Junk

We went to the closing on the house today, and were not impressed with how much junk the former owners left... especially since they were already on the road, moving to Florida.  We spent the whole day collecting and moving all the rubbish out to the garage: 

It was seriously annoying, to have to move someone else's stuff out just in order to be able to get our own stuff in.  Thankfully there were three of us to do it, and 'their' realtor eventually got in touch with a relative to haul the stuff away. 

(They took a lot, but not all.  I think the rest is still in the garage....)

The Train Table

We spent a good part of the day in Medina (pronounced meh-DINE-uh, of course) at the train museum.  It's a very cool place.  The owner has a huge collection of train and firefighting memorabilia, plus an enourmous model train that takes up the whole place.  The volunteers make the models all themselves, and it's quite amazing. It even has places you can hit buttons and make things happen, as well as two separate tables just for kids to play. 

If you're ever in the area, you should go.  If you like trains, that is.  Even if you don't, it's still interesting. 

Pro Packer

I've done a lot of packing and organising in my life.  I've moved a lot, and I just can't stand things being disorganised for very long.  So Jen was lucky to have me around to do the dirty work and heavy lifting. 

This was my initial work in getting the boatloads of stuff from the hotel into the car to move to the house.  We added more later, not to mention the other car... but I'm good.  We only had to make one more trip, and for fitting three months of hotel life (including Christmas!) into two trips?  I should be a professional organiser. 

Silly Sausage

The kiddos are mental.  Seriously.  You need proof? 

What a goof.  =) 

And by the way, this is while we're eating fantastic subs at DiBella's.  Delicious.  Some of the best sandwiches ever.  Yum. 

I Follow Orders

We ate out.  A lot. 

The hotel served dinner to guests from Monday to Thursday, which was really nice.  Free food!  But we ended up eating out some of those nights, anyway, if Jen didn't like what they were serving.  In chatting with Paige on Facebook, she instructed me to go eat at Cracker Barrell for her. 

It was goooood. 

Swimmin'

The hotel had a pool (the 'cold pool') and a hot tub (the 'hot pool').  The kiddos were pretty wimpy, and so they spent most of the time with their equally wimpy mum in the hot pool-- although the did sometimes play with me in the cold pool.  Once they got out I swam some laps, and then got in the hot pool. 

It was always a nice way to spend an evening, before going back to the room for some American Pickers or Hoarders or Dog the Bounty Hunter, of course. 

Evening Commute

Since we were staying in a hotel close to downtown, we went around the city a lot.  One day (but luckily only one day) we got stuck in actual traffic on the interstate:

Still.  It could have been worse.

Ready For Launch

We spent the afternoon playing around at the Buffalo Museum of Science.  They had a Narnia exhibit that just opened today... but, to be fair, the whole experience was pretty underwhelming.  Ah well.

Sledding

Down the wee hill across the field beyond the car park... it would have been great, if it hadn't been 7*.

Mmmmmmmm

Chips and salsa.  Sweet tea.  Oh yeah. 

Winter Wonderland

We drove out to East Aurora to get Little People (or, 'old people', as Miss Moo calls them) at the Fisher-Price factory outlet store... but the drive was the better part. 

Suppertime

For the 10th anniversary of my sister and brother-in-law's first date, guess where we ate? 

Double-Decker

The kiddos have matching hats... which my sister decided to put on at the same time.  As one does, of course.

Frozen Falls

'Nuff said.  The bottom literally was frozen. 

Pin-Up Cat

She really thinks she's something. 

Hot and Cold

We've spent some time here, thanks to a swimsuit loaned from Carrie Becker (the hot pink one on the back of that chair--we're heading to the exercise room after a swim).  The big pool is usually pretty dang chilly, hence the Cold Pool.  Then there's the Hot Tub, which is nice until the bubbles are turned on-- then it becomes a foamy mess.  Not cool.  Literally and figuratively.  Still, it's good to have a place in the hotel to let the kids get out some of their extra energy. 

Niagara at Night

My first view.  Frozen falls.  Bitter cold, but gorgeous. 

McBrrrr

We're stuck in the hotel.  And it's getting way too small, with three adults and two wild kids... so we hit the PlayPlace.  Which is where I spotted these icicles.  Yes, it's cold here. 

But This Isn't Scottish!

Why is there a Scottie dog, wearing tartan, on something I couldn't ever buy in Scotland?!  Unfair. 

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

Although I must say, I'm glad to not have to be out in it.  It's flippin' freezing out there!

Building Ruff and Rough

Using gift cards from Santa, we hit the local Build-A-Bear today.  Both kids picked puppies, and both named them 'Ruff', although Jen decided to spell one differently so as to tell them apart.  Miss Moo was very happy to play along with the heart routine (if you haven't built a bear, that won't make any sense), but Bubbs wasn't so keen.

Not a Morning Cat

I feel your pain, Patchoule. 

Ect., Ect., And So Forth

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!  *deep breath*  hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! 

Bowling

It's all good family fun, til Daddy somehow manages to let Miss Moo drop her bowling ball on her toe... luckily this was before all that. 

His Biggest Love

We went to a Railroad Museum in Medina (pronounced meh-DINE-uh, of course) today.  The guy that owns it has been building the models and stuff for years and years, and also has collections of both railroad and firefighter goodies.  Fun times.  And the bubbs has decided to build a 'train tank' like this in his house, once they move in.  Good luck with that, bubbs.  ;)

Kind of Like Lynch's

Except this one actually IS grubby...

Welcoming Committee

The only good thing about moving home....

Amoose's Big Move

This is the stuff that's (hopefully) going on my flight to Toronto with me.  I'm only supposed to have one carry-on and no personal item, so I'm already over one bag.  And my carry-on is only supposed to be 5kg, and mine's 10kg-- plus the 5kg personal item.  So... I'm seriously hoping they don't call me on it.  And my wee Amoose-Bouche is making his first big trip.  Look for more from him as the year goes on.  Bear has done this before, so it's old hat for him.  And me.  But I'm not happy about it.

My Last Day

I spent it in the city centre, and seeing this film.  A good, but sad, day. 

Lunch Date

A couple of days ago, I got to have lunch with Kenny and Jacquie, one of his friends whom I've met several times and quite enjoy.  We came here, to the Old Schoolhouse.  I had haggis, neeps and tatties with a whisky cream sauce.  It was delicious.  But better than that was getting to see her before I left, and spending time with Kenny before I leave.  I just didn't think to take a photo til today.   

Joy To the World!

Happy New Year!  I was happy to see this in the city centre, sponsored by the Aberdeen City Council.  Oh, how I'll miss you, Scotland.