Burrrr

It's been in the low 30s during the day and 20s during the night for the last week. We still have snow and ice. Most of it is just ice which makes walking to school downright treacherous. It's been one of those weeks where I wish I could have skipped it altogether. Gabe has been keeping a tally of how many times he has fallen on the ice on the way to school. He is on number 7! I think I would do better with a pair of ice skates then "wellies". On Tuesday, we were half way to school when Avery got sick right on the bright white snow! So, I sent the boys on ahead and turned around to take Avery back home. She stayed in bed all day. The next day it was Ian's turn but he got sick at school. Thankfully, the principal gave us a ride home because I had no idea how I was going to carry a sick boy across the ice home. Gabe informed Mrs. McKenna on our way home that he was keeping a tally of how many times he fell down on the way to school and then as we got out of her car his feet slipped right out from underneath him. Mrs. McKenna said, "Well, Gabe another one for your track record!" So far Elise has only has come down with a bad cold and Gabe is well. Let's hope it stays that way.

Keeping our house warm has been a bit of a challenge. I have never been so cold. We have oil heat with radiators which we have set to come on periodically throughout the day. We keep the doors shut to all the rooms to retain some of the heat. We also have two fire places which we have been lighting during the evenings. I have never worn so many layers. The kids all have their long johns on constantly. The positive side to it is that I don't have to refrigerate drinks or butter and most things left out on the kitchen counter stay cool. It's also very nice to have a cozy fire with the smell of peat burning.

Urban Legend

Yes, growing up we heard the stories of how our grandparents and parents walked uphill in the snow to school, both ways. We have proof that this can and is true. Gabe and Avery walking to school.

Walking home from school.

Try pushing a $20 wal-mart stroller through this stuff...I just have to laugh at how ridiculous we looked.

More Snow

Last night we got another light dusting of snow. We took a walk around the neighborhood to view the city in white.

Ian and Gabe making snow angels. Need a bit more snow?

Our street.

Our Feast

After school we started our preparation for our dinner. We found a little turkey crown that fit perfectly into our oven. Our menu included turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, corn bread muffins, dinner rolls, corn, and cole slaw. Then we ended with pumpkin pie with whipping cream.

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without family. This Thanksgiving we are so thankful for technology! So, even though we are thousands of miles away from family we got a chance to skype and wish our families, "Happy Thanksgiving." What a blessing!

We were also blessed to have a co-worker of Cam's who teaches sciences at St. Lousie's who happens to be an American citizen as well as Irish join us in our celebrations. It has been awhile since she has had a Thanksgiving dinner. The kids especially loved having Deirdre over and welcomed all the attention that she gave them. We are blessed to have these experiences here in Northern Ireland and even though it feels different to celebrate the Holidays without the friends and family that normally surround us we feel God's love as He cares and provides for us in a strange land.

Teaching An American Thanksgiving

On Tuesday and Thursday of this week the Primary 3 class (Gabe's class) invited me in to teach them a bit about an American Thanksgiving. We learned a little of the history and the why behind Thanksgiving. Then we made autumn place mats to be laminated and taken home.
We finished with coloring sheets of the different Thanksgiving foods and then ate some corn bread muffins which was a new taste to many of the students.

I had fun teaching and learning a little more about the classroom environment in Northern Ireland. They are a great bunch of learners and very accepting of an American accent.

Thanksgiving Day

There is nothing like pumpkin pie and snow on Thanksgiving Day! Our first time to experience snow on a Thanksgiving Day. Of course it's our first to experience going to school on Thanksgiving Day also! We woke up to just a bit of snow on the ground with ice crystals on top of that. The kids were thrilled and walking to school only added to it. We glided (stroller included) into the school yard right as the bell rang. Elise and I will head back up to Gabe's classroom this afternoon to teach a little bit about an American Thanksgiving and then we will head home to prepare our little "feast".

Scrabo Tower

Here are some views from up top of Scrabo Hill. This area overlooks the Strangford Lough and on clear days you can see Scotland and the Isle of Man. The word Scrabo is said to come from the Gaelic words for cow pasture. There is evidence of what used to be a Dominician monastic estate on the hill. The tower was made as a monument for a well known and respected Marquis in 1857.


After the tower was built, William McKay, a foreman at the quarry lived there with his wife and eight children! The tower stayed in their family for 100 years where they ran a very popular tea room. It is now a part of the Country Park for Northern Ireland.
There were many trails around the hill which gave us breathtaking views of the countryside.