Laura would like to Thank Oma and Opa

At least someone cares enough to take gorgeous pictures of me and send them to my parents.

Apologies to Laura

I'm sorry Laura, but our camera is on the blink just as you start to eat food, so we have no cute videos of you happily messing with porridge and turnip and rice. Not haggis, despite it being Burns Night. Anyway, it's not that we don't love you or think you are just as cute as your sisters. It is all Samsung's fault.

Pleasing things to do on a Sunday Night

Polish the boots and shoes by the dying embers of a coal fire.

?

?something wrong with this pic taken today?

The Worst Winter in .....Years

So says the BBC. That's like saying, "This is the worst feast I've ever been to. It's non-stop food and drink" Or, "This is the worst summer in 34 years. For 3 weeks it has been sunny and warm, with birds singing and crops growing" It is a glorious, beautiful, cold, snowy winter, just as it should be. It is not Winter's fault that people still drive as if it is August, or that the Road Maintenance departments are not clearing and salting the roads and sidewalks effectively. The snow has lightened and brightened Aberdeen's grey. And we've been sledding at dusk, having a fabulous time.

Unexpected Visitors and Expected Birthdays

Granda turned 72 last week and we showed up for some pizza and cake and good times.

And Wednesday, the feast of the Epiphany, we had unexpected visitors arrive. Not 3 wise men, but 3 sly Foxes (plus 1 Foxy Mum, and the next day, after a treacherous road trip, one Foxy Dad)! The snow and rail conditions stopped them from getting home to Inverness, so they came to us for 2 nights, and we had a great time with them.

A Few Shards of Ice Skating

This afternoon's ice skating. Ailsa did go on her own, and at a fair glide a bit later on. But the rink officials stopped FragileBackDad from taking any more videos from behind the boards.

She Won't Show You so I Will

Look at that chocolatey face! And what Mahalia was enjoying so much was a chocolate chestnut yule log with hand drawn paper decorations. Recipe from Marie-Odile, translation by Bruno, made by Bethanne, decorated by girls. Thank you!