Sam at work

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Christmas photos

Merry Christmas greetings from Cape Cod Pl. I am sorry that we didn't get to our Christmas Cards this year. It was the first time in at least 9 years we didn't get them printed and sent in time. Maybe we'll get em made and sent by valentine's day.

Christmas around here was like an infirmary, for the most part. On the 23rd, Ezra got very sick with the flu. Then we just about postponed everything for Christmas Eve, but he rallied at about 11 a.m. that day. We went to Church and had Jonathan and his kids and Grandma and Grandma over for dinner.

On Christmas Day at about noon, Christina got sick. I took all the kids sledding, and that must have put Roman over the edge, because the next night he was up half the night; throwing up all over me and in his room.

Christina slept for 22 hours before waking up and running at about half-speed for two days. She finally recovered, but not enough for us to go to Grand Forks last weekend. Ivy also came down with a tough cold this week - but she's improving from that.

Now we're making plans to go to Grand Forks for part of the New Years.

Here's a bunch of photos from the past few weeks. Most of them are self explanatory.

Christmas Eve 

Levi, Roman and Ivy bought Ezra a guitar for Christmas

Glow Pillow Pets are all the rage.

Yep. It's a real tree.

This is sidways, but it shows Levi and Ezra getting along well, practicing the paint spinner.

We accomplished most of the things on our Christmas list (click to enlarge)

We made an awesome snowman during a nice warmup we had in Minnetonka this week. He's about 80 percent complete in this photo.

We all went to the Plymouth Dome to run around on Monday. It was freezing in there (literally) but the kids still had fun on the inflatable slides and playing soccer on the artificial grass.

This is Roman (red coat) and Levi (blue)

Christmas Eve visit to grandpa and grandma's house in Savage.

Brislin family portrait.

Levi and Ezra check out the stockings at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Know anybody that has an extra treadmill motor? Ours is broken.

We put away our Christmas decorations on Dec. 30. The earliest we've ever done that. This singing tree "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" is one of the few that gets to stay out a while longer. He's decked out.

...and to all a good night.

Xmas list

Ezra played Joseph in the pre school christmas play

we took the kids to see the second to last hollidazzle parade.

we saw the poinsettias at Como Park Coonservatory.

perfect weather for sledding down the water tower hill with James from next door.

We all went to the Phalen Park light show that you drive through in your car with the family. These are the three wise camels. 

roman and Ivy see dad at work

First book

Ezra read his first book to me today. I was very impressed with his ability to sound out the words.

Photos

As promised. Here are some overdue Black family photos. Remember, if you're interested in a bigger version, click the picture. We'll try to keep more up to date during November and December. Thanks for reading and reconnecting with us as we reconnect with Black Tidbits.  - SAB

Family bike ride from Ezra's perspective in the ride-behind-trailer.

We worked together on a New York City 700 piece puzzle

The puzzle we all finished. It took about 10 days.

We're watching pictures of Jonathan in the Grand Forks "mudder" run. That's Rolf in the back. And the woman holding the phone is Michelle Midstokke, who has been dating Jonathan.

Cross country meet over by the HS football field. Roman and Ivy got ribbons. Levi improved his time over the course of the four meets. I think he ended at 6:50. He remembers the time, I'm sure.

Classic smile. Classic trike.

Uncle Jake running the Pig Roast half-marathon in G.F.

Jake and Kirby after his race.

It was very wet that morning. But Jacob ran through it.

Our kids enjoyed Grand Forks. You could say at one stop they were 
as happy as kids in a candy store.

At Christina's old school.

Uncle Isaac's new puppy - who has probably doubled in size 
and I bet she can totally out-muscle 8-year-old Levi by now.

Cute puppy.

"First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, Daniel-san, not mine."

Concordia's 1998 College Reunion - This portion of the building was converted from an old dorm dining area into a cool new business school.

Go Cobbers!

Annual Nature Center. Preschool trip.

Ezra making cider.

Ezra and Daddy went to the nature center.

One fall Saturday night we all tried something new and made some fried spring rolls.

Here's the final product. Yum. 

Levi's 8-year baptism anniversary. 

A late, late summer run for me. I think this was the 20 mile day.

Before the Twin Cities Marathon - with Caribou Coffee's seldom-seen mascot.

Another Bou'tiful picture.

Sam, before the race. Next year at this time, the Metrodome will be demolished.

Family after I was done with the marathon. My time? 3:39 Not terrible, but about 15 minutes slower than I had trained for because I went out too fast. Guess forgot the old adage: "It's a marathon, not a sprint."

The awesome drawing Ezra did of the race and everyone in our family cheering for me.

Christina took this photo - so professional.

This is great too!

Ivy's not very excited about her first haircut.

She was much happier when she got home and could show off the cool braid in her hair and had a sticker and a sucker.

A few of Levi's friends from school.

Carving.

Rock star, Zombie ninja, clown, 70s girl, fire fighter, dragon.

Evaluating her haul.

A Halloween photo with Ivy (clown) and Madison (hippy?)

First time in a roller rink, and first time on roller skates for Levi and Ezra. A blast.

Levi and Daddy at the Gophers and Nebraska game.

Pregame with the band playing. A highlight.

A beautiful stadium. (taken from our heated, indoor viewing area.)

The Gophers fans rushed the field after we won!

Stickball, fall, 2013

"I'm gonna watch you shine"

Byerly's Boo Party

That's a cello in the background. We went to a concert for young people at Hopkins High. Levi was so sweet. He stood inline and got little balloons for Roman and Ivy, even though he really really wanted one himself. It was super generous.

We had a few beautiful fall days to rake.

Big helpers!

Happy brothers.

Ezra and James made a nest out of leaves.

Ezra and James invited Roman and Ivy to "watch some TV."