The Best Snowball I Ever Threw

(No disrespect to my current husband, but this is a picture of me and my dad at my first wedding. It's the only one I could find of us together. My mom has tons of photos at her house I really need to remember to go through sometime. So bare with me, one of these days, I'll get new photos, err, old photos.)

The current weather conditions remind me of my childhood when school would shut down for the day. Typically dad would have a day off too since he worked outside when I was in junior high. We would traipse up to my grandparents house together so he could have a cup of coffee with them. I loved those days. However, usually on the way there or the way back he would hit me with a snowball. Without a doubt, near the facial area too. I hated that. No matter what, I could never, ever hit him like he hit me. Even though he drove me crazy during softball season to play catch, I never could get my aim down throwing snowballs. EVER!

That is until this particular day. The snow gods blessed me as they never will again. My grandparents house was just up the hill from ours. Not a big hill, not a small hill. In the snow, deep snow, it felt like a big hill. If I remember correctly, dad left a tad earlier than I did. He was almost to the bottom of the hill as I just approached the top of the hill to walk home. Knowing I'd never get him, I created my only amazing, magical snowball.

Dad was walking his usual stride in the snow...hands in pockets, cap covered head down, walking fast. I pitched that snowball watching it make the perfect arch in the air. To my amazement it travelled the length of that hill. I continued walking and watching. My beautiful, magical snowball landed between the back of my dad's neck and the collar of his coat. It was cold. I wigged out because I knew what was coming. I lost control and couldn't stop laughing. When I laugh, I lose contact with anyone and anything. I hit the ground. A very short time later my dad was burying my head in the snow. Saying the whole time, "I'll getcha, I'll getcha!!!" His getcha's were never fair. How many times did I have to be gotten before I could ever get him back, then he'd quickly return the gotcha. I could never keep up.

Remembering that perfectly pitched snowball that day always warms my heart when I see the falling snow.

Old St. Charles and Lots of Fun

Finally I've sat down long enough to put these photos in a little order. Mom and I went to St. Louis the weekend before Christmas to visit some of my dad's family. Mom has never been to Old St. Charles at Christmas. After several years, we finally figured out a good time to go. Now we both hope this is a new tradition for at least the two of us. Maybe hubby too next year. He kinda just gave us the big eye when we told him he should go. We'll see.

It was a perfect day for a nostalgic Christmas Parade and shopping. The weather was dreary with snow lightly falling. Perfect. I didn't get the name of the shop below, many, many moons ago it used to be a church for the spaniards. A man dressed in costume told me the whole story while I took pictures of him. He just kept talking and I kept telling myself to remember the whole story. I didn't. However, we thought it was very cool to know it used to be a Spaniard Church.

Would you look at this airplane. I wanted to get it for our grandson, but the price tag was waaaaay more than I could think about. It was awfully heavy too.

Some of the architecture...

I believe he told me his family was Danish, but don't hold me to that. He was a very nice talker...

The old buildings are beautifully decorated. It's such a romantic feeling to get caught up in the old time spirit of Christmas.

We had to stop and sing with the carolers...

Cousins Abby, Emily, Aunt Deb, Aunt Paula, me and mom, plus the happy Caroler family. Many thanks to them for letting us join in...

Cousin Abby practicing her modeling skills with Mr. Nutcracker...

Shopping at the Flower Peddler. One of our favorite stores. Ooolala...

Some super sweet photographer snapped this of Cousin Emily. It's amazing how it has a European touch to it. I feel as though I am in Paris just looking at the happy couple.

Notice the kid in camo, the super sweet photographer had to ask him to move. He was standing right in the middle of Emily and Mr. Romeo's heads. Either he wanted his picture taken or he really is ignorant to the fact there were others around. Betting on the latter...

The parade, I was soooooo excited...never having been to the parade anytime I've been to Christmas in St. Charles, I couldn't wait for it to start. So many Christmas and winter characters. I wish I could step back in time for just a day or two during this time of year.

Lots of different time period Santas too...

In case you are wondering, like me, she is the one who teaches reindeer how to fly. Thank you for the FYI Aunt Deb.

I felt so privileged. Most of these characters posed for me as if they were getting paid to do so. It was so much fun!

An ice skating park was created down by the Missouri River, just behind the building in the background. This cute little fairy was spotted skating with little children when we were leaving. The only word I can use to describe it, is "MAGICAL". The children looked like they were having a blast.

How I wish this one would've come out clearer...

Oh, and you've read about this place before. It's my favorite store. Your remember, the one that speaks to my soul. I want to go inside, shoe everyone out, kick my shoes off and relish in the home I wish were mine...goodness how I love this place!!!

Her pricetag was too big for me to put in a sack...I had to leave her...I held back the tear that wanted to fall...

Excuse me, I'm having "favorite-store-house-ever-built-withdrawals", I'll be back in a minute...

I believe this is the Amish Peddler, another great store. But, NOT as great as my favorite store.

Cousin Emily buying chestnuts which had been roasted on an open fire. Wish I could report to you just how tasty they are, but I just can't...

Smiling for the camera...

What a sweet picture of this Santa.

We always take mom in the Doll Shop.

A gift of cake. It was like a movie...watching through the windows of a sweet shoppe...

She whispered my name, but, I left her too...

I have this sneaking suspicion that ole Jack Frost is still lurking in Missouri...

What a wonderful day we had. We decided to start the day with lunch at the Olde Mill Brewery. It was hysterical. I replay lunch and how much fun we had over and over in my head. After shopping, people watching, parade watching, cookie eating, more shopping, we headed back to the hotel. Later we met up again with everyone to go through Our Lady of Snows Christmas lights in Illinois. Lots of tiny white lights and lots of waiting. Very beautiful, I'm happy to say I've been there. Then we went through another showing of lights in St. Louis. A huge park with buggy rides and lots of traffic. Very whimsical and fun. I cannot wait for next year!!

One of Uncle Dave's famous Gingerbread Houses. Aunt Paula wanted me to take it home, I knew I'd have a disaster on my hands getting it back home. It's pretty cool, it made me want to do one of my own.