wintery mix

winter definitely here in minnesota--big snow last week; woke to an icy, slippery sunday morning; freezing rain and flurries this morning, with more in the forecast to come. the good news? emma gets to have hockey practice outdoors tomorrow night at north dale!

hockey season off to a big start: emma had two games this past weekend, one win (5-2), one loss (4-0). terri's team scored their first goals last week though they lost 4-2. emma has games weds and sat; t on sunday.

we're hoping to have thanksgiving dinner together on thursday but a bit worried about terri being able to get back from LA as planned weds night with the weather. (she is there for a final ceremony for her mom that happened today).

ben's been busy with band stuff--he is trying out a new singer and player for his group, been invited to play with two other bands, and has several folks at church wanting him to play with them. kind of fun and exciting, though who knows where it'll go. tomorrow, the usual bass lesson.

first snow!

big, wet flakes wafting down all morning--a beautiful first snowfall on a quiet, cozy saturday. ben and hannah outside romping around like little kids; also trying to knock the snow off of various trees, bushes and shrubs. looks like the big old lilac in the west 40 might be a casualty, in fact. still, with nothing really urgent to go do, a great day to hang out and revel in the onset of a new season.

we lit candles...

...for grandma on all saints sunday--ben at hope, doug at grace, and terri and emma in italy.

doug and ben had a busy, church filled weekend overall--they sang in the "Faure Requeim" with the combined hope and grace choirs sunday afternoon (after a rehearsal friday night). it was also the weekend of the ordination and installation of a new campus minister at grace which is why doug was there on sunday morning.

terri and emma seem to be doing well over in milan--they did some sightseeing the first days (saw some 'gory' art, according to emma, and took lots of pictures), and now terri is in conference mode. emma is working on homework and watching strange sports on italian tv while hanging out in the hotel.

a new month

hard to believe it is november already. we are definitely ready. emma, always known for her costumes, dressed up as a grocery bag this year. ben as a super hero (photo not yet available).

terri's hockey team had another game on saturday; they lost, but only 4-0 this time. she'll have to miss a couple of games now as she and emma go to italy at the end of the week. (yes, italy: terri has a conference in milan, and is taking emma for a few days in rome and elsewhere after the meeting).