Old Towns

Other annual holiday events include trips to Occoquan and Alexandria. We don't really do much more than window shop (oh, okay, an occasional after-Christmas sale item is purchased) and have a bite to eat but it has become a bit of a tradition.

The annual Occoquan kid photo. We haven't had a great one yet...another tradition I guess.The kids don't get a whole lot out of the trip except a basket of chicken tenders but they manage to make their own fun. This year Terri, Mom and Don added to the excitement when the got locked in a store. Yes, locked in. It was quite comical and I got it all on video - unfortunately too big to post here.
Working the lock, after the handle fell off...Kids calmly entertained themselves...And not so calmly...Success!Old Town Alexandria
In Occoquan our meal of choice is either clam chowder or crab soup. In Alexandria it is gumbo. Unfortunately our hole in the wall fave restaurant was closed to prep for New Year's so we ate clam chowder at another joint. Wasn't the same. But we were sure to hit Union Street Public House for a pint, a dozen (oysters) and great atmosphere.

It's Snowing!!!!

A single snow cloud blew by and we took full advantage but by the time Grant bundled up, it was over. At least they got to catch some on their tongues. Olivia doesn't need bundling up - she inherited those Wisconsin genes. It didn't even phase her that she was bare foot.

More Holiday Fun

When you are from Florida, you really don't have much for cold weather gear. So one has to use whatever can be pieced together.Annual visit to see Gigantor (in the background)... and the other horsesFour Wheelin' FunGrant and I jumping (and ruining) Grandpa's garden

Christmas, part 2

Christmas with the Bergers

This is my other fave picture of the holiday season (see Christmas, part 1 for the other). I sat in waiting for Santa to knock on the door so I could get a picture of their faces. As soon as the first knock could be heard, the kids instantaneously went into frenzy mode. I snapped a bunch but this is the only one that had all of them in the same shot. I think this photo does a good job of capturing that moment... including Grant running in the complete opposite direction of Santa.

Here's another. Grant still trying desperately to escape; hide behind the Christmas tree perhaps.Adults have fun watching too.Giving Santa love.Grant braved it up this year and sat on Santa's lap. I believe he still prefers not to but has grown up enough to know that if a gift is involved he'll do most anything.Grant and his pan flute - inside family joke. Ask Don if you are dying to know.Love the jammies, G'ma.I was missing Harley.Everyone loves a Gator.Bailey has taken over Dune's job of being in the center of wrapping paper mayhem.

Christmas, part I

Christmas with the McMullens and Behringers

One of my favorite pictures of the holiday season (see Christmas, part 2 for the other). This photo sums up what happens to kids when they have too little sleep and too much sugar. We lost all control of them on Christmas Eve.
It began with Uncle Matt covering Grant in tattoos which lasted the entire holiday season. My personal fave was the big one on the back of the neck. He looked gangsta... and I found myself slightly embarrassed and frantically trying to keep it covered while in church.
We visited a really cool train display, located on top of a music store.
Japanese Steak house
Quite a first time experience for Grant. As soon as the chef began (literally, as soon as he made his first move) Grant flew out of his seat and hid under the table! The flames and banging knives were too much for him and he wouldn't come out for awhile. Once we were able to convince him that it was okay and actually a lot of fun, he slinked out and watched some of the show at the end. And then proceeded to eat his entire meal with chopsticks. We decided we either need to serve every meal at home with chopsticks... or with that secret sweet shrimp sauce.Remote Controlled Truck - was this gift for Grant or Don?Barbie House!Santa is alright!We managed to burn off some of Aunt Donna's cookies by hiking.Some vine climbing. And we thought we had thick vines in Florida. Note the twisted center. These vines were thick!

Holiday Hangover

My holiday entries have been hanging over my head much like Snoopy does to Lucy in the Peanuts Christmas special.

We love taking time to travel and see everyone but the return puts us in a holidaze that seems to last, well, nearly 3 weeks. I think I'm starting to get back into our normally schedule now.

School Parties

Grant was Santa in his school production... His class "sang" Jingle Bells. He is so shy but I give him credit for just getting up there. When Olivia was 3, she wouldn't even go on the stage. I recall being shy to perform in front of a crowd so I can relate.The best part for me is that he jingled his hat rather than the bells...

video upload


The best for part for Grant was meeting Santa and receiving a homemade stuffed dog.Olivia had a book exchange party...Ah! Tinkerbell!Apparently if given the choice between donut holes or reading, Olivia chooses reading.Decorating cookies with Phoebe (friend from Guatemala, has since returned. She was here during her summer break)

Merry Christmas!

It's the Holiday Season...

and a whoop-dee-do, a dickory dock, don't forget to hang up your sock... (inside joke with my sister Karen).

We are in full swing and a bit sad that Thanksgiving fell later this year. Since we travel for the holidays (and therefore must have our act together even earlier) we really don't get much time to enjoy our decorations and quiet family Christmas time. Both Don and I (and subsequently our kids) love to get festive (as Don says) so we cram a lot in without trying to make it feel pressured or rushed (multi-tasking skills go into overdrive)... but it always kinda does (at least to me).

However, we LOVE to see our family and friends (and get gifts ;) and Don would NEVER stay in warm weather for the holidays (and snow is preferred - can you all make that happen this year - PLEASE?!). I however think it might be fun to escape, just once. Christmas in the islands perhaps? Maybe even Christmas Island. Or even Iceland for Don. Just kidding everyone (except for maybe just a teeny tiny bit), and I'm sure I would regret it if I did.

So, I'm squeezing in ONE MORE thing (this posting) before we head out on Saturday. I just ran out of time to get other Christmas posts up and many of our busy events weren't even photo-documented since I forgot the camera most of the time (my multi-tasker broke down).

And one of my goals of this post (decided midway second paragraph) is to see how many parentheses I can use (even if it is annoying). I think I'm losing it a bit.

Cutting the Tree

We started a new ritual last year when we found a quaint Christmas tree farm - cutting our own tree. These trees are Sand Pines (or Scrub Pines) and they are native to Florida. Their needles are similar to a white pine. They aren't a deep, dark green - more of a "Florida" green as I call it - lots of sunshine mixed in.Grants favorite part was pulling the cart...Chosen, cut and conquered... Grant inhaling some fresh pine...
They have a nice scent - at first - but unfortunately it doesn't last like I remember my trees of youth. But we like having a native tree.Heading out...We even got a bit of education. The owners have bluebird houses and martin houses around the property to control insect damage without using pesticides. These are some of the nests and eggs found in the houses.Heading home...