I do believe winter has come! We were told that once it arrives we will not see the blue sky and sun until spring. We were also told that 12 degrees here will feel like -30. They were partially right. It is REALLY cold here. The humidity does make everything seem much colder than in Colorado and if there is a wind it's twice as cold. The snow is called lake effect snow which is because of all the great lakes nearby (Lake Onterio for us). The lakes make the snow much wetter and heavier and also MUCH prettier. I am loving it! (Between shivers that is.)

These are just a couple of houses we drive by every day on the way to the temple. At night with all their Christmas lights reflecting off of the snow....it is magical.....post card perfect!

I have been intrigued with the icicles everywhere! They look deadly, but lovely.

This is right outside our bathroom window!

The shop across the parking lot from us.

We were told that New York is amazing at removing snow and it is true. They are out early every morning that it snows and plow the roads and parking lots and leave mountians of snow in the parking lots. Then on a day that isn't snowing, they load the snow into dump trucks and dump it into the canal. Quite a clever system. We have had several snow mountains dissappear and then in a day or two are replaced with new snow.

Snow mountians look like they would be so fun to play on...then Phil reminded me they get hard and crusty...ok, not so fun.

I can hear the Bing Crosby's 4 part song on the train in White Christmas singing....snow...snow...snow...snow....snow.....can you?

It's not quite to the window yet!

Our front door. They even have riding snowplows for the front walks which leave mounds of snow on the outside of the side walks.

No sleeping on this bench outside our door.

It was really funny, one day we parked facing our building instead of our backs to it and lo and behold....there was an ice machine! We had driven blocks to find one for Thanksgiving. I thought it appropriate to almost be covered with snow. I bet the ice stays nice and cold!

Don't worry about sending your parishables through the mail. They keep them refrigerated also.

Picnic anyone?

We traveled up to Ogdensburg this weekend and had an interesting experience. We had been told about bands of lake effect snow and saw it first hand. It was sunny when we left and then within minutes the sun got dark and snowed hard on us. I have tried to capture some of that here.

I do not think I have mentioned that up near Ogdensburg there are alot of Amish farms. Here was an Amish man traveling in the snow. This is the first time I have seen them NOT in a covered buggy. He probably wishes he had not taken the convertible out this day!

It was snowing harder and harder the farther we got. We were almost there before it got too bad and the drive home was clear the next day. I did not see this sign when I took the picture but thought it was funny seemingly hanging there in the middle of snow. We didn't park there!

More snow....
While you are mezmerized by the snow, I will tell you what happened one day last week. We were headed off to the temple as usual. I was ready a little before Phil and thought I would go on ahead and brush the snow off of our car so he wouldn't have to. I had no sooner started when my left foot hit some ice and down I went. Nothing like a grown woman rolling in the snow all dressed for the temple. I screamed as I went down. I am not sure why other than perhaps hoping that I could stop the fall by sheer sound....it didn't work. I layed there a moment wondering if I was hurt. Determining I wasn't, the next move was to get back up. I was so grateful no one had seen me. (Why are we embarassed by a fall?) When the door to the apartment facing the parking lot burst open and Elder Malan (another temple missionary couple) says. "Are you ok?" Well, I was until I knew they had seen it all! Now my sore muscles (which made themselves known soon after, were accompanied by hurt pride!) I said, "Can't a girl fall in peace?" He shook his head as if to say, "Women!" I was not going to mention it to Phil but did feel the need to take credit for the lovely snow angel I made. Later that day in the temple I had almost everyone ask me if I was alright. Our missionary grapevine is the best anywhere I have come to conclude. Consequently, I have been banned from going to the snowy parking lot alone! Life is so hard!

Where are all those amazing New York plows when you need one?

There he is. Wouldn't you know it....he's on the other side of the road.

These are some of the rock walls in Ogdensburg. Very pretty I think.

The St. Lawerence River is in the background.

Our little Chapel in the snow.

We woke up Sunday to sunshine. It was gorgeous! When we got home from church there were dozens of geese playing in the river. Some on an ice float. Phil called me into the living room to watch what was happening. There were about 25 ducks headed for the geese and it looked like two gangs (foul gangs at that... or should I say....fowl) going at each other head to head. I felt sorry for the dumb ducks because they were greatly out numbered and much smaller. They certainly had machismo.

I keep asking....aren't they suppose to fly south for the winter? We have geese everywhere here and I decided because of it I really wanted to have a Christmas goose for dinner. We found some at the store but they must be imported because they were almost $60! (We are having the traditional ham instead.)

This is where we live on weekends. Phil had the opportunity of shoveling snow when we got here Sat. night. He really misses doing it......I know, temple missionaries shouldn't lie!

Another view...

Have a wonderful Christmas and know we are thinking about you and you are in our hearts and prayers.