Saturday, January 22, 2011

MLK Weekend

We spent part of the weekend with our friends at Brandy Brook. Here we have all of the girls playing a game of Bop it. There are 2 of the triplets and Natalie Wendig along with Laura and Kelly. Some inside activities while we take a break from snowmobiling.
This is what we woke up to after the first night at camp. Snow was heavy with over 2 feet of powder in spots from falling the prior day and all night. This lead to some fun later as we broke open some of the trails after being first for the day.Natalie was brave enough to make a trek around the camp to get some pictures. The snow was pretty deep... Next time, snow pants!
The girls unwinding at camp after a day of riding. The heat feels good after being out all day.
Sadie, the camp dog made the 6 mile snowmobile trip into camp by riding on a dog sled in an enclosed box. She was very happy to be a camp and very well behaved. We didn't have one case of missing food while we were gone for the day!
We woke up to a surprise the next morning when we were getting ready to leave. The clouds cleared and it allowed the temperature to drop to -25 F in the morning. The true test of how well your snowmobile will start. Luckily all of them started and everyone made it to the trucks. Good time by all.
This weekend 1/21-22 we continue to be hit with the late effect snow. About 18 inches from all day Friday to Saturday morning. Here we are cleaning out.
There are 3 snowmobiles in this picture, can you find them?
Laura and Kelly doing their part to clean up after the storm.
They found one. Sunday has been an inside day. Temps have been around 9 today so most of our time has been inside. Just a little too cold for too long of a ride with a wind chill around -4. After this weekend, riding conditions should be excellent.


Monday, January 10, 2011

Brutal Ride

We received a notice from school last week for Laura. As parents there is an initial cringe of "what now?". Only this was a pleasant surprise. Laura was selected as her class role model for the character of empathy. We are proud of Laura!
Laura at her assembly after receiving the certificate from the principal.
Friday night Laura had a friend over. Of course there was dress-up. With that comes little sister trying to play with the big girls. Sunday we ventured out on the sleds for a group ride. Our friends Steve and his son Nick came up from Cortland. The plan was to meet up with another group for lunch. We left our house around 10 and shortly into the trip Gary experienced some mud/water. Laura and I stayed behind with the other sleds. This is as close as I could get with the zoom I had. Just know the seat was a bit muddy when they got it out. They hooked a rope to the front skis and pulled and pulled and pulled.... We eventually made it to Parish 2 hrs later than what was planned. Attempted to dry some while having lunch. Set back to the trail to head home again. 90 miles in total and more of the same water holes along the way. Certainly up there in the top 10 worst rides. Laura and Kelly were truly amazing. They remained positive up until the very end when everyone just wanted to be home again.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year!

Wow a new year! Before I can start the year I better make a resolution to finish last year. Christmas came in like the snow storm just before. Fast! Then it was over in a blink of an eye. I don't remember it being so fast as a kid.
Kelly posing with a new outfit she got for her bunny from Grammie and Papa.
Laura writing her letter to Santa on Christmas Eve.
Gary helping to prepare the famous sticky buns for Christmas dinner. Look at him with the spirit!
Laura at Grandma Sheila's house with the gingerbread house she made.
After Christmas, the girls got their hair cut. Kelly went for the much shorter, "comfy" look. Which was a compromise to the spiked look she first picked out. Laura added some layers to her hair and had it curled for the day.