Eveleth Home of Hockey Tournament

Shawn and I are chaperoning a St. Mark's hockey team trip to Minnesota. Currently, the team has played two games (1 win and 1 loss in overtime), we've visited the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, dined in some fine establishments in Eveleth and Virginia, taken in a few good saunas, and squeezed in a great visit with the Sundquists. Tomorrow, the team plays one more game, and we head back to the Twin Cities to go to a Wild game on New Year's Eve. Shawn also arranged a tour of the the arena and passes to watch the team's morning practice--good ol' Wild connections. Lachen and Aksel will meet us at the Xcel Center after a undoubtedly fun time at both grandparents' houses.

Shawn's snoring on the bed...I think I'll join him.

Lille Jul Aften

Aksel and Lachen were both at Lille Jul Aften, but Aksel positioned himself in front of the camera more often. Lachen was a shepherd this year, and Aksel was Joseph. We had four wise men this year offering gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh, and jar of body butter. It's what every baby really needs. (Double-click on the photos to enlarge them.)

We arrived early to avoid the snow storm, we enjoyed the batch of Guinness Clone Shawn and the boys made at Thanksgiving as well as some hard cider pressed from Dad's apple trees. Soooo delicious. Good times dancing around the tree, the pageant, Christmas carols, and great food. I know that I ate 3 dozen cookies...and that is no exaggeration.

Christmas is coming!

My computer and camera are not speaking to each other right now. I'm not sure if this is some sort of holiday tiff or if one of them have contracted a virus. In any case, I can't post the Christmas Pageant videos right now. I can tell you that Lachen did an excellent job as a speaker up at the big pulpit with a microphone. He spoke clearly and flawlessly. What a relief that he takes after his father and not his warbly-voiced mother! I didn't tell him, but I had a wretched gut ache all morning. Apparently his butterflies were in my stomach instead of him.

Aksel was decked out as a shepherd and he belted out his choir's songs with gusto. This is definitely his forte. His favorite was "Go Tell it on the Mountain." We had watched our Lille Jul Aften friend, Sofie Stern, sing at her church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLzOSczFchA and then we watch a couple episodes of Glee to inspire showmanship and projection. The research definitely paid off!

The boys have their piano recital on Thursday at 7:00. Aksel's wearing a red vest that Grandma knit for Peter, and Lachen and I have our horns locked over his attire. Stay tuned for videos of these performances.