snow weekend

It has been snowing a lot in Buffalo in the last month, so this weekend Patrick and I decided to celebrate it and went down to the Southern tier for a little break. We drove down to Ellicottville Friday night, through a storm no less, and met up at our friends' ski chalet. Everyone hunkered down by the fireplace with the ski slopes lit up outside the window and had some drinks and played with the doggies. The next day we switched venues and went to our friend's cabin in Little Valley to do the same in a bit more of a rustic setting (the toliet froze mid-way through the evening). But that aside, we had a lot of fun, watched the boys shoot off fireworks and guns in the woods, and trekked around in the snow which was easily half my height. Lots of good company and good food - that's definitely the best way to enjoy the snow!

holi-crazed

The holidays this year were totally overwhelming. For the first time Patrick and I tried to meld two family traditions into one schedule and let me tell you, it takes a lot of work. With that and many other things going on, I felt totally scattered and stressed out and for the first time understood why some people want to just stay in bed rather than celebrate the holidays. Everything from my Christmas shopping to my New Year's Eve plans were totally last minute. Next year I vow to buy all my presents and send all my holiday cards out a month early, so at least I don't have that to worry about!

Anyway, here's the picture from our family Christmas card - season's greetings!