Skip to main content

On Christmas We Celebrated with Brooke's Family

By
We woke up before the sun got up to get to Wisconsin. I forgot again about the time change so really we could have slept in another hour.

On this whole trip we listened to the popular podcast "Serial". It really helped the long drives more bearable. I can't wait for Season 2. 

We decided to avoid tolls on the way to Appleton. I'd rather see downtown Chicago than some banal suburbs.

We were getting hungry right around the Wisconsin border. I saw a sign for O&H Bakery. That can mean only one thing: kringle. The gas station on one side of the road was closed.

We went across the road to the Petro Travel Stop. That one was not only open, but had a mini O&H inside. We got Wisconsin Kringle with cranberries, cherries and cream cheese.

It made up for the Christmas morning cinnamon rolls my brother always makes.

When we arrived at my parents I changed Meadow into her new dress. I started knitting this dress back in September and finished it a week before. I made it a few inches longer so she can wear it for a while.

Meadow opened her gift from her Great Grandma from the Romenesko Christmas. Candy and money.

My mom surprised me with a new ornament.

We sipped on Old Fashions while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Thanks Blake.

Everyone finally arrived, well not Jeff, Brittany and Marina, so we started opening presents. I got some new tools and a gift card to put towards a ladder  from the in-laws and the awesome kayak paddle I'd wanted from Dan and Brooke.

If you've read about Romenesko Christmases in the past you know there are going to be a lot of presents to open.


Meadow got some new bath toys and towel from Chelsea and Dan. A fruit puzzle from my mom.

Mike got an axe from somebody and decided to be a wise guy about it. There's my sweet new paddle!

We all got some really great presents.

I can't wait to go apple picking next year to try out my new apple peeler. I also got a new kayak paddle and bike shorts. No more sore butt for me. 

Scott was taking a photo of Brittany opening her gift from him. Actually this was great timing because you see Jeff reading Nolan's shirt.

Looks like Meadows going to have a fifth cousin.

Marina was practicing on her potty box. Well not literally.

Gail got an automated cat litter box. I think this was more for Mr. Mike.

I like that it was from Jaspurr.

Meadow got a cool new camera from Brittany and Jeff.

Meadow also got a new wooden sled from my mom. Too bad there isn't any snow to try it out.

I told you that the presents don't stop coming. I was getting hungry at this point.

Once my aunt and Grandma arrived we had to open more. Meadow got a new rolling pin. We got a donkey, lamb and angel to add to our Nativity scene.

Aunt Jill loves her great-nieces and nephews. I love food.

Blake was working on his 4th drink of the night. "Who's counting?" he says. I am Blake, I am.

I was getting a little tipsy at this point. I slowed down, but I don't think Blake ever slowed down.

This was a good Christmas despite all the driving.

Labels:

Comments

Amanda said…
Brooke I want to see Meadow's dress! You made it? So cool. Lots of nice gifts. :) Looks like another great time.
8:15 PM, January 01, 2015
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Over the River & Through the Woods to Grandmothers House We Clean

By
My mom had wanted us to come down to my grandparents home to clean for months. Unfortunately a busy summer had kept us away. We finally made it a week after our honeymoon ended. We slept at my parents home in Cudahy before heading down to Racine. We got home from our trip on Tuesday and left for Milwaukee on Thursday. It was almost like an extended vacation. Before leaving the cities we stopped and had dinner at Foxy Falafel. It was pretty good and I like that she uses sprouted chickpeas.  I never knew my grandparents on Poppyseed Tuska's side so Grandma and Grandpa Wojcik were a special part of my life. They both passed away last year after living nearly 90 wonderful years.  Their home was always a wonderfully warm and inviting place. The perfect place to spend your Christmas Eve in front of a fire place. Since it's going to be sold, Brooke and I took on the massive task of organizing and cleaning the home. When Scott told me h...
5 comments
Read more

7 Days Down, 158 Days To Go

By Anonymous
Umm, well I ended up having a longer Christmas break than I had originally thought. It went really well until the last few days. I had dreaded this day since we met, I always knew it was going to come, but yet I ignored that it would ever happen. Saying goodbye to Scott was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I've had to do that so many times last year and I still have to do it. If I can get through January and February and I think I will be ok, or so I keep telling myself. I took out a second loan and it got denied, so I'm still as poor as ever until I can figure out what I'm going to do. I'm so glad school starts next week, being alone all day is very hard. I left Scott Thursday night and headed back to Little Chute, which I was glad I did. We're having some family issues concerning my dad's business and the death of his friend. It tears me up to see him like this. I wish I could've stayed home longer. I pretty much did, I left home early Sunday mor...
4 comments
Read more

A Few Thoughts to Pass the Time

By Anonymous
I'm sitting at the library, my new hang out besides random coffee shops. Class isn't for another 2 hours and I've finished all my homework. There's a guy running across holding his pants up and rush hour is just setting in. I never realized how weird Minnesotians actually are until I saw American Idol last night. They were doing auditions in Minneapolis, which Randy liked to call Minnehopeless. I thought it was just the culinary students that we're weird at my school, but no it's the whole state. The majority of the people that I know here are not actually from Minnesota, only one that truely is seems ok to me. Maybe I'm just like them but I don't want to admit it. School is alright. It keeps me busy. I like that some classes only have 10 students. Everyone in my Nutrition class eats healthy and reads the ingredient list but me. At least I get to take home everything I make in my baking class. Summer seems so far away. I need to find a place to live befo...
5 comments
Read more