and I.  A gorgeous day in November.  The Rhino was active and running along his enclosure when people would run by, so neat to see.  The arctic foxes are pretty new and one of Gracie's favorites.

We also have some lion cubs at the zoo which are adorable to watch.

Jeff had a conference in State College that Jonathan and his family were going to as well.  Carolyn, the kids and us went to the arboretum, got ice cream, and played at the pool while the guys were at their conference.  We also went to the Lights on the Lake in Altoona.  It was a little early to get in the Christmas spirit but we were in the area and we figured it was our only chance to see them.  Everyone loved it.  It's a fun spot that hold a lot of fond memories for us.

I don't have any pictures of Thanksgiving this year but we celebrated at Jim's house with Jason and Heather on the 23rd and then went to Mom and Dad's the next day on Thanksgiving.  Then, just 2 days late Jeff went to a Penn State game with Jason, Heather and Cody.  He had such a great time and Penn State won!!