More Bowling!

Ever since we went bowling last time, Islwyn has been asking to go bowling again and to invite some friends.  He especially wanted Phinneas and Ethan to come.  And we finally got to do it last night.  It was so much fun!

Islwyn watching other people bowl.  I think he is thinking up his strategy.

Bowling!
Papa helping.
Bowling with Mama.
Mama helping.
Front view of him tossing his ball...but you can't actually see the ball.  But he is holding one and getting ready to throw it.
Organizing the balls with Phinneas.
Phinneas bowling.
There it goes!
Phinneas' Papa helping get the balls organized.
And I thought I had some pics of Ethan bowling too--but can't find them!  Ethan was the best bowler.  He could really get the ball going.  Maybe Ethan's Mama got some I can add later...

Also, us adults played two games.  None of us were very good.  The guys tried to just throw the ball as hard as they could thinking it would knock the most pins down...while the girls tried to aim for the middle I think.  Neither techique did so well.  I think the highest score was 60.  And I don't mean to brag...but I did win both games!  ALthough Jonathan was the only one who got a spare.  No one got a strike.  Now before all you midwesterners start being horrified at how badly we played...this is a different game of bowling than we have at home...it is MUCH harder to knock all the pins down...

After we played we all went out to dinner together and had a great time.  There were no melt downs by children or anything.  It was miraculous.

Snow!

We got a TON of snow yesterday and last night--on top of all the snow we already had.  So Islwyn and I were going to go outside and have a sled ride/make a snow man.  Unfortunately the snow was way too fresh and fluffy to even make a snow ball.  So we couldn't make a snow man.  And then the snow was so high and fluffy I couldn't even walk through it to pull him in the sled.  He didn't seem to mind though.  He made a whole bunch of snow angels.

Ate a whole bunch of snow--his favorite thing to do in the snow.
Eating more snow.  You can see our christmas tree is still sitting on our porch...
Islwyn tried to walk in the snow--but just ended up falling in up to his chest.
Still super fun though!

Big Christmas Trip

We took a long train ride to see my parents this Christmas.  All my sisters and brother were there for Christmas and we had so much fun!

Here is Islwyn riding the train.

Grandpa with baby Jens.
The family before heading to church.
Christa.
Grandpa and Jens again.
Minka.
Rob and Mical.
Minka's present from Jonathan.
Aaron and me.
Islwyn on his new trike.
Hanging with cousin Emmanuel.
Eating breakfast with Grandpa and Papa.
New Years Eve popcorn party!!!!  Hanging with Leslie--playing a game of pool.

Here are pics from the "after" popcorn party (after Islwyn went to bed).  Grandpa and Aaron are spinning.

Mama right in front of the big table of FOOD!


Minka and Grandpa breaken' it down--with Christa and Peter.

Grandpa and Christa chatting.

Aaron spinning.
From our train on the way home.  This is the oldest train station in the country -- Martinsburg WV.  And also I think one is of Harper's Ferry.

Islwyn hanging out on the TOP bunk in our sleeper car.
Playing guitar with Papa.
...and with grandpa.