New Years Eve

Peter wanted to get "dressed up" on New Year's Eve. He put on his bat costume and decided to take a nap in Kahlua's new dog bed.

Christmas Day

I was up before anyone and had plenty of time to enjoy a cup of coffee and some quiet. Jeff and Peter woke up around 9:00 AM. We started with our stocking first and took our time opening the gifts. Peter was so excited with his marbles and was devastated that Santa did not brign him his rocket. We found out later that Santa hid it at the very back of the tree. Peter got a lot of books and looked at each one before moving onto another present, he is such a librarian's son! Jeff got some unusual gifts from my parents, and as usual Jeff went overboard with the gifts he bought me, and as usual I took many of them back. I did keep the guitar, and I am hoping to take lessons this year.

Christmas Eve

We got all decked out to spend our first Christmas Eve in Pennsylvania alone. We went to an early church service and Peter fell asleep on the way to the church. It was a candle light service and was enjoyable. The church was Manor Presybyterian. They had a big youth group and we even saw a living nativity there.

Blizzard Conditions

Daddy and Peter Pre fat lip

Nanny and Peter Pre-black eye

Peter woke up and said, "mom there is snow on the silos."

The storm came from the south, which is always a good sign to produce some snow, but we had at least 18 inches. Ironically my parents had stopped by our house on their way to visit their favorite child, my brother and his family for Christmas. My mom had a great time sledding with Peter. We had two accidents and Peter wound up with a black up and a fat lip. He likes the snow, he doesn't like sledding now.

Nativity

Since birth Peter has been convinced of two things at Christmas:
1) he was born in a manger
2) Charlie Brown in Baby Jesus' dad
We were on a mission this year to show him that he differently. We set out with good intentions to see three nativities. It was freezing so we only saw one.

Gaylord and ICE

Lobby of the Gaylord

The main attraction for us to stay in the Gaylord was the package for ICE. The pictures do not do it justice. It was amazing. Peter loved to slide down the ice slide with Jeff. We had two extra tickets so we invited our friend Kristen and her daughter to join us. As we headed back to Pennsylvania it began to snow.

Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor DC

The rear of the Gaylord Hotel

Tree on the Harbor

Future NHL Star

We spent a very expensive night at the Gaylord hotel to see the most amazing show called ice. Friday night Peter and Jeff got to spend some time breaking in Peter's new hockey skates. Skating was beautiful because it was outside with Christmas music playing. We saw some amazing lights and some great street shows. Disney is building a resort at the harbor, so we can only imagine the next few years how the shows will improve.

More Good "old" friends

My parents came for a visit and so did Eddie and Trish Colfer. People just can't stay away from the farm. We had yet another wonderful meal, and went for an amazing long walk. We have now started a tradition on Hickory Hollow Farm, when you visit we will take your photo for our wall of fame in our kitchen.

Combine Ride

My father is the first family member to get a ride in the combine. Mr. Harnish and my father harvested soy beans from a neighboring farm on Saturday night. He is responsible for the quick video clip.

Bella

Lauren called me to find her a Golden Retriever puppy. Wil was going to buy her one for Christmas, but if you know Lauren, she simply could not wait. So on Thursday, Lauren and Wil drove up from Colonial Beach, Virgina and purchased Bella, from a Memmonite family in Gap, Pennsylvania. She left her mark on our hearts and our carpets. Meet Bella......

Harvest Time

Peter and I came home on Tuesday to a strange sight. Mr. Harnish had begun to harvest his own crops. The fields in front of us were harvested using a chopper which takes all the corn and stalks and grinds it up for cattle feed. The fields behind us were harvested using a combine. This machine grinds the stalks and only saves the kernels. The waste is kicked back onto the land and a machine will come by and later bale the discard into hay. Corn kernels are put into grain bins for storage, and dried for excess moisture.

Oxford Main Street Halloween Parade

Horses

Oxford Feed and Lumber gave out pumpkins

Tipping Tractor from CARS

John Deere Tractor

Parade paraphernalia

Tonight, another small town America night. We took our blanket and warm jackets and lined the main street in Oxford for an hour and a half parade. We saw both the high school and middle school marching bands, fire engines, ambulances, and even tractors! One small business instead of throwing candy gave away small pumpkins. It was a great event. So many people participated.

Another...Great Friends, Great Food, Great Visit

Aunt Coleen reading to Peter

Taking a ride on Uncle Tony's shoulders

awww.....

Coleen and Tony came to visit. It is such a more reasonable drive than the commute to Southern Maryland. Coleen came armed with goodies for Peter's Birthday and Halloween. We did the creek tour which included a visit to the hogs and of course the meadow. Tony got a visit with the chickens and we had another delicious farm meal. (I made pulled pork and Jeff made an apple pie) YUMMY!

Trick or Treat

We went to Wendell and Annette's for Halloween. Truly the best place to get candy because one of their neighbors gave out KING SIZE candy bars!! Peter had a good time, I think he was more interested in playing with all of Connor and Chelsea's toys. Chelsea and her friends were very considerate of Peter and waited for him at all the houses.

Swim Lesson Number 1

I signed Peter up for swimming lessons at the YMCA in Cecil County, Maryland. It is 15 miles from us, versus the YMCA of Chester County, Pennsylvania, which is 11 miles. Peter's first lesson was on Halloween. I think I got more wet than he did as he was relucant to stay with the class. The instructor really lacked good little kid skills, so I think Peter didn't feel a bond. He said he loved being in the water, and even in the one picture, he looks 'happy'. She gives us a report card that says Peter needs improvement! What does she know? He can blow bubbles in the bathtub and easily floats on his back too! I am certain with some coaxing he will be swimming laps around her. :)

Herr's Potato Chip Halloween

Chipper and Peter

Checking the loot

Peter isn't so sure about Chipper

Waiting for the hayride

"Cheese" curls

We have been taking advantage of where we live. And again tonight we were not disappointed. Peter got dressed up in his Bat costume for Trick or Treat at the Herr's Potato Chip Factory. The Herr's are our neighboring farm. Peter was greeted by the mascot Chipper, and we trick-or- treated our way through the factory. We even got to sample warm chips. It was really fun and free. Peter enjoyed one of his nine bags of chips on the hayride and we then ate dinner at the local Miss Oxford Diner, where we are becoming regulars. Click on my blog title for the link to Herr's Chips.

Great weather, Great Friends, Great Visit!

How high up?

Jackie and Matty

The beautiful Straiton Family

We had our friends Sharon and Matt visit on Sunday. The weather was perfect for a stroll to the creek and to see the pigs. We did not venture too far into the meadow, but Matt did take a turn at climbing the silo. I really think they were surprised at our little piece of paradise. We went to get ice cream at Kilby Cream, from cow to cone in two days! We carved pumpkins and I must say that farm life has made me quite a cook. We had french dip sandwiches and Jeff made apple pie. I hope everyone can see just how lucky we are to be living at Hickory Hollow Farms.