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

Backyard Rink 2.0

By
The old Coronavirus got us this week. Despite being sick things still needed to get done.  Still botheringhis sick dad. As you can see, Theo likes to be a pill from time to time. Meadow is always finding ways to lure Pecan into her room.  The weather this week looked like winter so we needed to get our ice rink built.  This year we decided to expand it over the sidewalk.  It was a wee bit small for us adults last year. Theo helped at times.  First we just had to figure out what we could build with the lumber we had. We had enough for the base wall at least. Even Meadow joined us outside for a bit.  I'd like to move this raised bed back a couple of feet next year to simplify the geometry. Brooke lent a hand when I needed the help. We use a DIY Iron Sleek setup. 2 x 12s and these metal brackets are all you need if your slope isn't too extreme. I had to fill in some low spots with dirt on the part that went over the middle garden. I had to wait a day or so to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gift Cards are for Spending

By
Thanks to daylight savings I got up extra early today. For breakfast I had eggs. You thought it was going to be oatmeal didn't you?   Scott was working his early shift at work so I worked on chores. I hate when he works when I have off, but in a way I get more done with him gone. Like dishes.  Our last two pumpkins from our garden.    Before they could start going bad I roasted them in the oven.   I then soaked the seeds in salty water for roasting later.    This week I decided to clean out our buffet drawers. Each drawer was turning into a junk drawer and needed to be cleaned.    I first took everything out to go through what I needed and what could be thrown away/recycled.  I pureed the pumpkin to be used for future use. Like pumpkin woopie pies, mmm.  While cleaning out the drawers I stumbled upon some items left behind from the previous owners.  Now ...
1 comment
Read more

G.G. and Grandpa Make Their 1st Visit to Interstate State Park and Taylors Falls (and Much, Much More)

By
Oh, hey, Brooke's parents visited us for the first time in forever. I told them if they wanted to keep Meadow, they'd have to bring her back. They arrived on Monday evening with plans to stay all week. I had to work still and we left them in charge of the kids. After a long day at the zoo we convinced them to walk with us to Bread and Pickle.  They were not excited by this, but we knew they could do it. Nothing like an old-fashioned burger and beer meal from Bread & Pickle on a nice summer day.
Post a Comment
Read more