Christmas Back Home

I have a lot of pictures and fun things to post from our Christmas trip so I figured I better get busy. I'll start with the first stop we made. We left NY at five o'clock in the morning, drove straight through to Minneapolis and got there around midnight. The next day we got up, walked around Mall of America a little bit and then headed to Aunt Betty's house.
She has had a very busy holiday season so we all pitched in to help her get ready for Christmas Day and the Christmas weekend when her kids would be home.
While I was wrapping gifts and then making Christmas Cookies Andrew and Thomas were decorating her Christmas tree. (All the while we had Christmas music playing and Christmas candles burning.) As you can see it is quite a large tree, but they had fun! Every little bit I would hear them laughing about something. Here are a few pictures.

Putting up the Angel
Just to give you an idea as to how big this tree is...
Betty on the left is 5"7" Andrew is 6'
plus the space between Betty's head and Andrews feet,
and his extended arm.

Placing the ornaments

The finished product

Shoveling, shoveling...

Shoveling, shoveling, Move that snow...

SNOW, Snow and more snow....

Here is a picture of our front yard. You can kinda tell how deep the snow is by looking at the tire tracks in the drive way. My dad went out pretty early this morning. While everyone is shoveling out their cars (our neighbors on both sides) my dad just put the truck in four wheel drive and backed out! Caleb of course wanted to play outside. Here he is sitting on a chair on our front deck.

Trying to walk across the front deck.

This is our picnic table in on the back porch.
I guess we will have to dig that out before we have lunch. :)

And Caleb by the grill.
Obviously we have to get shoveling!

PS. We are LOVING the snow. It makes it seem so much more like Christmas!

Handel's Messiah

Last night Andrew and I went to Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall. We were able to go with a group of friends and that made the night even more special. What a fabulous performance. This is something I would definitely do again, and would suggest everyone do.

Sunday Afternoon Football

Here is a look at the football game here at our house. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

This is my little Christmas tree in my room.
I love it!

Number 27

Congratulations to the New York Yankees on their 27th World Series Win!!!
After the game my brothers and I went to Modell's to get in on the fun and get some world series items. We ran into our dear friends the Johnstons and the Rivera brothers.

Way to Go Yankees!!!

Baking like Grandma

I have a list of things that my Grandma used to always bake that are my favorites. It is my goal to make them (hopefully) like she did. After being very much inspired by today's weather I started on that list and made apple bars.
I am not sure what to try next - maybe her bread?

The Mighty Hunter

Early this morning Thomas went bow hunting with Russ, Tim, Jeff, Josh, and Justin. I know he saw a doe and a fawn, and a very large turkey. Thomas has not shot anything yet - I think he is waiting for the perfect deer. Right now he is out again with his friends. I know he is having quite the time.

Civil War Day

This week at Long Island Baptist Academy is spirit week. Today was Civil War Day. All of the kids came to school dressed in their finest civil war attire. Here are just a few pictures from the day.

Brothers

Friends

Some of the guys

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

- John Updike, September

Presents with a Purpose!

Over at A Keeper At Home there is a fun give away.
Everyone loves free stuff right so go check it out!

To Happy Birthdays!

Hey Everyone!
Tomorrow is Beth from Eden Photography's Birthday!
To celebrate her special day she is having a drawing for a FREE Photo Shoot.
So head on over to EDEN PHOTOGRAPHY and register to win by leaving a comment on her post.
Happy Birthday Beth!!!

Todays Project

So here is a desk that was my aunt and then my mom's while they were growing up. Ever since I was really young I have hoped to one day have this desk in my room. While we were up in North Dakota this month I was able to pick it up and bring it home.
This is what it looked like when I got it home.

With the Primer

Finally getting painted

All done and in my room.

Now all I need is the perfect chair....

Birthday Boy!

Happy Happy Birthday to you Dearest Caleb.
We love you bunches and bunches!

Do Brothers Think Alike?

Last night my mom and I were in the truck waiting for the three brothers
to come out so we could go to church. This is how they showed up.

My mom had picked out Caleb's outfit and sent him down to have Thomas comb his hair. Thomas laughed when he saw Caleb because they matched.
Then Andrew just couldn't be left out so he grabbed a navy shirt and kaki pants.