Tuesday, December 1, 2009

it's christmastime in minneapolis, st. paul's slutty sister

as my title reads, the people of minnesota/st. paul really do refer to minneapolis as the "slutty sister". i guess because it's younger, more hip, and well, let's face it, probably filled with the hyper-promiscuous type.

the reason for this post, however, is not to call names but to visit some of the memories & things i miss having lived there during two christmases/winters. i really, truly miss it and would move back in a heartbeat.


1. the beautifully decorated displays held at downtown macy's, 8th floor



2. ice-skating everywhere you look. all of the local parks ice parts of the grass so you may skate & play hockey as your heart so desires. our kids loved this!

3. also, you can ice skate on the lakes, because, well, yeah, it's about that cold. we never did this because i have quite the wild imagination in which i foresaw the four of us going under. sounds fun. sure it would have been a great memory.

4. the macy's holidazzle parade. this was fun for a few reasons. the first being that because minneapolis reaches arctic temps, they wised up a bit and built a skyway where you can walk from building to building around downtown and not freeze your appendages off soooo needless to say, we would stand in the skyway and watch the parade from above. spectacular fun. the second reason for it's fun-factor was that the girls were so excited. we would usually eat out for dinner first, find our little spot to watch the parade then go find those crazy folks who stood outside selling $5 lightsticks/wands/sabers, etc. the third reason this was fun was because it brought out the crazies.




5. our ward. i can honestly say that the Lake Nokomis ward has been my favorite of the 6 wards we have lived in. it is an inner-city ward where you can be greeted by all kinds of people, in all types of situations, and the love that exudes from each of them lifts your spirit tremendously. the talks, the testimonies, the bishopric, the presidencies, all are amazing and inspiring.

6. the funny outfits people wear just to get around outside.

7. the one-inch thick ice that would form on the windshield of my car. now this isn't something i miss, just a memory i have. :) mine did not ever come close to this but had we lived up north, i'm sure it would have.


8. lee's fogged up glasses when he would get home from riding his bike to work, then to school, then home. yes, in the winter.

9. st. paul winter carnival/ice sculpture festival. cold, but fun.


10. the hustle and bustle that surrounds the Mall of America. christmas time or not. it was the closest mall to our home (7 minute car ride), with all the best stores. so i went there, oft. naturally. it was always exciting.




11. and most of all, i love how minnesotans embrace winter instead of closing themselves indoors, away from the world. this, i believe, is what got me through two of the most frigid winters of my life. but honestly, two of the best.

2 comments:

Jen said...

Wow! There is so much to do here in the winter! I tend to be one of those that hibernates all winter long. I think we may have missed the parade, but I want to check out the St Paul thing.

We miss you! You can move back anytime soon.

Lindsay said...

i cant believe that car picture! that looks somewhat torturous.