Merry Christmas...

Our family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve every year. It is usually a casual day were everyone stays in their lazy clothes and vegges out. We snack throughout the day with having no real food to save our appetite for our crab dinner. We have a few traditions that we have made over the years. At around four o'clock we usually start the cooking by throwing some baked potatoes into the oven and letting them cook for a couple hours. Then, when they are close to being done we start a huge stock pot full of water with some seasoning for the crab legs. While those are cooking I set the table with my mothers favorite Christmas plates, napkins, bowls, and wine glasses. Making sure everyone has a butter melter and all the utensils needed to crack the legs. Along with a waste bowl, for all our shells, tendons, and claws to be put into, instead of taking room on our plate. Along with a bowl full of salad to start off with while they are cooking, because we all know when the crab legs are done thats all we want and shove our side dishes over. I have shared a few pictures so you can get a glimpse of how we enjoy this once a year christmas tradition.

Crab legs bowling and just about done!

Each of us got 3 legs each, however, we

could only eat 2 and we were full.

Tyler decided to see if he could crack it

with his teeth.

Working hard to get to the

delicious meat.

Enjoying our amazing Christmas dinner. There was

no time to smile for pictures, we had crab meat to eat!

Mom working on her meal.

Dad working on his meal.

After dinner, my brother and I do the cleanup so my mom can have some relaxation time without having to do the dishes for once. She sat down and enjoyed a glass of dessert wine while Tyler and I worked to make sure the kitchen was cleaned up to her standards and all dishes were put away in there spots. Of course she had to snap a few pictures along in the process.

Tyler and I working hard at cleaning the

kitchen up for mom.

Dad finishing cracking the left over crab legs

and mom enjoying her wine and kicking back

to a job well done.

Typical picture. There always has to be one

of us making a face to ruin the picture for mom. As you noticed

the picture about was Tyler ruining it, now it was my turn.

A perfect picture of my brother and I. Just was she was

looking for the first time.

Once, the kitchen is clean and glowing with sparkles, we shut the television off, turn some Christmas music on, and pass around the presents from santa. As in most families we start with youngest (thats me), to Oldest (my dad) in opening presents. As we go one by one opening presents in order, taking pictures, filled with excitement, and peace knowing we are all here enjoying another Christmas together as a family. Here are a few picture to capture our excitement and joy that Santa brought us all.

The gift was super heavy and as soon

as I opened it I figured out what it was....

My Harry Potter Hardcover set! Yay, I was

so excited to get this.

My brother made out well with

a Blue Ray Player for his

new home.

Opening up his tool storage gift!

My mom fell in love with her

brand new Uggs that she got from my dad.

She also got four more beautiful wine glasses to complete

her Christmas Wine glass set.

Tyler and I got her a new putter for golfing, along

with some new colorful golf balls, and tees.

She is set for another year of summer league.

Dad opening one of many gifts of clothes. My mom

thought he needed a whole new wardrobe.

Tyler and I got him a Garmin GPS system.

He was very happy about this gift due to the fact

I'm moving to St. Paul, MN in January. You can

also notice the pile of clothes he got!

Santa also brought me a new pair of Uggs! I was

very happy girl to get these! I used and abused mine

from living in the bitter cold city of Duluth, MN. Although I'm

moving to St. Paul, MN I'm still going to need them living

in the Frozen Tundra.

Tyler got two very amazing pictures of deer to add

some excitement to his new painted walls in his home.

Here is the 1st one out of 2 that he got. Along with some

clothes and Blue Ray dvd's.

Another gift that santa totally shocked me with, was a Wii.

This has been a great to keep us occupied during our

blizzard.

This year has been another unforgettable Christmas with my family. I love them more

than words can express. This weekend we have been semi-snowed in; however, it has been

nice to spend some quality time all together. We have been occupying our time with plenty of snacks, holiday movies, and the Wii. I hope each and everyone of you had a blissful Christmas full of family laugher and good meals.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Winter Wonderland...

