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

Yardwork, Ikea and Pumpkins

By
My new parents-in-law got us a dehydrator for the wedding. Knowing we were going to be cleaning up the garden and going to farmer's market, we took a gander at our millionth kitchen device during breakfast.   Scott added granola to his oatmeal.  The oatmeal was rather bland, just the way Brooke likes it.   Scott was actually cleaning up so I had to take a quick photo of him as proof.  Scott told me he was, "putting a blanket down for Peanut," while singing. During the winter months peanut needs a warm place to peer through the window. Seeing as it was nearly November, I setup his blanket for him. Seeing as the farmers market season is dwindling down, we headed to the market...once again. The close proximity to the cities central farmer's market has to be one of the best assets of living in NoMi. We were both amazed by the bounty of produce still on sale. We quickly filled up our first bag and took it back to the car....
4 comments
Read more

Our First Visit to the Steele County Fair plus a Twins Game with Friends

By
This past year Theo's best friend moved to Owatonna. When we came down last May for his birthday party I saw a sign for the Steele County Fair and knew we had to come back for it. First stop is the lemonade stand.  Then we hit up the daredevil show. After going to the RV show last February, Theo gets excited to tour campers.  They're fun to look at it or rent, but sorry bud, we're sticking to tents for the most part. You know I love a fair that is connected to the historic village.  I don't know if this is a common thing, but a few of the county fairs around here have little history centers right on their fairgrounds.
Post a Comment
Read more

When Brookie Met Scottie

By
Scott and I first met back in February 2006. I drove up to Minneapolis for the weekend to visit my cousin and future roommate Stacey. She had been invited to a friend of hers birthday party. We actually gave Scott and his roommates a ride to the party. I thought he was super cute and never thought in a million years that he'd even talk to me. I instantly felt comfortable around him and we talked the whole night. I called Cevonne the next day to tell her all about this guy I met and she said, "You're going to marry him." My reaction was, "My initials will be BAT." We spent almost the entire weekend together. Seeing as I was not living in Minneapolis I was worried we wouldn't see each other again, but Scott assured me he would come to Appleton during his spring break. I remember coming home excited to find that he already friended me on Facebook. We had awkward phone conversations and chats on AIM and then a month later he did indeed come u...
3 comments
Read more