The Mergenthaler Family

December is busy. We have had a few items of news/events, but I have been working so hard at buying, wrapping, stuffing, and stamping that I haven't had much motivation to share any news. So, here's a quick whirlwind: Coralville Luminaria Every year the Coralville community puts on an event called the Lighting of the Luminaria . I guess it is a worldwide tradition, but what do I know? Essentially, the streets are lined with candles . . . that's an easy way to put it. Feel free to skip over the following longer explanation: Community block captains get supplies (sand, bags, candles) and rally their neighbors for a bag filling party. Everybody gets together and makes a bunch of bags with sand and candles in them. When it gets dark, you light them. Then, you drive around the community to see the Christmas lights. Remember last year when our house looked so nice with Christmas lights? Also, remember when I had to chisel the lights out after Christmas because they had f...

Our first real snow for the year was a BIG one. The kids were released from school yesterday two hours early in anticipation of the "blizzard." They were thrilled as there was just enough snow on the ground at that point to sled down the hill and build a fort. School was also cancelled today. Once again, the kids were ecstatic. After breakfast, Rick headed outside to clear the driveway and sidewalks. The temperature this morning was 20 degrees with a wind chill of -6. I tried to convince the kids to hold off playing outside until the wind and snow stopped, but they just couldn't wait. So, they bundled up and braved the elements in anticipation of sledding down the hill in our side yard. They lasted for about an hour--not bad, especially since I was only out there about 5 minutes before I was complaining that my hands were going to freeze off. It's a good thing they went out to play when they did because the temperature continued to drop while the wind and snow continu...