Here is our report on today's snow day. Cody is in rare form. 

It's been declared a snow day here in the Chattanooga area. It started snowing last night around 11:30 or so. Laura's work closed and Tony called in because of the weather. We did get out not far from our deck. Here are a few pics to show you what we are talking about.

We are expecting snow tonight. According to some meteorologists it will be 4-6 inches. Today we got some rock salt to make getting around outside safe. We are already stocked up on food and have batteries and a radio ready. Flashlights and candles are plenty. Being ready for snow events means having a plan. Experience tells us that people will make a rush for the stores to pickup bread, milk and other provisions. This should be a interesting few hours to see where this storm goes. I pray we will all be safe and warm.

We live in a part of town where we live at the bottom of the mountain and on a foothill. There are a lot of woods and places for wildlife. We have wild turkeys, deer, squirrels and chipmunks. Today Laura saw a fox, yes a fox. We enjoy seeing God's creation in action. It's kind of like living in a wild zoo. It's great to enjoy these creatures here in our own back yard. 

We want to wish you all a Happy New Year. We pray 2011 will be a great year for each of you. May God bless you as this new year comes upon us. 

Tonight we voyage to Forks, Washington to the Cullen Family and the Black Family and the Swans to continue the story of Edward and Bella. Laura got this movie for Christmas and we are going to enjoy the vampire war of 2010. This is where the love triangle of Bella, Edward and Jacob comes to a head. It's going to be fun. 

Laura is off work today and we are both vacationing. We slept in as much as we could. We ate breakfast and have spent time watching the news. Before settling down for breakfast we rocked out to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We have to spend time getting ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. We won't run ourselves in the process though. I hope everyone has a great day.

There are many traditions of the holidays. In our family we watch movies. Here are a few of the Christmas Movies we have watched so far this holiday season.

The Holiday – Kate Winslet

Last Holiday – Queen Latifah

Elf – Will Ferrell

November Christmas – John Corbitt

TNT's A Christmas Carol – Patrick Stewart

Christmas Vacation – Chevy Chase

Movies we have yet to see but are family favorites

Fallen Angel – Gary Sinse

White Christmas – Crosby/Kaye

The Nativity Story – Kesha Castle Hughes

A Christmas Story - Peter Billingsley

The Polar Express - Tom Hanks

We got a lot done this weekend before Christmas. Wrapping gifts, making mocha to hand out to friends at church, watching Christmas programs on video and TV. This has been a good time here in the Burgess household. God bless this time together. 

This is the recipe for the mocha mix we gave out in church. Its a yummy and warming beverage.
 
6 cups powdered milk
5 cups Nesquik (basically, an entire regular-size package)
2 cups instant coffee
2 cups powdered creamer
2 cups granulated sugar
 
Mix well, spoon into jars, and add a tag or label that says "4 tbsp. per 8 oz. hot water."