Duluth Ski Trip

This past weekend Patrick's whole class made the drive to Duluth, about 3.5 hours north of where we live, to go skiing.  We all left on Friday and just chilled at the hotel that evening.  Saturday we woke bright and early to hit the slopes.  Unfortunately we haven't got much snow yet so very few runs were open, but it was still tons of fun. The view at the top of the hill was of Lake Superior which is absolutely beautiful!

Cole, Patrick and Lance

Brie, Ansley, Melissa, Parker

Kimmy

Allison, Parker, Ansley, and Kimmy

The Fam

The Gang...minus a few :)

 We skied until 2-ish and headed back to the hotel for a nap.  That evening we all went out to eat at Old Chicago, a delicious pizza place on the canal.  The guys had a gift exchange after we ate and when we left it started snowing...soooo pretty!  Parker, Ansley, Melissa, and I headed back to the hotel to put the kiddos to bed but the rest of the bunch went to show off their dance moves at Grandma's.  I heard some pretty funny stories the next morning :)  We just headed home on Sunday since we had Sully with us and came home to 5 inches of snow.

Parker's idea of a nap :)

Parker and his buddy, Ansley

Dinner at Old Chicago

Gift exchage

Lake Superior view

Spirit Mountain

First of December and Snowblowing!

So we have basically no leaves on the trees now, a little snow (although they usually have a lot more snow already by this time), and the creek has started to freeze over!  Looks a little colder than the first of November pic...that's because it is.  It is 19 degrees this afternoon as I am writing this post.  The highs right now are in the low 20's.

Dec. 1st Pictures of Backyard

Dec. 4th Pictures of Backyard

 

Sully loving the snow!!!

We got 5 inches of snow on Saturday, so Sunday Patrick had to break out the snowblower!  Unfortunately you get what you pay for and it has a few glitches, but he got the driveway done.  Here are a few pics of him working in the freezy cold...

check out how much the shovel is in the snow!

watch out

our snow bunny walking around on his walker he got from his buddy Ansley

front of the house

snowblowing the driveway

Thankgiving in MN

This Thanksgiving was a little different for us...

For one, we weren't in Texas.  Two, we weren't with family.  And three, I didn't get any dewberry pie!

 I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad, Yummy Turkey, and Football!

But overall, we still had a relaxing and fun holiday by ourselves.  It was truly a vacation since we didn't pack, we didn't go anywhere, and we didn't have anything to do.  We did spend a lot of time with our Minnesota bff's, Jen and AJ...love them.  We all watched lots of football, played the Newlywed Game, prepared a pretty good Thanksgiving meal, watched the Elf and Christmas Vacation and The Lincoln Lawyer, addressed our Christmas cards, and a little shopping too.

Watching some football.

Parker's First Thanksgiving

Our feast!

MN family dinner :)

Our desserts

How does it smell Jen??

Time for a little afternoon snoozer.

Holding hands with Coy

My three handsome boys (minus Oscar) that I am so very thankful for!!! 

Halloween 2011

Parker and I were home in Texas for Halloween this year, so unfortunately Daddy couldn't be a part of the festivities :(  We spent it with Nana and Pops though and had a great time.  Mom dressed in her great witch costume and Parker loved seeing all the kids come to the door!  Parker was a little monkey this year.

{Our Trip Home to Texas} Part II

Continued....

The Aggies of course lost :(  But everyone had a great time tailgating and catching up.  More pics...

Go Aggies!!!

Aunt Rebecca

The Heberts

Uncle Mark

Gramma and Grampa

Kari and Parker

After the game we headed back to Hackberry to visit more with the Czhilispiel crew.  Garrett came in 7th place with his ribs...way to go!!!!  But once again, we didn't place in the chili contest...maybe next year :)

Cousin Olivia with Parker

Garrett drooling over the delicious caramel rolls!

Relaxing!

Pops, Luke, and Christopher...3 Generations of Freytag Men

Pop's Wagon Ride

Aunt Kim

Cute pic!

Garrett and Aunt Kim

Kristin and Cooper

Aunt Ali and Aubrey

Playing drums together!

Our attempt at a Grandkid pic in matching camo

We had a great great time visiting with everyone and being back in Texas!!!  Can't wait for our next visit in a few weeks for Christmas.  Big thanks to Nana and Pops for taking good care of us :)