New Years Eve 2013

Our last few days of 2013 and the early days of 2014 were spent in DC with many of our long time friends.  I actually wish I had taken more pictures as I missed getting some with a few people.

Chopping wood at the Hardy house in VA.

Tea party at the Pryslaks.

Rachel at the girls' tea party.

This girl!

Axis and Allies, all set up to play...they played all afternoon until almost midnight.

The guys, playing games.

The boys, playing tanks downstairs.

Rachel got a really neat new scarf...two actually.

New scrapbooking materials.

Ahh, Spencer and Goofy.

I think Tony liked the movie he got.

Perfect book for him!

Lizzie likes her books, too.

Duck Tape!

First family photo of the new year.

Back at the Eiland's house, we opened a few more gifts....Gwangi got some games and tank stuff.

Krypto, games and puzzles.

Sissi, craft stuff...

and a design your own princess story kit.

Christmas Town at the Creation Museum

On our way from Indiana to DC, we were able to stop in Kentucky and stay with our friends the Smirenskis.  That night was the last night of Christmas Town at the Creation Museum, and Marina recommended we head on over there and check out the free lights and entertainment.  We had a wonderful time.  I'm just sorry we didn't get a picture of us all together...next time!

Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus.

Walking over the bridge...a little like Narnia with the lamp posts.

My cute boys.

I like how this shot turned out with the lights.

Really cool blue light "balls"

One of the Wise Men, telling about his travels and what it was like to find the Baby.

I really loved this "water pool" all decorated for Christmas.

Trees and lights.

Riding on the camels.

More decorations.

The kids walking toward the bridge.

Reflections in the water.

I really like this gazebo.

...and this one as well.

You could get kettle corn there...I loved the name of the company.

Tubing at Timber Ridge

After Christmas, we went over to Michigan and tried some tubing.  There is an awesome hill set up there at Timber Ridge, I highly recommend it!

You get a tube and you sit in it, the guys at the bottom hook you up on cable line with a bar that tows you up the hill.

Here is Gwangi, going down.

Indy, all decked out in winter gear...it's been a few years since all of this stuff was out of storage.

You can see the bar and tow rope that are pulling Indy up the hill.

The girls, coming down.  Sissi has her arms spread wide...she loved it!

Lara, at the top of the hill, getting ready to be released.

Sissi, waiting for her release.

When you get to the top of the hill, the bar releases you and you slide down an embankment.  You have to roll out of your tube, pick it up, and pull it to the top of the hill to slide down.

Here is Ruth, right at the top.

Being released and coming around the corner.

Sliding on the embankment to the top of the hill.

Maria...the ability to do that shocked look obviously runs in your family :)!

Miss Penny, being pulled by her mommy.

You could connect up to 4 tubes together to go down the hill.  Super fun to spin each other coming down!

Here is the group, getting ready for a run.

Had to do silly faces!

...and then silly poses, period!  My Krypto.

Ok, we're ready to go down now, get in and cousin Ruth will pull you to the top.

Oh yeah, she's cool!

I was in my tube, being pulled up the hill and looking down the hill, when I took this picture.  Absolutely loved this day, so much fun!