As mentioned in the past, Brynna is really into writing and drawing right now. Currently, B is coping with Marcy and I going to Vegas for a weekend by drawing pictures for us to take with us. She presented me with mine the other night: It was a princess based on this:Then she showed me the picture she made for Marcy:
and of course I thought:

It turns out those are crystals and not an artistic reenactment of when B saw me getting out of the shower a couple of weeks ago. Phew.

Ice Fishing

Somehow, over the weekend, the damfam was convinced to head out for a bit of ice fishing. I used to go a bunch as a kid and remember having a great time so when the opportunity arose, we snatched it up, wrapped it in a hankie and tucked it gently in my pants pocket. That didn't make any sense what-so-ever.

Lilly holding the first big catch of the day. A pickerel or as Brynna called it, a pickel.

B keeping a safe distance from the gross stuff as she watched Jamie and Lilly deal with one of the many pickels we caught that day.

maintaining the safe distance

the kids getting ready to do stupid, kid type things, off of a very large rock. I see the evil in Brynna's and Wyatt's eyes.

more snowshoeing

getting geared up. baby girl rode in the pack with me.

Brynna breaking trail. Shockingly, the tiny little wippet she tried to hold onto didn't help her stay up.

snow

Let it snow!

Finally, winter is really here. As most of you are probably well aware, Maine got dumped on over the weekend and our own little micro-climate got even more than tallies throughout most of the state. By my very unofficial "almost up to my knees" check we got nearly 16" of freshy fresh pow pow over the weekend. Just look at the wood pile below:

To celebrate the occasion the whole DamFam headed out on Sunday for a quick snowshoe adventure. The occasion would mark Brynna's very first time out on her own snowshoes. We didn't expect much considering how deep the snow was but were totally amazed at how quickly she took to it. As a matter of fact, she even broke trail for a bit.

breaking trail

Christmas 2009

Not many pictures from Christmas this year. A certain munchkin has finally embraced the excitement of opening presents. It was all a blur for the camera. Christmas for the former DAMNelsons began at my Dad's house the Sunday before. Although there were four girls between the ages of 7 and 2 it was a generally relaxing time. The kids opened presents and played while the adults sat around in their post-meal comas.


B striking a pose in the hat Nana and Grampa had made for her.

The girls taking over Grampa's recliner.

Event number 2 took place at our new digs on Christmas Eve. B spent the entire day in her jammies - finally putting her dress on when she saw Uncle Rusty, Aunt Cara and Max coming down the driveway. Shorly after Mimi and Papa and Great Grammie Parker arrived. A small portion of a 16 pound rib roast was consumed (more on THAT later) followed by more present opening.


Cousins B and Max.

B and baby girl in their matching Bitty Baby jammies from Mimi and Papa. Two days later the spud finally took the nightie off so I could wash it!

On Christmas morning we welcomed the rest of the Nelson clan - Grammie and Grampie, Uncle Darren and Great Grammie Madeline. B-girl awoke at 5 a.m. ready to get things rolling. Thankfully she managed to find 4 hours of patience while waiting for everyone to arrive and finish breakfast. When she was finally unleashed there was no stopping her!

Playing in her new Tinker Bell tent with Uncle Rusty and Max.

Soon Daddy joined in...

and then Uncle Darren. The kids soon vacated (not sure if it was the smell or the fact that the tent was stifling hot) leaving three grown men in the Tinkerbell tent...