2011 The Year in Review

It's that time again - the time when every media outlet has looked back at the year that has just passed and is serving up their "Best Of" and "This Happened" lists. It is no different in the Northern household. The year is reviewed - and there have been some major events and many, many activities this past year. So much has happened that it would be impossible to write a report about all of it. (Even the 'highlight reel' would be several pages!)

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So, as NorthernDaddy is prone to do when he gets lazy, there will be a collection of photos showing parts of the past year. The Northerns found that, even holding to a photo essay, there is too much to share, so you'll only see about a third of the pictures they wanted to post. Some photos will be repeats from blog posts and some will be new to our readers.

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The NorthernBaby Premium Propaganda Machine is proud to present their annual report showing why the North Country is the Best Place to Raise a Child. (Alternate title: Damn, That Three-Year-Old Is Gonna Run Mommy and Daddy Into the Ground.)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

-text from A Charlie Brown Christmas  (Where Linus recites Luke 2:5-14)

Merry Christmas

Darn Blinking Angel

NorthernToddler has a thing against the angel topping the Northern's Christmas Tree. Mommy and Daddy aren't sure why Toddler is anti-angel, but it came on suddenly this last week. One day at dinner, Toddler started griping about the angel on top of the tree needing to come down and be replaced by a bright star like the one on the tree at Papa Frank's. (NorthernDaddy had nothing to do with this even though he likes the star better, too. Nope, wasn't me. Wink, Wink....)

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NorthernToddler decided that tonight was the night - the angel's coming down. He grabbed his broom and sneaked to the tree. Up with the broom - up on his tippy toes - and FLASH! - Mommy caught him in the act.

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Santa's bringing coal this year....

Meeting Santa

Totally Missed It

The NorthernClan was rolling back from Stowe (see http://haphazardlysustainable.blogspot.com/2011/12/loving-life.html) and, as they passed through Waterbury, they passed a few houses, some stores, and a car wash. Then NorthernDaddy spotted this yard full of inflatable Christmas decorations. He told NorthernToddler and Mommy to "look out the window over there". As we passed, Mommy said, "Wow! Look at that!)

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NorthernToddler looked up from his candy cane and said, "Yup - that sure was a big car wash...."

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Dude, you missed that?!

Punkin Chunkin

NorthernToddler's cousin Jackson convinced the family to watch a television show after Thanksgiving dinner - it was about Pumpkin Chunking.

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This morning, NorthernMommy shot some video of Toddler's take on Chunkin.

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This one's for you, Jack. 

Northern(Santa)Mommy Runs

NorthernMommy continues in her quest to run a race every month of the year. This month, it was the inaugural Burlington Santa Race. NorthernMommy did well - she finished in the top quarter of a field of 1200 participants - but she is definitely trying to make NorthernDaddy and Toddler's job of spectating more difficult. The first hurdle for our race crew? -- It was very cold. Low forties with a strong wind whipping the city. The second hurdle?-- Take a look at the photo below. It shows Toddler pushing NorthernMommy through her pre-race warmup jog (he's a very strict trainer!). Got a good idea of what Mommy looks like? Go to the next photo....

Now try to find NorthernMommy. Darn near impossible with 1200 other people dressed exactly alike. It's like playing a real-life version of "Where's Waldo?".

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Ho, Ho, Ho!