If you are a penguin, -38 is downright balmy

This is my (Kevin) first crack at the "blog thing". While I always enjoy reading Lyndsay's insightful and informative blogs, I have yet to put my two-cents on the 'net. However, seeing as we've recently visited the Motherland, it is my patriotic duty to bring our wonderful trip to life. I'll do my best to keep it short, sweet, and readable for Lyndsay's faithful reader's. I'll aim to keep it below a sixth grade reading level or else our good friend John DJ will be unable to process the literary genius or creative flow of my prose.

Funny thing about airplanes: I still find it truly amazing that millions of passengers each year entrust their lives to a complete stranger for the duration of their flight. Many do it without a second thought. From now on I vow to give it a second thought. Seeing as how our flight was already delayed leaving SFO and Lyndsay and I had spent the previous thirty five minutes juggling children and bribing them with the promise of fruit snacks, I was relieved to finally get on the plane. After sitting at the gate for another 20 minutes, realizing the batteries were dead in our DVD player, and coming to grips with the fact that this could be the longest flight of my life, the pilot comes on an gives us this brief announcement: "Umm, good afternoon ladies and gentleman, this is your pilot speaking. We'd like to welcome you aboard. We'll be pushing away from the gate in a few short minutes but we have a bit of maintenance to take care of. It seems upon inspection our plane is missing a part. When the next plane comes in, were gonna quickly take the part of their plane and put it on ours. We'll then be good to go." My first thought was, "Oh great, we're short a wing." Turns out it was a cover of some pipe. Obviously not as crucial as a wing but if my comfort is at stake, let all the pipes be covered. Nevertheless, we arrived in Edmonton safely and were greeted by my dad who vowed to have the Jeep warm for our jaunt home.

I realize I have already been writing a bit and we've haven't even gotten to my folks house. Oh well. I tried to take a picture of the thermometer in the Jeep as we were driving to the house. Because my camera actually froze, I was unable to get a quality picture (kidding). My dad thought the picture would be rather comical and relevant so he managed to to take this picture and send it. Yes indeed, it was cold. However, if you are into frostbite and frozen extremities, this is your place!

There is something great about going home. Every time I walk into the house, the same smells and nostalgic memories come flooding back. Of course we were greeted by Oma who was more than happy to bestow a plethora of hugs, kisses, squeezes, giggles, and tears. And that was only on me! Opa and Oma always love to see the little ones and nothing seems to give them more pride and joy than seeing their grandchildren. I once heard that grandchildren are God's gift to grandparents who didn't kill their own kids. Seems like much truth is embedded in that statement. After all, I never remember my mom giving me Oreos for breakfast like Oma was giving to EJ. I can't wait to see our kids relationships with Opa and Oma continue to develop. EJ can't stop talking about Opa's airplanes in the office or playing golf with Oma in the living room. Funny, I wasn't even permitted to enter the living room as a kid and now my son is swinging golf clubs around the house. (wink, wink).

The week was pretty low key which was a welcome thing for Lynds and I. We got to hang with my brother and his wife, discover I have very little rhythm as a Rockband drummer, and enjoy a variety of fermented Canadian beverages. (No John, not EJ. The beer was for me). We had a great family Christmas with Mom and Dad, Ryan and Jess, and the fam. Once again Opa and Oma spoiled us beyond believe and left us coming home with bulging suitcases and much explaining to do to the customs agent who was wondering why our son was wearing a jacket made with 50 dollar bills (again, kidding).

One of the best memories I had growing up was getting together with the extended family at Christmas time for a little bit of pond hockey and good food. This year we skipped the pond hockey but got together with each side of the family on separate days. It was great to see Opa(pa) and Oma(ma) Schenk and that side of the family. During our annual gift exchange game I had a great number but ended up coming home with a "Fart Game". I kid you not. Can you say "Re-gift?" We also hung out with mom's side of the family. After being the oldest (and obviously the wisest and best looking), I am now the smallest and baldest. It was awesome seeing everybody, including Oma(ma) B. When this side of the family gets together I sure do miss Opa. He would have loved to see his great-grandchildren.

Well, I've gone and broken my "short, sweet, and readable" promises by writing a novel and using multi-syllabled words. Sorry John. Below I'll include a few pictures of our awesome trip.

Nothing drives me more wild than my wife in a snowmobile suit.

EJ and daddy doing man-stuff. Yes, he is actually driving.

EJ earning his keep. Nobody ever accused a Schenk of not working on Christmas vacation.

If teaching doesn't work out, there's always Rockband.

While Mo loves her Opapa and Omama, she can't resist yelling at EJ to leave her stuff alone.

EJ and Opa both enjoy True Crime hardcover books.