My niece, Katie, is clearly too mature for Santa photos. (She's 8.)

Little niece Lillie is apparently "scared stiff" of Santa Claus. 

We are all pleased see that nephew Jack has his pants on all the way. 

(Good job, Buddy!)

 

Here's Jack showing off his Christmas sweater.  In about 5 years, this photo will get him beaten up on the playground.

 

Lillie is good at posing for photos.  I think she watches a lot of America's Next Top Model.  (Look at the sm-eyes-ing!)

 

My niece and nephew Emily and Andrew.  He's home from college for the holidays.  This is a fleeting moment where they actually were getting along so I quickly snapped a photo.  The family will cherish this moment....

 

Emily has FREAKISHLY long eye lashes.  FREAKISH!!!!!   I wanna be a freak like that.

 

Tony and his sister are both expecting.

She's expecting a baby. 

Tony's expecting more pie.

 

Before the fist fight broke out...

Check out this site!  Hilarious!!

www.sketchysantas.com/

 

Here's what we're doing....

Sally is filling in on the phones while Beaker is out...(oh so serious!)

 

Moon is running the controls and singing along!

 

You can't see the magazines I am flipping through........

 

 

On Sunday I went on a hot air balloon ride with Scott of Aamodt's Apple Farm.  WOW! 

It was indescribable!

So, I took pictures and video to try to show you how amazing it is. 

There was another couple in a second balloon, Tara and Zane.  He proposed! 

 

Loading up the baskets...

 

Fill 'er up!

 

Peek inside...

 

Looks like a fun fort!

 

Tara & Zane's ride getting inflated.

 

Almost ready for lift off.

 

Post proposal...check out that rock!  (Better add more air in that balloon.)

 

My ride is almost ready!  WHEEE!!!

 

The view from the basket...

 

It doesn't even look real, does it?

 

 

Tara and Zane trailing behind us.

 

Landing in a culdesac.

The kids in the neighborhood were pretty intrigued!

Time to pack it back up again.

 

My job was to squish the balloon fabric down in the bag. 

 

Can't wait to do it again!  Gotta bring Tony with me next time.

Last weekend we held our annual Stuff the Bus where we collect new, unwrapped toys for their "Toy Shop."  Parents who can't afford gifts for their children can come to the Toy Shop to pick out things for their children.  We just heard from the Salvation Army people...They opened the shop yesterday and after just 5 hours, they are nearly out of toys already. 

HELP!!!!!

Please donate if you can! 

You can click here to make a cash donation:

www.ks95.com/promotions/stuffthebus/

New unwrapped toys may be dropped off at a local WalMart or Sams Club or better yet - delivered directly to the Minneapolis or St Paul Armories during toy shop hours. 

The Minneapolis Armory 1025 Broadway Ave NE

The St Paul Armory at 600 Cedar Street

Toy shop hours -

Through 6pm tonight (Friday)

Saturday hours - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

Monday - 9 a.m. to noon.  

On Tuesday a Salvation Army Toy Shop will be open at the Crossroads Community Church in Burnsville, 14300 West Burnsville Pkwy from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.