Winter Snows

Snow, as far as I'm concerned, is pretty for one day. Any longer and it becomes hazardous to my life. Things slow waaay down. Not in a good way either. No, school still starts at 8:10 am every morning. My kids however, take longer to get ready to leave. That's because they have to pull on their snow pants, boots, jackets, hats, gloves and scarves. Then they have a hard time walking because of all the extra bulk. Then getting to school is a hassle. Traffic has slowed, and finding a parking spot is impossible. When we finally do, we must walk through three feet of snow from right outside the car door to get to the sidewalk, which is icy. The wind chill is almost unbearable. The only thing to get me moving and the kids walking is the fact that the bell will be ringing in two seconds. No time to complain about the wind, and the snow in my boot, or the fact my hands are icicles because I forgot gloves.

When the kids are safe in the school, I run back to the car, get in and as I slam the door so the snow that has accumulated falls, I crank up the heat and try to look through my frosty windows to see traffic behind me before I pull out.

After a slippery ride home, I heat the water on the stove, pour myself a cup of hot tea and think of all the good things in life. Sandals, shorts, the sun, riding bikes to school. Summer. Oh, how I love it. Then I remember this picture, and I think, winter can be fun too. Especially for these little guys. They are mesmerized by all this snow. They have created a snowy world in our backyard. They are as happy as pie. And they have no complaints, just smiles and cheers.

Sonia

I've been tagged by Laura AHHHHHHH

So I'm supposed to share 7 facts about myself for you all to read and ponder on. And I don't usually share this kind of information with the world, but for Laura's sake, I will. Here it goes:

1. I love music. In middle school I started playing the tenor sax and by high school, I played the trumpet, marching Tuba, Concert Tuba, marimba. I was in the choir, school musicals and band. I even dabbled in writing my own music. Looking back, I should have majored in Music at BYU, but I didn't feel I was good enough to try. Moving on...

2. I should have been an actress. Except for my stage fright. Growing up I could never get up in front of an audience without the shakes. Even now, I'm terrified! You'd figure you would grow out of such nonesense, but for me that will never change!

3. I was once engaged to another. He was a recent convert and he was going on a mission. I met him at church, but we worked at the Movie Theater. He was a projectionist and I was a clerk in concessions. He was my first real boyfriend. He was kind, and funny, and sweet. Yet it was a really good thing he went on a mission, because I was able to work, go to school out of state, and date other boys. I wasn't ready for marriage. I was only 18. And then I met Devon, who I am deeply in love with. We have been married for 8 years now and have 3 children.

4. I used to be Canadian. French Canadian. Laura always laughs when I say it this way. But it is true. I have no accent. And that would be because I haven't lived there since I was a baby. Since my birth, I have lived in Mexico, NewFoundland, Toronto, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas,Utah and now Wisconsin.

5. I actually speak English. And I for a while French. Now the only thing I could do in French is carry on a conversation with a 3rd-grade french student. Maybe. I also took 1 year of high school and two years of college ASL. Oh I took Spanish, some. And studied grammars of German, Japapese, Russian and Shoshone. It was very interesting. Especially to a linguist. Which I am, er I mean, was. I graduated in Genereal Theoretical Linguistics at the University of Utah.

6. My dream job: Open up a small b&b and reception center. I would love to host proms, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, social events, buisiness meetings, and so forth. I would like to make it in the country, far from the city and cook for the guests staying at the inn. I would love to make breakfasts and tea time treats and make it a retreat so that I could love where I work.

7. My secret wish: That I could live in Australia with everyone I know here in the US. Isn't that everyone's secret wish? I love Australia and can't wait to go back with my kids.

Well, there it is, seven facts about yours truly. I put a photo of me when I was 17 years old. I like this picture, even though the top of my head is cut off. I think I look cute. And the expression on my face is of a secret joy that I'm thinking about. I don't remember what I was thinking of, but I always smile when I look at that photo.

Now I'm supposed to post Laura's blog here, she's the one who tagged me:

http://www.curreyfamily.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules to the game: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.•Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Since I don't have many friends who have blogs, here's who I can send them to:

Robert and Yohanna-Tag, you're it! check out their amazing blogs at: http://robertmaddock.blogspot.com/ and http://brianandyohanna.blogspot.com/

Last is First

Hi All!

It has been so long and so many of you have asked about our travels this past month...we have been gone nearly a month and have seen some wonderful things. You've all asked about our experiences in Australia and I have promised to tell you all and show photos; however, since they are on Devon's memory stick, I don't have access to them at the moment. We have over 400 photos from our trip, and there is so much to share. So, you'll have to be patient and I will begin with the last and move backward to then...so are you ready for Canada? This was an unplanned and last minute stop, but we were really glad to have gone to Niagara Falls. It was spectacular and absolutely worth the extra travel time. On our way home from New Hampshire, we decided to take an alternate route through Buffalo and over to Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada. There we stopped and had Tim Horton's donuts and hot cocoa. It was very cloudy and rainy that day, but the kids and Cooper-the-dog really enjoyed our explorations. Here are a few photos for you to gaze at. We were a bit anxious about crossing back to the US, since we heard the immigration officers were hard-nosed. But the man was really nice and told us he loved to visit Niagara Falls. Apparently the falls froze over back in 1848 and tourists were able to walk over the falls and recover artifacts from the riverbed. They stopped allowing tourists to do that in 1917 when three tourists died. There is a website that is really cool with lots of interesting facts and really spectacular photos. Check it out: http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Facts_about_Niagara_Falls.htm

Niagara has a very rich history as well as a major tourist attraction. My mom and dad honeymooned there in 1973...

Anyways, we got some video of our own for you to see.

Afterwards, we drove through Ontario into Michigan and then south through Indiana and back the way we always travel. Next time though, we hope to take the car Ferry across Lake Michigan straight into Milwaukee. That would be something!

Until next time,
Sonia XXOO

Faye's Slumber Party

Faye turned 7 this past week! Her birthday was on Saturday November 24th, but had her first slumber party on the 23rd. She and her friends were so excited that they slept maybe 5 hours that night. They kept waking up and talking, whispering, laughing, and telling stories. Some were scary stories and they kept coming into my room exclaiming that there was a man outside our house-the Grim Reaper! They all woke up around 4 am and just couldn't get back to sleep.

They had fun. I will never have another mass slumber party again. It was alot of work and you'll never get any sleep!

So I've posted some photos.

Devon wasn't able to be my helper this weekend because his grandmother had died and attended her funeral in Preston, ID.

Faye was upset when she heard this news.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cole/Poole family. We hope you feel god's love and peace during this time of grief.

Sonia XXOO

Cast Away

I'm happy to report Andrew has his cast off!! wooooohoooooooo!

I'm also noticing a huge improvement in his attitude, which is big for me. He smiles and laughs and his just glad. He is experiencing a bit of soreness, itchiness and skin irritation-all normal according to the doctors.

We have a couple of more weeks of cautiousness-making sure he won't fall down the stairs or get pummelled by the dog-so that he doesn't break his leg again.

But he can take baths-HALLELUJAH!- and swim and next week he can try to stand! I'm so pleased let me tell you.

I'm also getting ready to take a long trip with Devon across many oceans and continents to visit my husband's parents in Australia. They are serving a mission for our church and we are truly excited to see them in action! It will be summer there, so I'm looking for some summer outfits that -ah hem-fit. I can't wait to see them and visit Brisbane! I want to see a kangaroo, the great barrier reef, see the temple...so much to do!

So that will be after Thanksgiving. And after Faye's birthday....one thing after another huh?

Love you all, Sonia XXOO