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.