They're still alive

Today I went out with my stethoscope and listened over the escape hole and the buzzing was INTENSE!  Mark, Cassie, and Joe came out and listened as well. We are all very excited to know they're still alive. It's getting down to 5 below tonight!

A guard bee came out to check us out and walked along the outside of the hive and one bee went out for a cleansing flight.

Here's hoping all goes well until springtime!

Update December 17, 2013

I pulled the cork out of the little hole so they won't suffocate.
No idea what's going on inside but Joe put another bale of straw around the hive for insulation while I was in Boston last week.
Now I don't have to run down there every time it snows to unblock the entrance hole.

Still worried

the cork is in the little hole (~3/8" hole = bee space) and there is a screw in it so I can pull the cork out easily

 the board keeps snow from blocking the opening over the landing board, the opening has a mouse guard over it

So I looked through the window today and it just seems like there is a paucity of bees, but mark reassures me that they are probably all clustered away from the window. I hope so.
Here is the photo of the piece of wood I put over the landing board/mouse guard and a close up of the cork I put in the escape hole. Keep your fingers crossed!!!