and now for something completely differernt

On our way to Canada, they asked for volunteers to get off the Chicago-Ottawa flight because it was overweight. They made it worth our while by putting us up for the night at one of the Hyatt's in Chicago (see the space-station-like building above and below), giving us meal vouchers, and credit with the airline.
Aren't snowflakes beautiful?
Hugh got to shovel the driveway!
We went pub caroling (yes, most of the other people there were much older), which was awesome.
I've been having a great time catching up with different friends, and Hugh has been able to do lots of reading and computer game playing (as well as running errands with my dad).
We picked up Erika from Guelph yesterday, and the rest of the family arrives in the next few days :)
Gotta go take a walk in the snow with my mum...