Sunday, January 1, 2012

Pants and Piers and Friends Bringing Cheer

Needed a little quiet time at the end of a long pier.

Ahhhhh.


I could stay out here all day.


PEACE. 

WOOHOO!  Briana, Megan (and baby boy to be born in Spring),
Stuart, and the girls, Hannah and Elizabeth!   
A fantastic catch-up on everything lunch!

She was so overheated that her pants all but 
disappeared by the time we left!  Hysterical!

Adventures in Kohler, WI.
Just for you, Nicola! 

Nic's childhood home.
(Here's hoping the current residents weren't watching.)

He looked like such a sad snowman.  
I just had to go say hello.  :)

Ahhhhhh.
Lunch - Mongolian Grill Style!

The PASSION and ENERGY I felt during my visit? 
I mean, it was a delicious meal and all, but passion and energy?
Should have gone back for seconds.

Um...yeah.  That would be my monkey
I mean, my brother, hanging from the pipes 
in the parking garage at the museum.  
Strong little monkey!

Do you see the rat?
Yeah, neither did we.  Even with some assistance from the museum guides.
Scary little dioramas they've got in Milwaukee...

Cleopatra was looking at me.  
I need to try that eye makeup.

My 5th graders will be THRILLED to see these Thai instruments!

Just too cool to pass up - the African exhibit.

My name is Bond.
Statue Bond.

Isn't all hope good?  

Well, there you have it.

Ahhhhhhh.

WHAT THE WHAT!?
HOW did she sneak this into my luggage!?

Hello again, Colorado mountains.

And.....we're back.  Ciao, 2011!

Love and Live Happy

Imagine my joy upon discovering two heaping piles of shredded cheese! :)
Imagine my sorrow upon discovering these were actually potatoes! :(

My question is how do you explain the carrot nose on Baby Jesus?

So....it's Christmas?  Gotcha. 

Always good to be back on that bench.
Christmas Eve Worship - O Holy Night.  

Holy Communion on Christmas Eve!  

Silent Night at Hope Reformed Church 
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

 
Silent Night at Bethany Lutheran Church
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado


I'm usually with little Charlotte late on Christmas Eve.
Thank goodness her parents posted this pic of the little bean!

My camera on Fireworks mode is amazing.  Enjoy!

Rather symmetrical, wouldn't you say?

Grandma Dot in the middle!

Three generations!

Cheerful, aren't we?


"Here's your gift...with a few strings attached...."

...strings as in you can only spend these gift certificates when I'm with you 
because I've reenlisted and I'll be stationed in Colorado!  HOLY COW!

 
Signed the papers in Baghdad, no less. WOW!

This is my "Wear This When Doing Laundry So 
You Don't Fall On Your Face" Broncos helmet.  

Apparently, helmets were the gift of choice this year!

BOOYA! 

Enough said.


Hmm.  More injury-related gifts.  
I sense a theme.


What good Sheboygan yard doesn't have their 
very own Christmas flamingo  lawn ornaments?!

Um...yeah.


She was really thrilled with her new screen house stakes.
It's the little things. 

Daniel Boone called.  
He wants his pelt back.

Try to look more enthused, Brad.

I love the fact that Dot is as perplexed as I am in this photo.
That would be a rolling, laughing cow.
Yup.  :)

The girls!

I thought we should have broken out the 
new bean bag toss game in the living room.
I was voted down.


Look very closely.  Notice the hovering helicopter
Never give a remote controlled helicopter to a 29 year old boy at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Guaranteed to take off the heads of at least 3 knick-knacks before crash landing behind the couch.

INCOMING!

Love and live happy.  Good idea!  Merry Christmas!

~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~ * ~~~

Oooh.  Fancy.

Ooooh.  Shiny. 
The obligatory up against the neighbor's home photo.

BOOYA!  It's cousin time!  The kids have kids!

TEN!?  Dakota is 10!? 

Munchies and mingling.

The kids got there very own play space.
In the hallway.
Lucky ducks.

Our toys from when WE were little.

Gorgeous sunset.  
Too cold to enjoy from OUTdoors, 
but just as pretty INdoors.