I woke up Christmas Eve and looked out my window to see this!

White fluffy snow covered everything. It was beautiful, but to travelers was probably a disappointment. Throughout the day the white fluffy snow fell from the sky so peacefully, until the wind picked up and made it a blizzard.

Merry Christmas to Minnesota...

Grab your boots, hat, mittens, and a shovel because 
Merry Christmas to Minnesota 
there is a blizzard on its way!


Or...


On better thought grab a blanket, a good book or movie and relax in your favorite spot in the living room. All cozzied up on the couch, with some steaming Hot cocoa, enjoying the night with the family. Nothing could be better than getting white fluffy snow for Christmas. A fresh new layer on the trees, roofs, and driveways just brings an extra special Christmas cheer. If it's going to be cold, there might as well be some white fluffy stuff too, right? I'm excited for this snow to come, Christmas songs will be more enjoyable to listen to while the beautiful snow falls outside. However, we may not be able to make the Pawlowski family Christmas this year in Fergus Falls, MN due to the blizzard, Christmas cheer is in my heart and no amount of snow will put a damper on my spirits and celebration of Christmas.

So, if you get snowed in tomorrow grab an extra cup of coffee or hot chocolate and enjoy a few extra Classic Christmas movies with you and your family. Enjoy that extra time you get to spend with them, bake some good food or goodies, and grab that book that has been collecting dust and actually finish reading it. Furthermore, break out those dusty board games, cards, and dice and bring back the good ol' times with laughter and creativity. Whatever it may be, just try and make the best of it even if your not spending them with your extended family. We all know living in Minnesota in these cold months can ruin plans in days, hours, or even minutes. Have a Merry Christmas wherever you may be!

Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

This beautiful display is above our fireplace.

Oh how I love being home...

Nothing beats coming home for the Christmas Season. Spending quality time with my family in my hometown. Driving through this little town brings back so many memories of my childhood, and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if it wasn't hosted in Warren with my family.  The smell of Christmas Tree or Christmas sugar cookie candles burning when I walk in the door is just one of many smells that puts a smile on my face.  Oh, how it feels good to be snuggled in on the couch, with my fuzzy of course, watching a movie with the family. Spending time with my mom baking, cooking, and roasting glazed nuts. Planning our Christmas meals, wrapping presents, Christmas Music playing, and my mom and I chit chatting are all things I love about being home.

Our beautifully decorated tree done by
my wonderful mother.

Oh how I love being home...

Today, I spent most of the day by myself while my parents were away at work. It was nice, peaceful and actually got a lot accomplished. For instance, finished wrapping on my presants for my parents and brother, finished glazing all the almonds for the Pawlowski Christmas, and even had some time to make my grandma's famous homemade Potato and Dumpling soup. It was a big hit for my dad when he got home. After about four helpings and a few breaks and then a few more helpings, he told me this stuff tastes like candy and I can't stop eating it. That sure made me feel good and put a smile on my face because it was my first time making it all by myself. After a pretty eventful day I'm now snuggled back on the coach with my fuzzy and a book called "The Chronicles of Narnia."  Did I mention oh how I love being home. :)

I end with a picture of my glazed almonds

in the drying process.... Simply Delicious!

Bentlyville...

(WARNING: This post is very long and full of pictures)

Tom and I enjoyed a relaxing evening in Duluth Saturday night (December 19th). It was my last night in Duluth and I wanted to make it fun and memorable. A local guy put on a light show for the community to go to free of charge. It was by the waterfront of Lake Superior, so we knew it was going to be a bitter cold event, but we were well prepared.  We put on our smartwool socks on, long underwear, sweaters, mittens, scarves, and jackets. We made sure our stomachs were full of  Chinese food at a local Chinese Restaurant and walked on over to a special light show called Bentlyville.  Throughout the event there was many opportunities to warm up. At the beganing and end of the light trails they had a stand, where you can get free hot chocolate and cookies. Later, down the trail of lights they offered freshly popped popcorn, It was a nice little treat. But, the best part was towards the end where they had fire pits roasting away with freshly cut wood. There was a stand that offered marshmallows on a stick for everyone to roast. It was a delightful treat, but sure got cold as soon as you started on the trail again.  Here are a few of many pictures I would like to share with you of our wonderful last night together. 

