pre-hangover-hockey activities in canada!

Ben and I drove up to Canada a day before everybody else, mostly because ben has to fly away to the canary islands again right after newyears. the cabin was warm and cozy when we got there, thanks to the Daubs. perfect!
there was a layer of frozen snow over everything, and the lake seemed mostly frozen (although we didn't feel confident enough to test it)
--- Dec 27 ---
in the morning we decided to try and build a snowman -- my very first ever. traditionally, you're supposed to start with a small snowball, and roll it until it becomes as large as you want (yes, like you see in cartoons). in practice, the snow wasn't the exact type of snow for that, or so we thought.
we started with the base:

then, i made a head-size ball for the head, and we decided to try and roll it in the snow, see what happens.
soon enough, it became so big, it was too heavy to be lifted onto the base!

and here is the solution to that problem -- we built a ramp, from two benches stacked and a couple of wood boards, and carefully rolled the giant ball up:

...and the head was easy, after this!


the snowman needed a companion and a place to hang out at, so we also built a snow cat and a snow bar!

we had some help with the roof from Mat&Erin, and of course the SPRITZER MEISTER :)

the last picture is in the last morning, after Sandy's birthday-snow covered everything with a few inches of powder...

--- Dec 28 - Sandy's birthday ---
the 5 of us hiked up a small river and got to beaver dam. grady ran up and down hills and in and out the stream, chasing sticks and other imaginary friends, as usual. the rest of us just struggled with knee-deep snow, and admired the variety of icicles :)

a pile of logs / firewood


icicles


the dam, Gary (thinking about whether or not to try walking on the mostly frozen beaver pond) , rabbit footprints, and view to lake Granary.

for her birthday, Sandy asked for a snow storm, and got one. unfortunately, it kept Kevin&Megan in detroit till the next morning.
Matt&Erin and Jack&Luann arrived in the evening, and helped some with the snowbar (see above), after which we had dinner and birthday cake. mmmmmmmmmmmm :)


Last but not least, we absolutely LOVE the new addition to the cabin -- a soft, comfortable, colorful couch, which was the only thing missing!


too bad we had to leave so early. i hope everybody enjoys dave's traditional newyear's-eve-game-cookout, and the hangover hockey that follows :)

sharonim -- i can't help but reflect over the adventures of last year, and i miss you all a lot!