Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snoooow....

(That's right--It's a White Christmas Singalong!)

One thing the island doesn't get often is snow.

But this weekend... That's exactly what we got. It began Sunday morning--and we rushed out to greet it thinking it would be gone before we knew it.

The next morning (with a complimentary six hour power outage somewhere in there) , we were still seeing flakes hit the ground.

Aside from the power-outage, I must say it was pure magic. Being from IL, we do miss our snow and this was the perfect kind--with beautiful fluffy flakes that just kept coming and coming, and a curious, beautiful, wide-eyed toddler to experience it all.

We've had such a good time playing in it. As you can see we managed to find a sled to use, and Carolyn loves to be pulled around the yard by Daddy (sometimes Mommy). I love the picture of her catching snow on her tongue--just look at the magic in her eyes!

So we might not have a white Christmas, but for a few magical days we have our own winter wonderland, and we love it!

(With one minor complaint and that is that people who don't deal with snow often.... don't know what the heck to do with it...... But that's ok. It's still magic as long as I don't need to drive.)

Catching snow-flakes on her tongue 

A whole new landscape 

Heavy tree branches 

Whee! 

It doesn't get better than this. 

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving... Though it wasn't without the usual R. Family quirks. Papa and Shari came for a quick visit and we so enjoyed having them. Thanksgiving Day we shared a feast with them and some of our very favorite people from here on the island.

Since we won't be able to be with them for Christmas, they brought a little bit of it to us early. Carolyn was absolutely delighted with the goodies that they spoiled her with (she still hasn't stopped carrying around her dolly).

And... as for those quirks--what holiday would be complete without a trip to the ER? Andy made sure that ours included that essential when he tangled with a light-fixture in our walk-in closet. At least he got five stitches out of the deal.

Carolyn investigating her loot. 

An Early episode of Christmas--Papa and Shari brought some holiday cheer our way early. 

Andy looking hard-core after his fight with the light-fixture. The delight of holiday ER trips. 

Papa and Carolyn rocking togehter 

WE DID IT!!!!!

We did it!!!! Today was the day of the Boston Area Lung Cancer Walk/Fun Run with satellite walkers all over the U.S! The three (four) of us happened to be some of those satellite walkers.

And... Well... WE DID IT!!!! We reached our goal! We aimed high--at first we thought too high. But so many wonderful, generous people came through that we actually SURPASSED our goal and we don't even have all of the donations that are coming by mail!

Not only that, but the walk itself raised over $97,000 for Lung Cancer research! Can you believe that????

It was a beautiful day here despite the fact that our area has been hit with constant rain and record-breaking flooding all week long. The sun came out for us. We hit the trails at our favorite state park, and I swear parts of the walk felt magical. The air was hazy with fog, and as we would turn into the forest we got those beautiful Robinhood movie forest streaks of light coming through the trees and dappling the ground.

We got a little lost, which is our custom, but found our way out again. We walked with our friends from Boston. We walked with people all over the country....

And as a result of all of those walkers and the generosity of so many who pledged over $97,000 will go to Lung Cancer Research.

I am just so happy.

Ready to walk! 

Just me 

We couldn't have asked for a better day. 

Just beautiful 

Our little walker. 

The three of us along the way