It can’t get much worse, can it?

With Christmas behind us, and the trash cans full of enough wrapping paper to cover a small apartment, it was time to head north and begin our snowmobiling adventure. The previous days we had heard that a freak storm would be rolling through the Midwest and bring some warmer weather for a day or two. However our destination had roughly 2 feet of snow already on the ground. So surely a day in the 40’s-50’s couldn’t melt all of the snow…could it? We remained optimistic, but things weren’t looking good for the home team. After we arrived at Sara’s aunt and uncle’s house, a whole half day later than desired, we finished prepping all the snowmobiles so everything would be ready to go if the weather stayed favorable. We got 7 of the 9 sleds running as one was sidelined for some open heart surgery that week.

That night we took a quick ride to take advantage of the weather while it was there. Only problem is we were riding at night, which presents its own challenges while riding around through deep snow. What they don’t tell you in the commercials is that the sport is fun until you drift off of the trail and find yourself in deep snow. At this time you have to start digging around your buried machine, move around what feels to be a one ton beast, and then hope your track finds something solid to grab onto. Thankfully everyone in our group got to experience this heart pounding excitement at least once during the night. At one point, the first three sleds in the group got stuck, and everyone seemed to be helping get them out except one individual. He claimed he was getting himself unstuck, be we think he was just sitting there, watching us work.



The next day rolled around and the warm weather had moved in. This was evident from heavy fog, light rain, and the outdoor weather station reading 50. So as we watched the rain slowly melt away the snow Jason and I tiled the kitchen back splash for their aunt while her dad and uncle played doctor with the broken snowmobiles, since nothing screams Taylor Vacation like a good project or two.



That night the girls made their trek north, but endured pea soup conditions as they crawled along at 30 mph for the last 100 miles of the journey. Sara was a trooper as she navigated them in. By the next day, the cold weather had moved back in, however rain had clear off all the roads, making it impossible for us to ride to the nearby trails. Even if we could get there, the trails were not ride-able. So with the weather conditions not getting any better, we decided it was time to pack up and head to our next destination of the journey...Fort Wayne.

As luck would have it, we had no sooner gotten to Fort Wayne, when we received word that MI was beginning to receive snow. This snow would latter turn into several inches of snow...enough for everyone in Michigan to enjoy the thrill of riding snowmobiles again. I guess it was just waiting for us to leave...which was evident by the 50 mph winds that were pushing me along the highway. Even though the weather was not working in our favor, we still had a wonderful time w/ my family and our second Christmas. We were able to spend time with both of my sisters since they were both able to make it home; One from her first semester at Wittenburg, and the other from her 4 month stint in Switzerland. We spent a relaxing New Year's Eve with some close family friends, and were able to get a lot of good shopping done. Well, more Sara than me. I just kind of tagged along. We did receive a tip regarding a supply of Wii Fit games, so I can say that we are now the proud owners of the latest craze. It was defiantly entertaining to watch everyone try the hula hoop challenge. So I guess there was at least one shopping adventure I enjoyed. I also helped make cookies for the family one morning. Man...shopping, baking; what has gotten into me?

We also began the process of looking for baby "things". I guess more along the lines of decorations for the room than anything else. We still need to venture to create a registry for our unborn monster. However we already bought the main bedding as it was on clearance and just O SO CUTE! (don't you just love it Eric!) Of course not as cute as one of his/her's new little sports outfits that he/she can wear to his/her aunt's volleyball games next fall.



As the holiday season drew to a close it was time to head back home. We tried to wait it out for the TV installation guy to show up to my parents house...but he wasn't working with our schedule and we couldn't wait around any longer. So we packed up and headed out, only to be greeted by a call 15 mins later from my mom, telling us the TV guy was on his way over to their house. It makes you wonder if its just "us" sometimes.