At the farm in February

We had a very fun couple days up at the Saunders' farm. We'll have to start calling it the Saunders' resort - Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary completely spoil us! The few days were complete with the wonderful company of Mark, Mary, the Nohner family, Luke and his fiance, Megan, Mary's spectacular meals, tractor rides, sledding, hot tub fun, Valentine day candy hunts, lots of ping pong, etc. I think I've said it before, but it has been fun to go up to the farm the last couple years - I find all the fun memories flood back. It is even a bit surprising! The kids loved having the Nohners to play with - Faustina and Chase were practically inseparable.

We were able to go to mass at the Cayuga Church where the priest was terrific. He gave a great homily about Jesus' temptations in the desert, sin, and the abundant amount of grace which the sacrament of confession blesses us with.  I also have many memories of this small little church since it is right next door to the house my Grandparents lived in - many family gatherings in the basement of the church. Also, it is the place where my parents were married.

Mike and I stopped by the town bar where the very fiber of its construction is crumbling as we speak. It has about 30 broken tube t.v.s in it, the ceiling was caving in, the chairs were broken - it was one of those times that when we walked in, everyone stopped talking and stared at us! The owner looked like Santa Clause (according to Mike) but he said he remembered Carmen and Gail. He assured us that they were 'before his time' even though he looked way older than my parents!

It was a good weekend. Jude is officially 'farm boy' - he had a special attachment to Uncle Mark and is obsessed with the farm. Unfortunately, we were not able to spend time with Grandma as planned, she was sick and not up to visitors on Sunday. We missed seeing her and we'll have to try again...although probably not before this baby comes. Time is flying by!

Faustina and Jude kept asking Uncle Mark if he was going to make a bonfire since he made a HUGE one last time we visited. He didn't disappoint, even with all the snow and cold weather!

Steamy hot tub. The kids were in and out all the time.

Jude took his ice cream making quite seriously. He didn't leave its side. He kept packing down the ice for about 20 minutes or so. It was delicious, of course!

Uncle Mark took out this somewhat obnoxious singing fish that the kids (especially Anna and Jude) loved. All the adults would take it away from the kids...and then Mark would get it down for them again!