Noquemanon Ski Marathon

skiers crossing the finsih line!

This weekend was the Noquemanon Cross Country Ski Marathon. Due to everyone setting up for this event, I had to park in the back of the dome. Little did I know that the empty parking lot when I went to work early in the morning would be turned into the finish line when I came out in the afternoon! Unable to pass up this opportunity that landed in my lap, I hustled to my car to get my camera (because after the Clydesdale incident, I do not leave home without it!) and captured some of the finishes! My favorite part was seeing the snotcicles that were over an inch long hanging off of beards!!! I was disaapointed in the lack of a crowd at the finish line for these amazing, crazy, but amazing athletes. Who in their right mind runs a marathon? Let along on a pair of skis in the SNOW?! Oh snowbirds are a unique breed!

WINTER

This weekend we had some lake effect snow make an appearance, dropping 8” during the day, 8” at night, and 8” more are expected tomorrow. Due to the extremely cold temperatures (-30 and lower), the snow is extremely light and powdery! I took advantage of the new snowfall to hit up Presque Isle and take some pictures of the clean, untouched snow! Being careful not to fall, I wandered out onto the breakwall until I noticed I was walking on pure ice and was alone. Slipping and falling into an icy Lake Superior was not on my list of things to do today. Right before I was ready to leave a few others came out with their cameras as well.

Pictures of this fun adventure can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Street.Jenna/MQTJanuaryWinter?feat=directlink

Doghouse and Learning to Snowboard?!

After a long week at work, Amy and I decided it was time to unwind and have some fun!

Saturday night: The Doghouse. A group of friends (Dani, Shane, Amy, Justin, me, and some new ones made that night), a deck of cards, and a table. These are the ingredients of a absolutely wonderful night. Whenever cards come out, others always want to join in…and who are we to stop them? A game of Kings that started out with 4 people ended up having 8 at one point! (me, Amy, Justin in picture above)

After a few rounds of Kings, we decided to call it a night. Justin, Amy, and I walked home, but first thought it would be appropriate to stop and make some snow-angels!

Sunday: I decided to take everyone’s advice and try to learn to snowboard the right way. I rented a board and signed up for a private lesson. I started out with my left foot forward and halfway through the lesson I did something and ended up going down the bunny hill with my right foot forward and that felt soo much better. So the second half of the lesson I was riding “goofy” which felt much more natural. After the lesson I went back on the bunny hill to show off my new mad skills to Amy and I bit it, I bit it HARD. And then I bit it HARD, again. And then I was done. Snowboard was put away and I pulled my skis out of the car.

The first time I bit it, I landed straight on my butt and it knocked the wind out of me. The second time I fell I landed on the exact same spot of my butt. Oh my golly is my bum in pain right now!!!

Overall it was an extremely fun, stress-relieving weekend!

Skiing

Amy and I met Colby at Marquette Mountain this afternoon to hit the slopes for awhile. They snowboard, I ski…on antiques. I have officially committed myself to purchasing a new pair of skis this winter! I plan on demo-ing some this weekend and hopefully making the purchase sooner than later! Nothing can replace the smooth feel of gliding with speed over pure white snow! I love skiing, but that chair lift ride could be safer…and the people in front don’t need to bounce so much! The picture above was taken from the chairlift. After skiing, we had pulled pork for dinner. I cooked it for 12ish hours in my crock pot...it was DELISH! I officially declare crock pot season OPEN!!!

Xmas and New Years with My Man!

What a week full of family, food, sleep, games, and presents! Christmas #1 in Ohio with my mom’s side of the family. 22 people, 3 labs, 1 house, endless chatter! Ice storm hit that night and thus we ended up having my grandparents stay overnight so they didn’t drive in the ice. We later found out the interstate was closed. That night was a house-wide slumber party: 12 people, 3 dogs, and guitar hero.

Christmas #2 on Christmas day with the family and the crooked tree! New ski gear from the parents and brothers…helmet, goggles, jacket…I’m ready to go!!! Wonderful dinner prepared by my father; what a cozy day!

Christmas #3 on New Years Eve with Mike. Prior to driving to Mike’s, my mom, dad, Chad and I went to the University of Michigan verses University of Wisconsin basketball at UofM. I called Henry who hooked me up big time with tickets…front row right behind the bench! Picture above is me and my mom in our seats. And yes, I have two red "W" on my cheeks! It was awesome.

After the game, I headed straight up to Mikes. We went out to dinner with the usual group, then split up. Everyone else headed to the New Years Eve party and Mike and I headed back to his place to do our Christmas. He made me a fireplace, hung stockings by the fire with care, and went jewelry shopping. Needless to say he had me at the fireplace, but pulling a little gold bag with a little box inside from behind the tree was completely unexpected!!! I placed the present in my ears and we headed out the party to ring in the New Year. Finally, I got to spend New Years with Mike!!! The first in 3 years!!! Me, Mike, Sadie in front of the fireplace!!!

Today I drove back up to Marquette in a HUGE lake-effect snow storm. My little red Ford Focus with its new tires did well…we (the car and I) arrived to my apartment in one piece.