Sioux Falls Christmas

We headed up to Sioux Falls this year for Christmas! The best part was raiding the Siefer's closet for warm clothes so that we could take the sledding challenge over at Tut Hill!

Sleds at the ready -- check!

Sister-in-laws in one sled --- check!

Husbands being wussy and just watching for their own pure delight -- check!

While I don't have a picture of our landing down at the bottom of the hill, I have to assure you it was amazing and filled with lots of screaming!

Marianne, put together a beautiful tree -- with a new motif this year.

And of course the traditional gift-opening was great fun with Marianne and John. I have to say that they just weren't as excited about all of the "finds" Jeremy and I discovered at the Dollar Tree and then packaged up for them as stocking stuffers. Who knew velcro could come in so many colors!!!

Awww, cute family shot... the two married couples!

Christmas involved lots of eating!! I think this prime rib was the jewel in Marianne's crown of accomplishments for the week....

But dang if this Bing Cherry stuffed french toast didn't amaze me too!

She even brought the Bing cherries back from their recent trip to Wisconsin to use them in this recipe... that is love!... and for me it should definitely become a new Christmas tradition!

Okoboji Winter

While we were up in South Dakota for Christmas with Jeremy's family we took a day to drive over to Okoboji. It is where we were married in July of 2007. Only, it looked VERY different this time. I was amazed to see the snow --- we had to hike through knee high drifts to get to the house!

And long gone was the clear water...it was replaced with ICE! The whole lake was iced over. I guess this is where my Texas roots put me at a disadvantage... because I was amazed at all things winter on this trip... including: snow blowers, shoveling snow, ice fishing, and more!

Jer woke up early in the morning to take some beautiful shots of the lake.

There were a few cold souls already up with an auger -- drilling their hole for their ice fishing hut.

I finally woke up -- borrowed some winter gear and we were off to explore!

...so these are how mittens work!

...ready for the cold -- bring it on!

So crazy to see the water iced over -- when we were just jet skiing in this cove this summer!

I climbed up to the Eagle that graces "Eagle Point".

...and made the obligatory snow angel!

Then we headed back home that evening....

...across the frozen tundra!

It was so beautiful to see the winter season in full effect -- but I have to admit -- I am loving my 70 degree temps back home too!