The five days of Christmas

Pictured above are scenes from our annual Christmas celebration tour from Inver Grove Heights (our McBackFur Friendsmas) to Maple Grove to Apple Valley to New Ulm to Fairmont.  Keeping with tradition the girls were once again thoroughly spoiled.  

The biggest gift hits this year were: rock climbing gear, a sewing machine, Little Bits, Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books, a microphone, faux fur coats, and a Slip-N-Slide.

Merry Christmas to all!

Happy Holidays!

2016's holiday card from the Backers came with a B-side, which was more representative of the mood during this year's photoshoot... but didn't pass the editor's (L's) standards for the cover shot.

Choir birds

E & S and their Sunday School classes performed a few Christmas songs in front of the congregation this week.  Like last year, it seems we've got one kid who's a little more comfortable on stage than the other.  Here's a hint, the latter is hiding behind another kid... and the former... well, you'll see/hear.

Happy 39th

Yikes.  Dear Old Dad is nearing a milestone.  

Though, kicking off this final lap before the big 4-0 with breakfast in bed with my girls (and man's best friend), then pub crawling with the missus made it feel a whole lot better!

Peanuts at Peanuts

Nana and Linds took the girls to see the Peanuts crew in a Charlie Brown Christmas at Stages Theatre in Hopkins, MN.  

S especially loves the post-show autographs and photo opp.

Gopher Volleyball

While the men's college and professional sports in Minnesota are in a 24 year title drought, our women continue to bring home hardware.  The 2015 Lady Gopher volleyball team lookes to be the next in line, currently ranked #2 in the land and working their way through the December Madness NCAA tournament.  Naturally, we had to check them out!

BDO 2015

Opie pinch hit for Jason at this year's Gopher Football Boys Day Out.  Per usual, we started tailgating way to early, and stayed out way too late... hitting up Surly, Playoffs, Hop21, Bryant Lake Bowl (post-game selfie above), the VFW and Galactic Pizza.  I think.  The night was about as blurry as this picture... 

Cousins

E & S with first cousins Lucy and Alex, and second cousins Owen and Andee (of AZ) ... in the best pose we could get them in on Thanksgiving.