After arriving in Harrisburg, PA and spending the night, we were back on the road again by 8am. I was again thankful for the DVD players for the kids. By the time we were around Ravine, PA we started seeing some SNOW. We stopped in Hazelton, PA for breakfast at Perkins. It was about this time that I was getting excited about the SNOW.

Even though the boys had seen these rocks when we drove to NY in July, they were still awed when seeing the rock with ice on it.

This is what we saw when we arrived in Hazelton, PA. The parking lot of the Perkins where we ate, hadn't been plowed good. And the driveway entrance was down a small hill. I will admit, I was a little concerned about how well my "southern tires" would handle these conditions of snow and slush still on the road. Yes, we did do some sliding and spinning of tires. It took every ounce of my will power to NOT do a 360 spin in the parking lot. But as a friend said to me recently, just imagine a grown woman doing a 360 in a mini-van. Um, interesting picture.

Now that we have fully tummys, another DVD is in the player and the tank is full of petro, let's get to New York.

WELCOME TO NEW YORK STATE

I thought it would be best to stop at the Vestal, NY Walmart. Oh, I was so not right in that choice. I had forgotten that if there is only one Walmart in the Greater Binghamtom area, and it being the last Saturday before Christmas, that it would be a NIGHTMARE to get there and to shop. Well I was unfortunately right about that one. It was a nightmare. And I had absolutely forgotten how awful it is to push a shopping cart in the snow. And trying to make sure the boys are safe in the parking lot weas nerve-wrecking. And the joy was only beginning.  Here's a picture of what Binghamton looked like with their snow. The side streets were interesting and I was glad I didn't have to try to park on them.

Beautiful New York scenery. To me I really enjoy seeing the pine trees covered with snow.

And if I hadn't tortured myself and the boys enough with the Vestal, NY Walmart, we also stopped at the Target in Cicero, NY. For some reason I was unable to find snowpants at the Vestal Walmart. Thankfully I found them at Target, and also spied another Walmart. I really should have known better, really I should have .... but we went to that Walmart too. I thought wouldn't it be wonderful to pick up the necessary food for the Christmas buffet my mom always does. That way we wouldn't have to go back out. It was now after 6pm on the last Saturday before Christmas (do you see a theme yet), my boys are beyond, just beyond being able to deal with life and Walmart....when I almost began to cry at the deli. This was the second time I had been to the deli and when I about cried, I knew I needed to just check out. Of course checking out at the Walmart on the last Saturday before Christmas, be prepared to WAIT and WAIT and WAIT. I was the fourth person in this one line when another line opened up. So we went to that one and checked out quickly. When I was leaving, I noticed that the person who was checking when I switched lines, was STILL CHECKING OUT. Now let's get to my parents home. On the road again.

Finally we arrive at the hotel in Pulaski. Again, my wonderful husband had called ahead and changed my reservation so that it would begin on Saturday instead of Sunday like I had scheduled. After getting our hotel key, we drove to my parents. Okay, it's about this time that I am thinking it's COLD, baby and I mean COLD, bring on the long undies.

I don't think the boys barely got "hellos" said to my parents before they were begging to go outside and play in the snow. I can't find the actual temperature for Pulaski the night we arrived, but I am guessing it wasn't more than 5* and let me just tell ya it was cold. A cold that gets in your bones and doesn't leave. A cold that gives instant "brain freeze" and trust me eating ice cream is the last thing you want to be doing. It was cold, cold cold. But there was SNOW SNOW SNOW.  I think the boys were a little surprised at what all had to be put on for clothing in order to go outside. Sorry, no pictures of them enjoying their 15 minutes outside in the snow. Stayed turn for the next entry, day three where there will be tons more pictures.