The Frozen Tundra and Ice Skating

There's a reason my family and I call the North Country the Frozen Tundra. It's cold. It's icy. And it's cold. Did I mention that yet?

Today, the high in Norfolk is 7F. Yea, you read that right 7F. It's cold. Have I mentioned that yet?

I ventured outside today, finally. To take some pictures of what it looks like outside. After two days of sleeting and freezing rain and one day of snow showers. That stuff just tops off the snow that was already here. Cleaning off my car was a joy. 

There's a reason we call it the Frozen Tundra...It's not like it's untrue. Funny enough, ice skating is popular up here. When it's snowy and icy for nine months out of the year, I guess it's one thing you can do for most of the year. Okay, so there might not be nine months of ice and snow but people who live up here joke that there's two seasons, winter and construction. 

My sister-in-law wanted to take her boys skating for the first time at a local arena. Since Ryan and I have only been out once this year I thought it would be perfect to join them! 

Unfortunately the arena that had free skate wasn't renting out ice skates. Fortunately, there weren't many people (read: 10 including the six of us) there so the boys and my brother-in-law could still walk around on the ice - which they enjoyed! Here's some pictures:

this was the rink at 9:15am - free skate started at 9:00am

my nephews, Luke and Cole

the boys thought it was fun to run on the ice and make themselves fall

the hubbs is a phenomenal skater - should've been a defenseman

sibling love

us!

the whole group - clockwise from top left: Ryan, Jessica, Tracy, Me, Cole, Luke

This was a perfect start to the Christmas festivities beginning tonight. Let the love and joy start! Happy Christmas Eve!

Safe and Sound with Laughter

Well, we got here. Up North. In the frozen tundra. Which makes even more sense as it's literally been freezing rain and sleeting since we passed through Saranac Lake yesterday. Sliding in to Norfolk around 4:30pm we made it just in the nick of time as a state of emergency was issued at 5:00pm banning all unnecessary travel. With an inch of ice/sleet/snow on the ground when we got here, I'd say it was for the best.

Good thing I didn't want to go anywhere.

Most everything was closed today, including the local churches. It's probably a good thing as the ice just kept coming today. Last night had the hubbs and I up a couple times listening to it pounding away at the roof. It was surprising to wake up and still have power. Thankfully it never went out. 

The icy roads and travel ban didn't stop Ryan's sister and her boyfriend for making the trip out to spend time together. We finally got to give her her birthday gift (from October) and then we all enjoyed it together.

This game is seriously funny. About half way through I started writing down some of the things that were said. Here's some highlights:

Name 3 Halloween costumes:

"Batman, Superman, Spongebob" - Tyler (Amber's boyfriend)

Name 3 Indian tribes:

"Fukowee" - Craig (my father-in-law) As in "where the fuck are we?"

Name 3 feathered animals:

"Bird, emu, ostrich..." - Me

"Chicken?" - Ryan

"er...bird...blue bird!" - Me

"You couldn't think of more common birds? Emu, really?" - Ryan

Name 3 Chicago songs:

After Amber and Tyler couldn't name one, we all broke into song singing "Saturday in the Park."

Name 3 reasons to call into work:

"Got your period." - Said by yours truly - not my finest moment

Name 3 medical procedures:

"Addadicktomy" - Craig (say it slow and break it down)

Name 3 prime numbers:

"1, 2, 3." - Me

"2, 3, 5. Did you just say one?!" - Ryan

As a side note, we're both math majors, and the number one is neither prime nor composite by definition.

Name 3 brands of toilet paper:

"What's that horrible one? Scott? It's like sandpaper on your vagina!" - Amber (Ryan's sister)

Highlights also included when I said "sex and masturbation" for stress relievers and "condoms" for things you would find in a high school locker. My mother would be proud. Just showed my city girl roots apparently. 

first picture: Tyler and Amber 

second picture: Craig

third picture: Tammy (my mother-in-law) and Ryan

Have you played this game? Was it as enjoyable for you and your friends as it was for us? Do you remember any particularly funny answers?