Monday, December 27

I think I was the last one to get up this morning. We played a little Wii (basketball and water skiing), ate some cereal and then bundled up to go walk around the little town. On the way we picked up the neighbor girl. She had to get dressed in her winter gear so we went into their courtyard where they had a big pile of snow. The girls started sledding down the hill and we ended up never going for our walk. We played for several hours. The neighbor dad and brother came out and we ended up having a huge snowball fight. At first it was everyone against the dad, but then the son switched to his dad’s team so it was girls against boys. Somehow only the dad could make snowballs so we started using shovels to dump snow on him in ambush and steal his arsenal of snowballs. It was a blast!

They have a pool in their backyard, so we took a break and went back there to see the pool then went to see the deer. About that time, Mark called to say the tractor was stuck and needed our help, so I pulled the son on the sled as we walked back to the house. Mark got the tractor unstuck and Nancy and I went to shovel out the back gate so food could be brought for the deer. We got that unstuck, then had to clear away the iron gate to the deer pen. The deer were so hungry they were coming right up to us, which Nancy said was very unusual. We had to throw snow at them to keep them from getting too close or getting out. Later, a big tractor came with a load of hay for the 14 deer. Nancy said they need to buy another deer so they don’t inbreed too much. I’m not sure what they’re going to do with the deer, but they’re pretty. She said the white one is very unusual.

I made a snow angel and then the neighbors left. The girls were making an igloo and wanted me to help, but I begged off and went inside with Nancy. The girls were soon to follow. We played monopoly, Wii Dance (I won three times, but didn’t beat Helena. I don’t think I hold the controller correctly so it can read my motions.), pick up sticks (I beat Helena twice and am VERY proud of that!!! She always wins! :)).

I got to skype the family and talk with just about everyone. The kids are getting so big!