Winter Wonderland

Yvonne and I took a last minute trip to Indiana this past weekend. Her mom flew us out so we could see the family since we already had plans for Christmas weekend. Despite the cold, ice, snow, and freezing rain, it was great!
We arrived Saturday afternoon and that evening I experienced my first Christmas cookie making marathon. I didn't realize how much work goes into making sugar cookies! Another batch to decorate?! Don't we already have 50 made? Sheesh!

This is Yvonne's nephew, Drew. I think this is the only pose he knows how to make for the camera. Apparently he has expert knowledge about bugs and placed high in an entimology competition. We tested him by quizzing him on the classifications of a lot of insects. It reminded me of my seventh grade Stanley Clark bug project.

I think Dan is sick of making cookies, too.

After the third or fourth batch, I discovered that if I cut a small hole in a plastic bag, I could create my own frosting tool. That's where the cookies took an interesting turn. I of course had to represent the Jews and made a menorah and some stars of David. There was also an evil dove, a snowman with a suit and tie, and a retro fish. Who knew I had a talent for decorating Christmas cookies!

I tried to stay positive despite the freezing weather and my "snow boots" that weren't made for snow and my "winter coat" that was made more for San Diego winters. This is the best I could come up with.

Yvonne didn't really hide her anger at the weather as you can see.

Oh, here's a nice one. See, we're not bitter! (bitter cold, maybe)

On Sunday, we had breakfast at a little place in Niles, Michigan. This is Yvonne's mom and uncle. After we ate, everyone insisted on standing outside and talking for about half an hour. Um, we could have sat at the table and done this! We have San Diegans here, people! I think it was apparent to everyone that I was not used to this weather anymore as I stood in the corner next to the door, shivering. I'm glad I gave them a good laugh.

Yvonne's cousin, Jen. I think she's really just using Jen's body heat to keep warm, but she insisted that she was posing.

After breakfast, we headed out. But not before passing a little place on US31 in Niles that brings back so many memories of my adolescence. Yes, we passed what used to be the Midnight Sun. For those of you who know this place, you will appreciate what it has become. A SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER! Apparently they figured a great place to have kids come to learn would be a nightclub where kids used to dance, smoke, and do a number of other unmentionables. Great choice, guys. Oh, the irony.

For those of you that endured your teenage years in the great city of South Bend, you may recognize this picture. Look closely.

That's right, it's Penn High School.

Oh, but we didn't just drive by. No, we went inside. Yvonne's cousin had a basketball game there. I don't think I have been inside since I graduated almost, oh geez, nine years ago.

So many tortured memories (particularly of this gym where we were forced to attend pep rallys and participate in "phys ed"). I tried to go to the main entrance way of the school but they had it blocked off. But, I did find my freshman year locker. You know, the school is just as big as I remember.

On Sunday night, we had dinner with the fam. These are Yvonne's newphews, Zach and Drew.

This is Yvonne's niece, Harley. She was apparently afraid of the camera and this is the best shot I got. She is an identical image of her mother, it's almost eerie.


This is Yvonne's other niece, Trinity. I think she is the cutest little girl I have seen in a long time. In this picture she's saying "princess". Adorable.

On Monday, we planned to surprise all of our friends that didn't know we were in the Bend. First was Kara. I told her to be home Monday morning because a special package was to arrive. Of course she forgot all about it and was sleeping when we knocked at 10am.

She actually came downstairs in a towel and then ran back up and put on her shirt (backwards). It was great.

Then we went to Sara's, who was also sleeping. Yvonne went into her room to surprise her while Dan and I stood in the living room. We heard Sara say "I'm completely naked but I don't care!" Surprises are so much fun.

We planned to surprise Tricia that night when she got off work. So, we shopped during the day and then headed over there later. It was also her birthday so we knew she was going to freak out. When we got there and she saw us, she kept saying "shut up!" and walking through the doors to her apartment, shutting them on us. I really think she believed she was hallucinating.

We all had dinner that night at Outback Steakhouse.

We headed back to Tricia's after dinner and had to play some Euchre. It's always a blast when Tricia and Yvonne are partners in Euchre. If you've played with them, you know what I'm saying.

On Tuesday, we hung out at Yvonne's grandma's house. We played some chess and then went to her aunt and uncle's house to see their new Xbox 360. Pretty nice.

After dinner we went to Jenni's and Kara's (Jenni lives below Kara in the same house). It was great to see Jenni. Of course there was more Euchre to be had.

Jenni's kitty is cute.

Gotta love her.

Jenni was in the mood to show her butt that evening.

We had a bit of fun with Kara who was very intoxicated after drinking an entire bottle of wine (go Kara!). Here's the progression:

Oh, it's funny!

It's so funny I'm going to fall over!

Um, I don't feel so well, guys.

I sleep now.

Now that's a trip to the Midwest.