We've had a couple great snow storms already and it's only December. I think this winter wants to make up for last year's mild winter! Thursday I had a FUN four hour drive home from school in the midst of what's known as a WHITE OUT which means it's snowing so hard you can't really see much beyond your front bumper. Then Sunday, church was canceled due to another snow storm, this time teh snow came with winds too! FUN FUN! All I can say is we're definately having a white Christmas in New England, but we'll be headed home to Virginia where we hear the temperatures have been in the 70s! CRAZY!
Here's a shot of some of the aftermath of the storms around our house. More pictures will be coming so you can feel like you are here enjoying the weather with us. Oh and to top it all off...only ONE SNOW DAY so far! Not even a delay...like everyone keeps saying "welcome to the north".
We found these hilarious fighting holiday pens and made sure to buy a few because they were so entertaining!
Can't have tea without CRUMPETS! What's a crumpet? We decided it's like a combination of a pancake and an English muffin. Very interesting, but tasty too.
Captain Blake was honored to swear Adam in. 
Here is Adam saying the oath.
We got to catch up with even more people than just those who made if up to the cabin. We were able to catch up with Pete and Amy as well as Stacey, Jen, Andrew and Amanda at our table. It was also fun to see all the newly married couples like the Needhams and the Bakers too. Then of course we got a wonderful update on how well Chi Alpha is doing since we all left UVA. It's awesome to hear what God is doing on the UVA campus and how the fellowship has grown! 
Here's the crowd Friday evening hanging out on cabin's wonderful porch! It was most festive.
Adam and his dad doing what they do best as they listen to college football on the radio and Adam reads a religion book.
Haley and I went out to play photographer. Of course she really IS a photographer, where as I was just having fun and getting pointers from a professional. Lucky me to have a best friend who knows what she's doing behind the camera lens!
The creek! Oh the memories we've had over the year falling into the creek as we play on the rocks. This year the water was low, so instead of trying to walk on the rocks Haley and I let our shadows do all the walking. Check out these fun shots!
Next year we want to get a bigger group together to take some more shots!
Drum roll please! That's right Evan and Amy are ENGAGED! Check out that rock and the proud man in the background! Congrats guys! Amy and I will officially be sister-in-laws, YAY!
The new future Herndon siblings. Evan, Amy, Jessica and Adam 
I was all emotional after Amy told me the engagement story and then asked me to be a bridesmaid! AHHH I feel honored!
Granny even stopped by for a visit.
And last, but certainly not least...My sister arrived Sunday with her friends since she had a band competition the day and night before. So we had a few hours to hang out, but hopefully she'll be up to visit us for Thanksgiving. 
So I guess because of the lack of rain this year apple "picking" season was cut short, instead it became and an apple "scooping" trip since the last few apples had been picked off the trees and the rest had already fallen to the ground.
She's listened to the CD for the past three years and even read the book after recieving them as a 21st Birthday. Now, she'll finally get to see it in action!
Friday (Day 1), Thais had to work so we had one on one time with Heath. Heath gave us our very own walking tour on Chicago's architectural highlights. Then we got to tour parts of Chicago's UNDERGROUND when we went to pick up their car, which has been towed earlier, from the Autopound! While we were "underground" we learned that parts of the new Batman movie are being filmed around Chicago's underground. You may not believe it, but we even caught a glimpse of a Gotham Cab. Check it out! 
That night we ate at a fantastic Italian restaurant, Dinotto. Yum! 
And we finally made it to a Second City Show. Hilarious! I loved it! Jess wants to know where she can audition?? 
Saturday (Day 2), Jess slept in while Adam CHOSE to go for an 18 mile run with the Carters who have been training for the Chicago Marathon that's coming up in October. The question everyone keeps asking, "Has Adam been training for a marathon?" The answer: "NO, but he has been running." Well he DID it! He ran all 18 miles and still had a breath to spare! So after some recovery time and a proud pat on the back from his wife, we were off to Gino's for deep dish pizza (a well deserved treat for the runners for sure). That night we all just relaxed around the Carter's new place.
Sunday (Day 3), After visiting the Carter's church and seeing all the exciting changes that are going on there, we were off to Michigan for their friend, Lisa's 30th birthday celebration. This is the part of our trip that Thais says "broke the tourist mold" and it did! We got to stay at a beautiful cabin on Lake Michigan where we slept four to a bed. Man do I wish I had a picture of that. We were like pigs in a blanket lined up on a breakfast plate. We even got to listen to a REALLY rockin' folk band, The Corn Fed Girls. 
We had such a great time and we can't wait for our next big city adventure! This trip will definately be a hard one to beat.