Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful

It's a sick thing:  we who are living in Minnesota revel in telling the rest of the (warm) world of the temperatures we are surviving!  Today the temperature reads -21 degrees.  Well, that is warm considering that temperature is without the wind chill factor.  It's bizarre.  

This is what a sub zero day looks like from my front door:  pink sky.  Who would know that the temperature reads -21 degrees?  

Some of the news headlines this morning:

• Coldest Temps. of Season Delay Minn. Schools
• Cold Temps. Won't Keep Fans from Pond Hockey Championships

• FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU
  50%		30%	40%	20%		20%
  5	12	14	20	22	24	18
  -15	-8	0	8	10	10	11

Now, doesn't this just make your day seem just a little bit easier to cope with?

And...don't come and visit us just yet.  Wait until the months of June through October when we really love the weather!

THE BIG MTC DROP OFF!!!

On Wednesday we dropped Cole off at the MTC. And since the swine flu outbreak about 18 months ago it is literally a drop off. No more going in with your missionary and hearing from the MTC president, singing the tear jerking "Called to Serve" and the announcement of, "parents and loved ones out that door and missionaries out the other door." We pulled up at the curb at our assigned time to find current clean cut and happy missionaries waiting to help
Cole with his luggage and to escort him away. It was a quick hug, kiss and I love you and he was off. Cole was excited and ready to start his mission and is so well prepared. We will miss him everyday but wouldn't have him any other place in the world right now.

YouTube - MormonMessages's Channel

YouTube - MormonMessages's Channel

OK, I couldn't help but post this one.  I watched it and thought it has to be "our" mountain!  But, looking closely it is not Snow Basin, but it surely has to be Utah?  I love the message and the analogy used about staying within the bonds.  Makes me want to be a Ski Patrol (Wo)Man.  You?

And because He loves us, we have boundaries put upon us.  This YouTube message so clearly teaches us this with a powerful analogy that we skiers (and non skiers alike!) can understand.

- Programs - Mormon Channel

- Programs - Mormon Channel (follow this link)

This morning I have listened to Conversations on the Mormon Channel that featured Christian and Stepanie (of the NieNieDialogues) Nielsen talking about their horrific plane accident of August, 2008.  It is both inspiring and humbling listening to them talk of their faith and their redefined understanding of who they are and why they are here.  It is truly amazing and it is my recommendation of the day and even perhaps of the year!  Listen to it when you can and you, too, will be uplifted by their story.

Finding Mr. Ramsey

Last week, Emily and decided to hit another Minnesota Historical site. Our quest: the Alexander Ramsey House. This man had been the governor of Minnesota not only as the first one, but also the first territorial governor. His house was not going to be as grand as the James J. Hill house, but hey, we wanted to use our membership and get out before Emily began her new job.

So, off we went to St. Paul (a 45 minute drive) on another snowy and very bitterly cold day. I dressed appropriate for the occasion, too! With perfect directions, we arrived at this home. As Emily walked to the front door, a thought occurred to her, "Wait! Is this even open? Is it open only for the Christmas season (which is highly advertised?)." That is exactly what we discovered all by ourselves seeing that there were no other people on the property. We were very disappointed and saddened to think we had to wait until Christmas of 2011, some 12 months away to enjoy this bit of history.

After having been disappointed at not being able to tour the Alexander Ramsey House, we stopped by the Minnesota Historical Society building and toured a great, home grown exhibit, "The Greatest Generation." This was all about those amazing Minnesotans who served in WWII and those who stayed home, particularly the women, and worked to maintain the homeland. We really enjoyed it.

And next year, just you wait Mr. Ramsey! We're gonna come and visit you. Get the crumpets and hot chocolate ready!

hANdY FaMilY ChRisTmAs pArTy!

This is Kathleen, and here are some of the pictures I took at the 2010 Handy Family Christmas Party! Not too many photos of the adults. Somehow, I assumed the post of official Santa photographer! Enjoy. Some of the pics are really, really cute!

Jolly Old St. Nick and just plain ole Nick.

Santa and Elder Jones

Lauren and Santa

This is as close as Grant would get to Santa.

Santa and Lexi

Santa and Brett's family

Addison

Lindsay and Kate

Santa and Jordan

Hey Jude! It's Santa!

Rachel, Ava and Santa

Santa, Ava, Slade and Rachel

Catherine and Caroline

Caroline

Kate and Preston

Kate performing with Santa

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Handy Christmas Party 2010

Huh...blank?  Oh yes.  There are no photos of the Handy Christmas party.  Is there anyone out there who will be posting?

Minne-Snow-ta Again!

I know that you've seen these photos before and think I'm repeating things!  Well, the repeat comes in the repeated storms that we continue to be blessed with receiving!  Overnight we had some 5-6 inches of beautiful snow.