Test 2

I just thought that I'd drop in and update the world.

Grammy came to visit last week and I snapped a few pictures:



Despite what you see here, our Christmas decorations have been taken down.

The kids really loved having Grammy read books to them.

I'm unsure of exactly how many folks have been reading this blog, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been -- and extra special thanks to those who voted for my political blog in the 2008 Weblog Awards. Results:



Coming in with a majority of the voting at 29.3%, ThePajamaPundit.com was the big winner of the 'Best Hidden Gem' category. Whee!

Thank you!

Utterly shameless.

Vote for my website in the 2008 Weblog Awards. PLEASE!

Vote here.

That is all.

(thank you!)

From the McBrayer family to yours... Happy New Year!

The family took a field trip to 'the Mount' today. Although, I must admit that I will likely be chastised for referring to Mount Aloysius College as 'the Mount' when Melissa reads this. Apparently, the higher-ups at the College prefer 'MAC' (as in, "Mack").

Anywho.......

After we stopped into Melissa's office to grab a few things she needed, we took a walk around campus.

Photos abound:








[the statue is of St. Aloysius Gonzaga -- for whom the College is named]



It was indeed cold (hence no photos of Fiona), but the sun made for some great natural lighting. Plus, field trips are fun!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The kids got everything that they wanted from Santa.

Melissa and I got everything that we wanted from each other and other family members (I'm particularly partial to the subscription to The Atlantic magazine).

Now, the family is recovering from all of the family gatherings and travel to-and-from Huntingdon. Fiona is fighting a cold -- which Holden appears to also have caught.

Christmas Eve we all went to Bethel Presbyterian Church in Petersburg, Pennsylvania with Grammy, Noni, Little Grammy and Pappy. The kids were well behaved (much to my surprise).

Christmas morning Grammy, Noni, Little Grammy and Pappy all came to Hollidaysburg to have breakfast with us -- after which we opened presents. In the afternoon Popeye, Mamaw and uncle Sean all came over for Christmas dinner and presents.

On the 26th, we all went back to Huntingdon to Grammy & Noni's house for the Lang family get-together, at which Holden had a tremendous time playing with his (third) cousin Bella and her baby-brother Landyn. Landyn took quite a liking to Bert as well.

On the 27th, we all piled into the PT for one more trip to Huntingdon for a visit at Popeye and Mamaw's house. Aunt Naomi and cousin Eleanor (Popeye's sister and neice -- from Virginia) were in town and we all wanted to visit. Picture:



We also witnessed a surprise visit from Cliff Anders -- a high school friend whom Melissa and Bert haven't seen in several years.

While it has been an extremely busy few days, it has been exceedingly enjoyable for our entire family. We cherish each moment that we have with friends and loved ones -- and we are fortunate to have had many such moment in the past week.

This is what being a parent is all about -- particularly during the holiday season.

Before:



Approximately two hours later:



Thank you Grammy & Noni!

And, since it is now 12:22 a.m., Merry Christmas!

It's on in our household. In preparation, I've been showing the kids all of the old Christmas-y favorites. Here's one that Holden keeps asking for, over and over again:



I'll post more, as I'm begged to show them.

We were cleaning out Melissa's phone before she gave it back to Bucknell and found this video. It's from a year ago (or thereabouts), but I thought that it was definitely worth sharing...



Yeah. Totally worth it.