There's more than one way to do things...

OK, so the other morning it had snowed only a skiff. I walk downstairs and hear this awful, loud noise and I look out the window only to see this. I guess there's more than one way to deal with the snow. Mind you it's like 5 below outside too.

Our Fun Friday

Mari had her wisdom teeth out this morning...FUN! Not really, but she's doing fine. The doc said it went well and she didn't try to escape when I ran into the grocery store to pick up her meds. So, life is good. Lea had a social engagement this evening too. The hospital was having it's employee Christmas party tonight and it was a night of food, fun and dancing. We dolled her up to the hilt and sent her off to have a good time. Quite the beauty!

Sun dogs

There was an awesome sun dog this morning as I was taking Lea to work. I considered stopping and taking a picture, but realized that I couldn't do it justice with my cell phone and that it would just look like a "bright" mess. Besides, it was Wednesday. Lea's FAVORITE job--where she pushes the juice cart around the primary care unit in the hospital and dispenses juice, newspapers and her sweetness to all the patients. Back to the sun dog...in case you're wondering what one is, it is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky which looks like a halo or ring on either side of the sun. Sun dogs are formed by ice crystals in very cold weather. Yes, it was about 7 below when I left the house at 8:30 this morning. Thus...a sun dog.

Thanksgiving!!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year gathered as a family. We invited two other families to join us plus four missionaries! We had lots of helping hands in the kitchen too.

Villa D'Este

We stayed at Villa D'Este on Lake Como in Italy. It was a quaint hotel and has been around for a long time. What makes this place so special is the large piece of ground that the hotel is on. The mountains that surround the lake just go straight down to the lake, but this property had quite a bit of flat space around the hotel grounds. The hotel closes down during the winters, but is quite the place to be and be seen during the summer months. The original owner was in the military ( a long time ago!) and his wife thought he would be bored, so she had a fortress carved into the hillside so her husband could play military games! Villa D'Este also had a floating swimming pool. The grounds were beautiful and had this large mosaic "piece" as part of the hotel.

More adventures

When we left Innsbruck, Austria our final destination for the day was to be Lake Como in Italy. As we drove across Austria we "bumped" into Lichenstein (teeny weeny country in Europe). Then we drove through Switzerland and finally got to Italy. Four countries in one day..pretty impressive...but only in Europe! Here's some pics of some beautiful countryside.

Austria

From Munich we drove to Innsbruck, Austria and explored the town and the surrounding countryside. It was beautiful and very quaint.

only in Europe

Kirk had a great time driving his nice, new car all over Europe. His favorite part, driving the Autobahn at any speed you desire; least favorite--driving through some incredibly long tunnels.

Have you ever....?

Used a car elevator? Our first time and it was pretty scary! After we got Kirk's car, we had to park it somewhere and we weren't real keen about parking on the street. Our hotel had a small parking garage (only 6 stalls!) underground. So, with much trepidation, we stuck our hotel key card in the slot and the doors opened and there was enough room for one car. I got out of the car to make sure it was going to be big enough and that the doors wouldn't close too soon. It was CRAZY!

more BMW museum pics

We loved walking around this very modern space and seeing all the cool cars and motorcycles built by BMW.

BMW--Bayarin Motor Werks

BMW museum was very modern

BMW is BIG in Munich, Germany. The BMW museum is next to the main office and the factory. Across the street is the BMW Welt. One purpose of the Welt is for the European delivery of cars to their owners. The factory tour was very interesting and the museum was incredible and VERY ultra modern.

European Delivery

BMW Welt in Munich, Germany

Kirk's new baby

Creepy looking

I took this photo cuz it was pretty creepy looking, especially on Halloween!

It's looking like...HALLOWEEN!!!

Carving pumpkins, decorating scary cookies and dressing up with friends and family.