As we walked through gates of  Bentlyville

it introduced us as "Dashing Through the Snow"

So I decided to take a quick snapshot of us.

I wanted to get as many pictures as possible

as you scroll down you will see that I 

accomplished that task. 

Tom enjoying some steaming Hot CoCo..

Mmm Yummy, nothing hits the spot better on 

a cold night than Hot Chocolate. 

This is the little building that was handing 

out the Hot Chocolate and cookies.

The lights say "Cookie House"

This was the 1st thing we saw when 

we walked together into the gates. It was a

beautiful lighten castle.

A closer look at the "Cookie House" Light. 

Tom and I really enjoyed the 12 days of

christmas display. However, as we were singing the 

song together, we could not think of the words to 

the number 10. 

So, we went around the light show one more

time and finally we got it. So I decided to take 

another pictures so you could see the last 

of the numbers.

Another snapshot a volunteer took for us.

I really like this one it truly captures our 

enjoyment we have with each other and 

our Christmas Season spirits.

Another shot that I begged and pleaded with 

Tom to get a picture with one of Santa's

reindeer!

A beautifully lighten tunnel that sent us

on our way to roasting marshmallows.

Inside the tunnel. Tom was sick of smiling,

so he pulled out one of his many faces for 

this shot. How handsome right?

By Golly look who made it to this special event. 

SANTA!

We were suppose to capture the lift bridge

on this one, however it didn't really work.

I still really like it though. 

"Ginger Park" This was one out of many parks 

that they had displayed. This was one of my favorites.

They also had an 18 hole golf course lit up, penguin park,

and a neighborhood with people as their other parks. 

More of the gingerbread park. 

This was a very neat and fitting display for Duluth, MN.

It is a ship going into or out of the Harbor. The lift

bridge also blinked up, middle, and down

as if it was moving for the ship. The ship was

called S.S. Bentlyville.

Tom and I thought this was a very random 

display, however of all people, Tom 

was fascinated by it. 

This is a picture of people roasting marshmallows 

over an open fire. Along with a glimpse of some 

of the lights in the background. 

Santa and his reindeer heading across the world

to deliver presents for all his children.

We even got to travel the seven layers of the 

gumdrop forest. (quote for the Christmas movie

Elf) Tom and I both got some humor from this one

because from that moment on we quoted the 

movie elf throughout the night.  

Can't forget about the naivety scene.  I tell you they had 

everything you could think of that was related and non 

related to the Christmas Season.

and Noah's Ark...

Another capture before the night is over. 

As we walked out it said "... and to all a good night"

How perfect and fitting for a perfect evening 

out with my babe. 

But there was one more thing that 

Tom was itching to do. He spotted a 

Ice Rink that Bentlyville made for the 

Ice Skaters to come down and join in

on the Christmas Celebration.

So....

HE RAN...

AND SLIDED....

Just like any little kid would do if they 

spotted and ice rink. He will always

be a kid at heart and thats just
another aspect I love 
about  him.

I think we have grown accustomed to this bitter cold weather because when the night was said and done, we curled up on the coach in front of the fire place and talked about the fun we had together. Not once did we mention man it was cold out there, or I'm freezing lets go back. We not only went around the light show once, but twice. The second time, however I spotted a few extra things I didn't notice the first time, which was neat to experience.  That must mean we dressed appropriately for the occasion. I hope you enjoyed the light show pictures as much as we enjoyed going. All and all we accomplished another memorable evening out in the frozen tundra of  Duluth, MN.