Update from Minnesota

Winter seems to be lasting forever here in Minnesota. Today we actually got snow for the first time in several weeks, which is good as it means it is warm enough to snow, but bad in that we are still trying to remove the snow from the earlier snowfalls.

To cope with winter, John and Mary had the smart idea of heading someplace warm! Mary took a week off and went to Mexico while John went for a cruise in the Caribbean. I personally was happy that temperatures dipped 20-30 below windchill just in time to welcome them home!

Joe stays busy working and is probably one of the few that has enjoyed the cold temperatures as it has brought him a break from shoveling sidewalks and driveways. I am currently student teaching in a 3 year old special education classroom and loving every minute of it.

The cold and snow has kept everyone home from the cabin for the month of January. The whole family managed to get up for full day together in December, which was pretty impressive since we hadn't all been up there together during the winter for several years. We spent the day enjoying a variety of winter activities including snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing, and even sledding. The pictures below are from that visit. The plan is for another group trip up there next weekend, though I think Joe will be absent for it.

At Christmas we celebrated the completion of the cabin project with the addition of a bar in the basement. However, our celebration was short lived when it was discovered the outer walls were not insulated. So a new to-do list of projects was made while everyone keeps their fingers crossed that my parents never happen to run into the former contractor any time soon....

Besides managing on-going projects at the cabin, my parents spend their time trying to keep up with the world of technology. They frequently discuss the latest on the "internets" and continue to wonder if anyone would be their friend on "My Face" should they join. I told them that the day they first recognize that it is facebook and second figure out how to start an account, I would consider. Who knows, perhaps they will do so to celebrate the big 6-0 which, by the way, neither of them like to talk about too much.

Everyone cheered for the Packers on Sunday and were happy to see them win. I think it was mainly because we all know happy Packer fans are better to deal with than depressed ones. Also, they needed something to talk about since Favre was getting to be old news...

March is almost here, so here's a heads up reminder for you to start gearing up for March Madness. This year's tournament will involve trophies that will be presented at the family reunion - so get ready!!!

 Life's always relaxing at the cabin

Ice Fishing with the new auger...

 Robyn reeling in the fish - unfortunately the line snapped so it got away!

 Even Zoey took a turn at sledding

Mmmm homemade ice cream

The finished basement

My dad caught this fish after everyone left

 The tree was not as big as last year's but it did reach the loft railing

--Posted by Anna