Fresh snow!

We woke up to 3 inches of fresh snow this morning. Thank goodness we have Miles to help clear the driveway. He did a great job!

Miles and daddy talk strategy...shoveling must be done in a certain way.

After all of the hard work, we had some fun in the sled.

Until it tipped over. Then mama was the only one having fun :)

Nice Lady

Mrs. Claus visited Owatonna today, and we were not about to pass up an opportunity to meet her! A recent visit with Mr. Santa Claus didn't go so well (I'll post pictures later), so we gave Miles a pep talk and explained that Mrs. Claus is a very nice lady. It must have worked because when we arrived, he pointed to her and said "NICE LLLLLLADY!" If an adult male had said that very same thing in the very same way, he would've been kicked out right quick. But Miles got away with it, charming Mrs. Claus so much that she offered him a seat right next to her.

I think Miles realized that beneath the beautiful gray hair was a young and hip gal. Perhaps he caught on to it when they posed for some pictures...Mrs. Claus let out a valley girl "CHEEEAZ!".

Miles' good friend Ava sat on Mrs. Claus' other side. She took her time warming up to the jolly lady, but that's okay. It's best to use caution when in the presence of strangers - especially those who give you cookies.

Miles was thrilled when his other good friend Carsen showed up for the fun, too.

CHEEAZ!

Mrs. Claus is a very kind woman, full of patience and big smiles. She also makes darn good sugar cookies. Santa and the elves are lucky!

We went to Green Bay

We went to Green Bay for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tanner said that at the [slow] rate I'm blogging, my Christmas blogging will happen some time in mid-January. Isn't he funny?

Anyway, we went to Green Bay to visit Great Grandma Lucille. Other relatives were there too, but I admit that she was the highlight. I think Miles was just as tickled over seeing her as she was over seeing him...they made for a good pair that weekend. After we got home, though, I realized I didn't get ONE SINGLE PHOTO of Miles with his great grandma. How on earth did that happen (or not happen)? I'm hoping Grandpa Dave captured some of the action - he's usually more on top of things than I am when it comes to snapping pictures.

Here are some of the moments we did capture...

Miles and Rosie enjoyed many quality moments together. Great Grandpa Bert would have laughed over being booted out of his chair by these youngsters!

I ran in the 2nd annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. It was a crisp 20ish degrees, but I had fun and got a pie out of the deal.

Cousin Paige kept Miles entertained for a good portion of Thanksgiving day. She spun him around and around and around...what a very patient girl.

Miles overlooked the bay while at Great Uncle Mike's and Great Aunt Donna's house.

And Tanner decided Miles is now old enough to play with fire. Great.

We returned to Lameau Field on Friday to check out the pro-shop bargains and to play in the atrium. Who would've known that place has the best floors for racing cars? If you're ever there for a game, be sure to bring your favorite toy on wheels.

Friday proved to be a beautiful day - the bright sunshine made up for the chilly air - so we ventured out to The New Zoo. Miles and I "played" near the buffalo pond and hungry lion.

Then Grandpa Dave rescued Miles from his not-so-protective mother.

That was probably good because Uncle Will was ready to recruit him for a feeding.

Speaking of feeding (or drinking), this moose was awesome -

And finally, Miles had fun turning into a penguin...

...and a turkey rider.

It was a great trip and one that we hope to repeat soon. Miles began writing about his weekend adventures during the car ride home but (sigh) he was too exhausted to finish. That's okay, the blog is now updated.

SNOW

Thanks to the recent snow storm, Miles suddenly loves all things SNOW.

Snow blowers.

Snow balls.

Snow trains.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!