See This Handsome Guy???

Seventy Years Today

but not lookin' a day over 55

Happy Birthday Poppy! We love you and miss you!

Sunday Snapshot- The Man of the House

I decided it was past due to feature the husband, the man of the house, the fixer of all things "unfixable", and the reason why we are all here in this great state of Minnesota. Hop on over to Ni Hao Y'all to browse other Sunday Snapshots from other bloggers like myself. Also, while your there, say a little prayer for Stefanie and her family. She's getting ready to travel to China in about a week to bring home little Vivi- how exciting!

This is the pose you will most often find him in. I realize it's his job, but if he could have it surgically attached I think he would.

Not afraid at all to tackle this mess and perfectly happy to spend an afternoon in it with his 5 year old daughter.....

...with only one condition. That he gets to bring some toys too.

I've reluctantly realized that this man has more patience than I do when it comes to sitting down and devoting an hour or two on the weekend to dressing Barbies.

And I mean hours. Every weekend.

Loves to battle those boys on the Wii.....

...and make sure that their "dress-up" is up to military standards.

And if it wasn't for him, this dog wouldn't be here. I mean, I had a different one picked out on that cold Saturday at the rescue shelter, but he insisted on this one....

.....and she won't let him forget it either.
I can't forget to mention that this man can cook too. Hates having his picture taken, but man can he cook. And I'm not just sayin' that so I don't have to.
And this, well, this is what happens when he just "messes around" with the camera for a couple seconds. Yes, I'm jealous, because I couldn't have taken one like this if I tried. In fact I did and it didn't work.

This was our Christmas tree.

So I'll post this pic of him just for spite. It's a repeat from many blogs ago.....

.....but he didn't know I posted it that time either :)

Don't Remember When We Last Had A White Christmas

But there was no escapin' it this year!

Christmas Morning, about 6:30 am- each year they sleep just a tad bit later.....

I love these pics, mostly because they capture the rare moment where all three are happy at one time anticipation and excitement of Christmas morning.

There was a quick discussion of who would pass out gifts this year, and then the race was on!

This one had hoped he would get something off of the required equipment list for the 1st Minnesota Regiment. He's required to begin as a Fifer in the fife and drum corps so the Rosewood Fife in B Flat hand crafted by Cooperman's was his big gift this year.

Look at those lips gettin' ready

This one,remember,is our food guy so his favorites this year were the hot dog and bun toaster and his own M&M dispenser.

And this one, well, this one is forever the little diva. She was most excited over the dolls with interchangeable wigs and her first pair of shoes with heels. Don't worry, they will be strictly special occasion shoes.




Since we are new to Minnesota this Christmas we did what we imagined most Minnesotans do on Christmas Day and went out to build a snow fort.......

.......at least the men did, while the ladies remained inside and combed wigs.

I'd have to say our first Christmas here was unique, but with most of our usual traditions still mixed in here and there.

Even the dog was left a few treats in the stocking from Santa.