Snow days, fun with grands, cousins, Swedes

We're having an ice day here in our area.  We got snow overnight and now freezing rain.  Although I haven't really heard any rain the past few hours.  But all schools are closed today, including Penn State.  We have a houseful, but more about that later!

On Friday I went down to Sam's overnight because of my plans for Saturday.  Dick did not ask off work Saturday since the weather was going to be ok for driving, and I went by myself.  

As usual I had a ton of fun with Sammy and Bianca.  I made sloppy joes while they were showing off all their tricks with Sam.

And of course, no evening with them is complete without a dance party!

On Saturday morning I made pancakes and bacon for everybody, then got ready to leave.  I had a cousin reunion to go to, but I had another very important stop to make first!

My Miki was at Fred and Deb's house near Manheim!  She and her husband Ingo and her friend Kicki had arrived from Sweden on Thursday evening.   We had a sweet time catching up.  She showed me all the crafty things she's making for the gift bags for Bjorn's wedding.  

Deb served a delicious lunch while I was there.  

Then I left for my girl cousin reunion at my brother's house.  His wife Nancy and my sister Mary Ellen were the hosts.   These cousins are on my mother's side of the family.  There were also some of our male cousins' wives present.  

Nancy has a lovely snow backdrop in her basement where we gathered, so we took pictures of family groups in front of it.  We have many more cousins who were not able to come. 

I can't believe I did not take any pictures of the food display of cheeses, crackers, dips, chips, fruits, veggies, cookies, candies, and more.    It was beautiful and so delicious!!!

I had an uneventful drive home.  Well, almost.  I gotta rat on Dick a little bit.  I was feeling sleepy the first half of the trip home, so when I got to the Sheetz at Duncannon I pulled into a parking spot, reclined my seat, set my timer for 15 minutes, and started to snooze.  After a few minutes my phone started buzzing with a phone call from Dick.  I decided I'd better take the call.  He was working on one of our bathroom fans that has been extra noisy lately.  He wanted to vacuum it out, but couldn't find some parts for the vacuum cleaner.  One part was something we have never had for this vacuum cleaner (which we've had for almost 14 years.)  The other part was a brush that he just couldn't find, and I really couldn't help him find it over the phone.  So that was the end of my nap.  I wasn't sleepy anymore.  When I got home I went to the closet where we keep the vacuum cleaner, moved one thing, and there was that brush.  What is up with men and finding things????

On Sunday morning we went to our service at GBRV.  I found out my flute player Brenna was still sick and wouldn't be there.  I had so many beautiful parts planned for her - a descant with two of the hymns, a guitar/flute duet in the middle of our choir song, The Gift of Love, and a flute/piano duet for the offertory.  I was so sad she couldn't be there. 

We went to Calvary's service afterward.  I saw Lori before I went into the service and found out she would be doing the announcements.  I said, "I'll be videoing you!"  She rolled her eyes!  So would you believe I thought I was taking a video the whole time she was doing those announcements, and discovered later that I had really just taken a picture at the beginning and at the end, hahaha!!  I was holding up my phone that whole time for nothing!

We had a nice afternoon with the boys.  Hunter napped for at least 2 1/2 hours, and I napped too.  Austin was on a super creative streak.  I didn't get pictures of the other things he made, but here's his Lego creation.  He doesn't look at any instructions, just invents stuff.  

After we took the boys home Dick and I went grocery shopping, stocking up for our week of guests.  Then we stopped for some Dairy Queen cones.  Perfect Sunday night treat. 

On Monday morning Miki, Ingo, and Kicki made the trip here from Deb and Fred's place.  After lunch they made a shopping trip to their favorite Michaels.  I was making Middle Eastern Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew.  Plans were for Anthony and Lori and boys to join us for dinner.  However, we were going to be getting snow and ice in the evening, so I met Anthony late afternoon when he was making a run for more salt, and gave him some of the stew and also some meatballs I had made for the boys.  I knew that the stew would not be a big hit with them.  

Miki had already started using my dining room table as a craft table, so the five of us cozied up around my tiny kitchen table for dinner!  Ingo was an enthusiastic audience for Dick's deer hunting stories, hahaha!  

In the evening I was helping Miki with the gift bags.  Of course we were having a little bit of fun too, and some heart to heart chats. 

So this is a nice stay-at-home day with Miki and the crew.  I made bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast, I'm getting my laundry done, getting this blog updated before our huge weekend, and will be making Southwest Beef Quesadillas for our dinner.  

Have a good rest of the week!