Saranac Inn

You will find some of the nicest people in the North Country in the little community of Saranac Inn (my Mom and Chris being first on the list of course). Just down the road from them, on a quaint little pond live "Father" Bob and "Sister" Kit. I put their titles in quotations because they are retired from the church, but for some reason those titles stay with you forever. Every year they deck their house out to the max for Christmas...and I mean the MAX. They should be featured on one of those TV shows about over-the-top Christmas decorators. (My Aunt Donna would call them "Christiclazians" as well because I have noticed that a lot of the decorations are up all year...I love that term!)

Anyway...getting back to our adventure...they live on a little pond and Kit keeps a little ice rink cleared all winter. In her basement she has collected an enviable assortment of ice skates, just for those visitors who might be in need of a little fresh air and adventure. (I am a little embarrassed to report we do not have ice skates, so this came in handy.) On Sunday, Mom called and asked if we wanted to come and skate. Josh had a bunch of homework to do and I needed to get the kids out of the house, this was perfect. The sun was shining, the air was clean and crisp, and the only people there to witness our follies were family, you can't ask for more! The kids did great and had a wonderful time, although the highlight for them might have been plowing the pond with Chris on the four-wheeler. (click on the Picasa link to the right for more pictures)

Hold on tight!

Somehow I caught her just right.

Lennon, Libby and Great-Grandma.

Only Colton would try push-up on the ice, thank you toe-picks!

Colton in charge!

I wouldn't let that face drive! Would you?

Carnival 09'

Monday evening after work, karate and pizza at Mr. Mikes we made our annual excursion to the Ice Palace. This year due to some bitter temperatures ice blocks were plentiful. We have a large palace with tunnel and maze on the back, a Pirate Ship complete with masts (one of which they caught on fire at the lighting ceremony...fireworks!), down near the lake they built a little tower with a wooden door and lounge chairs outside, and at the park by the town hall we have a ice pyriamid. We had a great time, Lennon met a friend from school and disappeared for a minute but other than that it was fun. We might have stayed longer but we were all a bit tired and someone (I won't mention who) forgot the bag with snowpants, hats, gloves, etc and we got cold quick. The plan was to go into town and get some daytime shots this week, I love the color of the ice in the sunshine, however due to the 45 degree weather and rain all afternoon I'm not sure it will look so good (or that we'll be allowed near it). Here are a few of my favorites from that night!

Who knows it might still be pretty...stay tuned!

"I just can't wait!"

This is what happens when you have spent all day waiting for people to come over for the Super Bowl...and it just so happens to be your "Birthday Weekend"...

another picture for the photo album, "Lennon Sleeps"!

Getting close...

What better way to pass the time during the long Adirondack winter than a really, really, really hard puzzle. My Grandma and I have been spending hours bent over, noses in the rubble, sorting and sifting, begging for the right pieces to float into place. Sometimes you can hear every tiny sound her house makes, and if you listened hard enough you might even hear the snow piling up on my car. Other times, (most of the time) we're chatting, drinking tea, cheering our little accomplishments, and keeping her little dog Libby occupied (i.e. throwing her toy over and over and over again). As you can see we're getting close, but not there yet. It will be hard to put away...but we have to have room for the next one, right?

Overnight guests

I sit here in the middle of chaos. Not just the normal Clement chaos, but the Clement chaos mixed with the Lewis chaos. Kyle (8) and Adam (2) spent the night with us last night so their Mom and Dad could have a nice evening. Four kids is not as bad as you might think except when the youngest isn't yours and you have no idea what he might get into. Adam is a sweet boy and actually very well behaved, but I get a little nervous leaving him in the living room or letting him play with the big kids upstairs. I'm constantly running around to make sure he's okay, only to find him sitting in Colton's toy box playing with a truck or lounging on the couch with his blanket and sippy cup.

Nap time

Such a tough life!

Making new friends...

Yep, that's me and Josh in the middle! Do you maybe recognize the faces on the left and right?

Alright, lets start at the beginning. Last summer while having a glorious dinner, by ourselves, in Ocean City, MD, Josh handed me an envelope with an itinerary for a future trip in December. He had booked a room in Atlantic City, NJ at a very posh casino, The Borgata. We would enjoy massages at the spa and dinner at the restaurant of my choice and then go to a show, all of this happening in one building! (The two men above being the stars of said show, any ideas?) We were at the end of one of the most amazing meals, looking out over the bay as the sun set and here he is setting up the next adventure...I love him!!!

When we get home I look over the website, we book hot stone massages at the spa and dinner for two at Bobby Flay's Steak House. I have been giddy with excitement for months about this trip. To make what could be a very long story short, the massages were amazing...I only wish we could have had more time to take advantage of the spa itself...dinner was everything I hoped it could be, and then some.

After dinner we went into the Music Box, found our seats and got ready for the show. We chit-chatted for a bit when Josh says, "I still know something about this trip you don't." Just a simple as that. I looked at him, "What in the world are you talking about?" He then pulled out of his back pocket two after-show back stage passes! All of a sudden I was nervous, excited, stunned, confused and happy all at once. The show that followed was great, they we're really funny, in ways I didn't expect (not personally being familiar with their comedy albums). More importantly they were amazingly hospitable back stage, even recording a quick intro for Josh's new band.

We made it home today after a long 7 and 1/2 hour drive, happy to have had a great time and an outstanding family to pull together to allow us to go. Now I ask the big question. Are you still floundering around in your memories (or google), or do you know who my "mystery men" are? If you click on all of the links you might get a little help. I don't have a prize but I'd love to see who figures it out first! (Thanks for the competition idea Kate...even though I had no hope at your's.)