More Christmas morning.

Christmas Morning

Baltimore Blizzard

We made it to Baltimore last weekend in order to get snowed in.

First Uncle John's car and then Uncle John got buried.

Elias dove right in too.

Surveying the scene with Grandma Evey.

Taking a walk on the newly shoveled path. Then back inside for hot chocolate.

Nope.

Not these either.

Elias Sings "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

This is our video response to Jack jamming out with his dad. Jenny captured Elias singing Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer while I wrote the last post about Christmas cookies. Holiday cheer is at an all-time high in our house right now. Yes, he is still singing.

Christmas Cookie Exchange

I've been baking test cookies for the upcoming Christmas cookie exchange (note to siblings: I am taking this VERY seriously). This batch didn't make the cut. Tasty, but just not good enough. The recipe is for "trios" from Epicurious. The cookie is a cross between a sugar cookie and shortbread--sugary, buttery, and crumbly--and it's filled with cherry, blackberry, and apricot jam.


Delicious? Yes. A winner? No. Elias liked the jelly, though.

Let the holidays begin.

This weekend's snow inspired us to begin the Christmas celebrations.
The cold and wet ride out to the trees.
The freezing temperatures and snow allowed us to choose quickly.

As Matt was cutting down the tree, Elias said, "Mommy lets go somewhere away from dad and find the most awesomest Christmas tree we ever saw."

Warming up after cutting down a less awesome Christmas tree.

Nothing warms you up better than hot popcorn and a hotdog.

Trimming the tree.

Helping dad make some adjustments to the tree.

Rasselas, Pennsylvania

Grandma and I took a trip to Rasselas, PA to see where her grandparents lived and where she spent her summers. This is a photo looking down the hill from the Catholic church, past the railroad tracks visible in the foreground. Her grandparents lived in the first house on the right past the railroad tracks. The house is still there. Grandma told me that when she was a girl there were no trees there, just farmland.

We also visited the church, which is directly to the left of the photo, where Grandma went to mass when she stayed with her grandparents. The church is no longer used regularly, although it is still maintained as a devotional chapel and we were able to go inside. The names of several Weidert relatives are on the stained glass windows. Ten Weidert children immigrated to Rasselas, PA from Tuntange, Luxembourg in 1847, so there are lots of Weiderts in Rasselas. The relatives that sponsored the stained glass windows were cousins of Grandma's grandmother, Emma Weidert.

Interestingly, there are also lots of Weiderts still in and around Tuntange, Luxembourg. The original family manor still stands and is owned by Weidert descendents.

Fall in Huntingdon

Grandpa on Skateboard

Playing at home

This is Elias's impression of a "bad bee". He ran around chasing me like this. I think his fingers are the stinger.

Now one might think this is a king, but it was Elias pretending he was a pirate by the name of Archemedes.

Playing hard makes a boy hungry.

Larriland Farm

Exhausted boy = Elias being tired eventhough it was his mother that carried him to the apple picking and throughout the pumpkin patch.

Pumpkin picking = Uncle Chris picking the unripened green pumpkin Elias picked out.
Pumpkin holding = Uncle Chris holding the pumpkin for Elias, while Elias gives a half hearted smile for the camera.

Apple picking = pulling an apple with both hands off the tree, dropping it, and then picking it up off the ground.

Pumpkin Patch

It was a perfect Fall day here, so we went to the pumpkin patch and jumped off the stack of hay bales. Yeah, we're country.

First Day of Preschool

It was a big day for the Powells of Pennsylvania. Elias had his first day of preschool today.

Thomas backpack that he only put on for the picture, Mommy had to carry it the rest of the time.

After washing hands, it was time to play. Elias headed straight for the trains.

" You guys are still here?" This is Elias and his best pal Nathan.

Elias returned home happy and covered with paint, he painted a picture of rain. When asked why he didn't wear a smock, "they were for the other kids". When asked why he didn't drink his milk at snack, "there was no milk, other kids drank it". Apparently, they also learned about tall tales at school today.

Our Newest Nephew

We are so excited to welcome our newest nephew Desmond to the family. He is a very adorable baby.

The proud Aunt.

Jenny's Birthday/Fountain Fun

We spent Jenny's birthday at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, where Elias enjoyed the new water fountain. Fountains are one of Elias's favorite things.

Swim Lessons/First Traumatic Experience

We had a great summer playing at the pool, until...

Swim lessons.

Who is this woman touching me?

Daddy, get me out of here. Later Elias was quoted saying, "that teacher is not a nice girl."

We survived the week (barely) and have gone back to the pool to have fun, but in general swim lessons were not a good experience for Elias.

MacDonald Family Reunion Pictures

The Powells won the attendance award this year.

Chasing Michael, always fun.

Yum!

Now for dessert!

Ironically, this picture was taken before the family reunion.