Christmas Break Trip

This year we are really trying to pack in the memories.  So we left the day after Christmas and headed for PA to spend a couple of days with Oma and Opa.  We visited, we ate, we went to Hershypark- we had a great time.  Then we went to New York City where we met Jeff and Chloe.  Jeff gave us a fabulous tour of the city and we had a great time and saw so much!
And after that we drove from NYC to Boston to spend a few days with Jeff and his family.  They were so wonderful to stay with.  We played lots of games and saw lots of sights.  Jeff tried to give us a tour of the city but it was so cold that we didn't make it very far.  We still saw some great sights- like a really old cemetery and the house of Paul Revere and we ate some delicious authentic Italian food and of course fabulous cannolis!  What a trip it was!

Our favorite (and Omas) ice cream place is Oregon Dairy so Emmitt had to take a picture with the cow there

After a cold day at Hersheypark we enjoyed some of the many treats Chocolate World has to offer.

And then on to New York

Time Square- we had just arrived and were taking it all in- the sights, sounds SMELLS and CROWDS.  Boy were there ever CROWDS!

After walking through Times Square and Central Park we arrived at the temple. 

The kids were excited to see in real life these Giving Machines we had heard about.  We bought 100 polio vaccines and 3 chickens.  What a fun way to do some good!

Rockefeller Center.  Emmitt was upset because he had really been hoping to go ice skating there.  As it turns out the wait was so long we would've had to say in line until 8pm, so sadly no ice skating -hence Emmitts sad face.

Emmitt was really excited to see his favorite store in NYC.  Finally something he was excited to see (to him it was all downhill after Central Park)


Lunch was the yummiest pizza ever- at Majestic Pizza

This picture in the subway could be entitled -"Brandvolds: Lost in NYC". The subway was quite an adventure.  Ultimately we did get to where we needed to go.  We may have hopped on and off a train or two, jumped over turnstiles we couldn't make work and come up on the wrong side of the street- but hey- we eventually made it to where we needed to go- even if a lot more walking than necessary was involved ;)

These pancakes may have been the reason Emmitt stopped saying "I hate New York"

Here is Emmitt enjoying the bunk beds in our ridicuously expensive NYC hotel room.  It was nice to have a place to crash after a long day of walking and walking and walking.

And then we were on to Boston...

This is a beach by Jeffs house which I am sure is lovely when it isn't freezing cold and stormy.

Such yummy food- La Famiglia

Paul Reveres house

Poor Brayden was cutting weight this trip.  He showed incredible self control.  He ate steamed veggies while we had homemade pesto pasta and while we feasted on cannolis he pulled out his baggie of nuts and seeds.  But for him it paid off- he was able to lose weight on a vacation to Chocolate World and NYC- who does that?!?

 All in all a great trip with lots of good memories.  We saw family and incredible sights.  We may have been freezing but we can't complain when you plan a trip to the East Coast in December ;)

 

Another Perfect Christmas Day

An early morning (but not too early), lots of successful gifts, pajamas all day, good food, games.  A perfect Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

This year our Christmas Eve plan included Ice Skating with the Grigors followed by Costa Vida and then a white elephant gift exchange.  Unfotuntaly early into our skating time Ben hurt his knee and had to be taken to the ER.  We later found out he tore his meniscus- so that was definetly a bummer.
Later in the evening we had the Corbridges and Petersons join us for a Ham dinner and another white elephant gift exchange.  Sadly I didn't take many pictures but it was a lovely Christmas Eve.

Later after all our guest left we opened up our Christmas pajamas.  

Looking at Lights

We learned a valuable lesson this year when we went to look at lights- don't wait until the Sunday before Christmas.  The neighborhood was so crowded we saw one street in over an hour.  So we left after one street but at least we went.  Its always good times in the back of the truck!

Gingerbread Houses

The tradition continues...

Brielle made the Titanic this year

Makennas strategy is always how to get the most candy onto or into her "house". This year she filling train cars with candy was a pretty good strategy.

I believe this was the Republic Gunship.  We have been binge watching Star Wars as a family so that was definitely on his mind.

I always go for the boring yet classic "house"

And Emmitt made the Millennium Falcon- Star Wars inspired.

Senior Night

"Senior Night" for wrestling was a dual where all the seniors were recognized individually.  Brayden had a lot of friends show up and it was a fun night for him. The moms were given a flower and a lovely pin to where with their Childs picture on it.  Parents escorted their child out onto the gym and an announcer talked about them.  Then they all wrestled and Brayden easily won his match.  Wrestling has been a big and important part of his high school life.  Its been so good for him and he's loved it. It was nice to have this special night to celebrate it all!

the poster some of Braydens friends made

Sorry for the sideways shot- but this was in the program

  

My "Brayden" pin

Afterwards a bunch of his friends joined him at Chick Fill A.  I just love how Emmitt sits with the high school kids like its  where he belongs ;)

Congrats to Brayden!

Getting Festive

Our Elf is back, our tree is up, ugly sweaters abound, festive treats are being made, and Christmas is in the air!

Freddy was pretty creative this year- even trapping himself inside an ornament.  His creative genius knows no bounds ;)

Brielle and her friend Brynley created this Christmas tree cake masterpeice.

And some of the younger people and animals in the house did an "under the tree" photo shoot.

Its the most wonderful time of the year!