Minnesota Christmas and NY NYE

Well, we had the longest Christmas that anyone has ever had ever this year. Binzer finally got the Christmas she has been waiting for, it was three years in the waiting. Luckily, Lindz didn't have to work for a week and my boss just shut down the whole office for about ten days, so we were able to have a really long break. We spent Christmas in Pike River with the Aystas and had a really great time. Christmas morning was spent listening to Raffi, watching Joey attempt to open gifts (failure), and eating cookies. Lindsey and I had a good haul this year, especially in the camping gear department. Lindsey also gave me a gift card to buy an amp (which I went and bought yesterday! It's a Crate V32 all tube, made in the USA Palomino, sweet warm tube tone!). Also, Lindsey and I made a children's CD for Joey, Lindz wrote the lyrics and I played the guitar and drums, and we both sang. It made everyone cry (success).

After Christmas morning we went over to Lindsey's Aunt Sally's place to meet another side of the family I had yet to encounter. It was a really great visit and I felt like I already knew everyone there because of the blog world. It was too bad we didn't have more time to visit, but we had to get a ride with Amanda and Brian down to the cities so we could catch a flight to NY the next morning. Amanda and Brian saved us the trouble of hitching and then sleeping in the airport by graciously putting us up in their house and then driving us to the airport, thanks again guys.

NY was a whirlwind of family, food, beers, and activities. It was great to spend a lot of time with everyone, and although we both thought six days would feel really short, we were able to make the trip seem really long. My high school band (Crooked Beat) was able to fit in a crappy reunion
jam, the family went bowling, we went out with all the neighbors for Caitlin's 21st B-Day, went to the local dive bar for some dancing on NYE, played a lot of Nintendo Wii, had a belated family Christmas, and much much more! Overall, the holidays were really great this year and I'm so glad that were able to spend so much time with all the families. In the words of Mr Magoo's Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone".

Christmas morning with the Aystas. Joey's not looking and the dogs were running around, it's perfect.

Derek gave Joey a couple of minutes to try out his new John Deere tractor, complete with farm animals.

Faceoff.

Too cute (Lindsey is attempting her new favorite photo move, the splayed "here is the ring" hand).

In NY, first day we went for BBQ, had sushi for dinner, and then watched a movie with the family (Superbad not being the best 'family' movie choice).

NYE at the Ten Pin (local dive-bar), Dad and I rocked the pool table while Lindsey and Caitlin rocked the dance floor.

NY couple photo

These are my buddies from home, Colin Brady and Chris Cimino, and my sister Caitlin.