Sunday, December 28, 2008

Christmas in WV

We left a day later than planned, thank goodness we saw at least 20 cars in a variety of ruins from the major ice we missed.
A real car companion so we relaxed and had some fun at the hotel in Champaign. Especially in front of the full length mirror.
From Christmas 2008

Gingerbread house final touches with Great.
From Christmas 2008

Up there, Grammy.
From Christmas 2008

Silly GrandPaw hugs.
From Christmas 2008

Smoothie?
From Christmas 2008

Or Tea? With Great and Great Great, good sports!
From Christmas 2008

Bottoms up.
From Christmas 2008

Auntie fun.
From Christmas 2008



A real Fire Fighter Experience, bringing out the Hook and Ladder Truck, awesome fun for son and papa.
From Christmas 2008

From Christmas 2008
From Christmas 2008
From Christmas 2008

A new girlfriend? (Note the paparazzi in the background)
From Christmas 2008

Clay Center Children's Museum, all sorts of fun!
From Christmas 2008

Our final meal together, yes, that's right December 27th and we're outside in short sleeves grilling hot dogs with Custard Stand chili. 70 degrees!! Too hot for us Minnesotans.
From Christmas 2008
From Christmas 2008

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Snow Garden

Just give some magic water and create a "snow garden" lots of warm snow day fun.
From Christmas 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008

A Christmas Tree with a Train

It doesn't get much better than this. Brad loves that is plays Christmas songs too!
From Christmas 2008

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Special Day, Day III: The Christmas Tree

First, I finally finished making umpteen dozen chocolate truffles.
From Winter 2008


And then the decorating of the tree, no ornaments broken, so far, knock on wood.
From Winter 2008


There's a giant cluster of ornaments on the last row of branches, I wonder why? Hey, West Coast friends, yes that's a Tillamook Cheese Factory ornament in the front!
From Winter 2008


From Winter 2008


And after, hot cocoa, with marshmallows and . . .
From Winter 2008


whipped cream!
From Winter 2008


An "I love you" moment . . . ahhhhh.
From Winter 2008

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Special Day, Day II: Orchestra hall Nutcracker

We got up fairly early and headed for Minneapolis to see the Minnesota Orchestra perform for one of the free Target Family concerts. We didn't have tickets so had to get there early enough that we could pick up returned tickets, we didn't have any troubles getting them and in fact found excellent parking and was inside the lobby for the before the concert events. Magoo got to walk around to each of the musical stations. Whether it was initial shyness or interest taking over he really enjoyed the last booth we were at where he got to actually play the violin and cello (at least those are the instruments I think they were, I'm quite musically illiterate as many of you know . . .). He had a much harder time playing with the jingle bells, but really loved the ratchet and thought the boards were ok too. Not so into the water xylophone or conductors instructions, maybe next time.

At the end of the concert we asked him what his favorite parts were, the Nutcrackers, I assume the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Rose Petal dancers, when they came out I opened our book and pointed them out to him, their costumes were very similar to those in our book so I think he really got it. They were all terrific performers and the music was also a delight. And they finished off the concert with what is now one of my favorites, Sleigh Ride!

The Ratchet, "I can crank really fast."
From Winter 2008


Future cellist?
From Winter 2008


Or future violinist?
From Winter 2008


Before concert excitement!!
From Winter 2008


Many of the musicians warming up, we had pretty close seats this time. It was nice to be able to identify some of the instruments. He pointed out the harp, a violin or two, and a few horns.
From Winter 2008

Friday, December 5, 2008

Series of Christmas Special Days, Day I

Drove all the way to Hastings for groceries right over lunch so after shopping got to ride the pony for a penny and then lunch at a fast food restaurant, a rare treat. He enjoyed three of his four chicken nuggets, offering to share the other with mama and I "accidentally" left more than half the fries in the kids meal bag. Thank goodness he's an easy kid, otherwise these special outings could be potentially miserable and then non-existent.


From Winter 2008


From Winter 2008


Note the new toboggan from his great Aunt, he was so excited when he opened the package and hasn't even considered wearing his other hat!!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

What've we been up to . . .

A nice quiet Thanksgiving and even got some projects around the house and for Christmas done or worked on.

We enjoyed a gorgeous November day, including a photo day and the Holiday stroll. Note the photographer's skills of the pictures of all three of us go to Auntie Decker.








Santa, reindeer, candy, lights, ice fishing float, wow!!