The blizzard really got going late Christmas Eve, but the snow started the day before...it was start and stop snow to begin with, and fair temps, and so we even went outside for some playtime before things got too wild!
Since the blizzard was set to to go crazy late Christmas Eve, we had an early Christmas gathering with Grandpa Ralph and Grandma Carmen at our home in Moorhead! Above, Sophia is riding her new bike, with a little help from Grandpa!
Sophia loves to unwrap presents! And she got SPOILED this Christmas by ALL her grandparents! Such a lucky little lady!
The whole gang! (Thank goodness for camera timers!)
Checking out a family photo that we gave to her grandparents!
Sophia put on a little harmonica performance!
A little post-presents family jam, starring Grandpa Ralph on the guitar and Sophia on the harmonica!
Sophia checking out our blizzard action
The Christmas Day blizzard! We got a couple of feet of snow, but the real problem was the high winds...visibility was terrible and the roads were BAD! Of course, this made for some very interesting travel the day after Christmas: Travis brought me to the airport. We left at 4:30am for a 6am flight because the interstates were closed...our own street hadn't been plowed, so it was pedal to the medal in 4-wheel drive for a block; until we could get to the first emergency route! Then we were able to take the e-routes all the way to the airport. Sophia and I boarded our 6am flight to Chicago on time. The plane drove onto the runway. We sat around. We were informed of a mechanical problem. We deplaned! We were told the mechanic could take an hour or two. Half an hour later the flight was cancelled. I was booked on an 11am Chicago flight. That was cancelled because by then the blizzard had hit Chicago. I was booked on a 1pm flight to Chicago. Cancelled. I was booked on a 4pm flight to Denver, a 7pm flight to New Jersey, and an 8am flight to Vermont. Quite the adventure! But we made it! And Sophia was incredibly well-behaved the WHOLE TIME!
The third time we went through airport security in Fargo, Sophia was a pro and helped herself to some playtime with the bins and kid chairs!
There were lots of really awesome kids to play with in the Fargo airport, and somehow we all ended up sitting together...good thing, since we were in the Fargo airport the longest...over 11 hours!
We made a little nest in a little hall in the Jersey (Newark) airport at about 2 in the morning...Sophia wouldn't sleep, and I was so tired I let her pull everything out of our bags! Some really nice guys who were servicing a plane actually brought us a big bag of snacks and beverages...including milk for Sophia...so there's evidence that there ARE nice people in Jersey! (But definitely not nice airports...Newark was icky! I think we'll just have the one Newark airport slumber party :))
But we made it to Vermont! Just 22 hours later than we were originally scheduled to arrive! We had some food, baths, and then were ready for some Christmas family action!
Yay for presents!
Chris and Sammy's dog, Zoe!
Uncle Schuyler shows off his killer sunglasses and "big boy" shirt...pop-pop opening presents in the background! 
The kids! Including Uncle Chris' baby, Zoe, in the foreground
Grammy, Aunt Sammy, Uncle Chris, me, Sophia, and Uncle Sky!
The family!
Sky continues his tradition of passing out post gift unwrapping
Breakfast!
Today (Monday) we went and had brunch with Auntie Alice, Auntie Ruth, and Ruth's son, Joseph (whom Sophia is betrothed to...we have a totally official contract in her scrap album! Haha). And they are TOTALLY IN LOVE! The above picture is of her way manly husband-to-be trying out one of her bows. At least it's blue!
So cute!
Alice, Ruth, and myself, with Sophia and Joseph on my lap!
Joseph was so good at sharing! Those are some horse models that Sophia got from Grammy for christmas...Soph loves them!
Told you they're in love!
there was lots of tickling...
And tummy revealing!
After lunch we all went over to the Middlebury Public Library, which has the most amazing kid section! There were loads of games, a puppet theater, aquarium, huge stuffed animals (in a bathtub!) and lots other things for kids to check out--including loads of books, of course! Best of all? The kids section is on a different floor from the adult section, so yelling is ok!
Sophia and her betrothed in the animal bathtub...check it out--he's totally touching her butt!
Joseph coerced everyone--even a random tween!--into reading to him! That's one extroverted book lover!
Sophia petting the lion with Auntie Alice
Auntie Ruth brought Sophia over to check out the fishies!
She loved the big bear!
puzzles...
A little rocking-horse riding while another boy performs a puppet show!
Big Bear lovin'!
Showing Auntie Ruth the rocking horse
Ready to go home for a nap! These were two tuckered-out kiddos!
More adventures at Auntie Alice's farm and a play date with Aunti Ruth and Joseph AND a visit to Grammy's fitness center coming up tomorrow!
2nd Cousin Tim and his GF help Sophia boogey to her cousins' singing!
