An Unexpected Trip to Canada

     As most of you know by now, Mark's grandma, Beppe, passed away a few weeks ago.  We made the trip up to Canada to be with the family and attend the services.  While it was a sad occasion, we are so grateful for the time we had with her and also that so many different family members gathered to say farewell.  All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were in attendance and we really enjoyed our time together.  Even Mark's cousin flew in from London, so that was special.
     We only really had one afternoon to play outside after all the services were finished, but what little time we had, Mark, Greg, and the children had a blast out in the cold.  They rode the racers behind the snowmobile, skated and played hockey on the frozen creek, and Marcus followed and copied Sam's every move.  Marcus loves all of his cousins, no doubt, but he's Sam's shadow every time they're together.  Alyssa crooned over Titus and Emma was adored by all.  Those three children are just so wonderful!  I miss them already. 
     Sunday, we left at 6am, drove through 7 or 8 hours of heavy snow and arrived safely at home around 10pm.  The boys were CHAMPS the whole way because that was no easy drive, by far.  And let me just say, my husband is an incredible driver because twice we almost wrecked, but he hung in there and straightened it back up.  He was patient with, well, everything, and was so strong. 
     So without further ado, here are pictures from our brief but sweet trip up North. 

We stopped just shy of Pittsburgh on the way up.  Here, the boys are just waking up while Mark was in the shower the next morning. 

How we kept the light out of Titus' eyes for a good portion of the trip.

It didn't take long for Aunt Ran to hear we were in town. :)

I told my sister this would happen, and sure enough, Titus had his first Timbits, compliments of Aunt Ran.

Titus: "Mom, is this ok?"
Aunt Ran: "Of course it is!  Do you wanna try chocolate this time?"

Grandpa and Titus, first thing Saturday morning.

Sweet boys (Marcus was beyond excited)

Seriously, he had a perma-smile on his face the whole time.

There he goes!

This sweet little gal didn't care much for riding the snowmobile, but enjoyed playing on her ice box.

"Goochie, goochie, goo!"

Skating with Uncle Mark

He shoots, he scores!

Uncle Greg showing him how it's done.

Group picture (everyone looks so great, EXCEPT Marcus, who was throwing a fit).

Back to sweet again...

Sunday morning, he slept in the car from 6-9am.  Notice the ice on the INSIDE of the side window (seriously).

Our view for a number of hours

But at least there were no cars at the border!

We were tracking the storm on my phone the whole way.  We couldn't get to Clarksburg (or below) fast enough, but thankfully, the Lord brought us safely through it.

The things you do to entertain little ones in a car...

He seriously was balancing it on his own.