Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Goodbye Kata

After 3 months working as a travel nurse in Philadelphia Kata is headed back to Minnesota. Ben and I really enjoyed having her so close. Here are a few of our favorite things we did before she headed out.


The Naked Chocolate Cafe

Mani Pedis

A Full Plate Cafe

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Chipotle!

Chipotle has arrived in Philly! It is so nice to have a little piece of MN here!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

On Terrible Life Choices

What does one do in grad school?
Why take classes of course. This semester will see Ben take three courses at Temple, one at Princeton Seminary, and two private reading courses with profs. So, if you must call us for a chat,by George, call Toni! BTW, the classes are pretty interesting this spring: Cold War and Destalinization, International, Transnational, and Globalization History, 20th Century US History, and the Search for a Christian Nation (Religion and Politics). Each has a reading list of about twenty books and 10,000 words of writing. Someone once told me, "Grad students aren't bad people, they just make terrible life choices." Life couldn't be better.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Auntie and Uncle's First Christmas

We were blessed a wonderful family Christmas this year. It was even better than usual because we spent twelve days in Minnesota--suddenly a term of endearment--without stepping into one movie theater or shopping mall. Gasp!

We'd like to believe our anti-commerical Christmas came to place because of our oh-so-very spirited anti-Nintendo-Wiiness (lie), but upon further reflection, it occurred because of two very busy additions, or rather, replacement entertainment--newborn Ethan and baby Elise. We think the world would be a better place with more of these fun little tots slowing down the fast paced holiday season, and we're thankful that Ben's older sister Sara and brother John followed Shakespeare's dictum, "the world must be peopled." That said, we are grateful that we still get to sleep through the night.


McLaren/Bergstrom/Adams/Brandenburg Families

In 2008, we're back in Philadelphia/Camden gearing up for the academic dash and resting up after our marathon drive from Minnesota. Our usual half-day trip back to the east turned into a 24 hour Le Mans race complete with six inches of snow on the Cleveland interstate. What's wrong with those people? Someone call Drew Carey.

Brandenburg/Muhr Families

If you bump into Ben, he's made the overly ambitious resolution to do one push-up everyday and needs all the encouragement in the world! Happy New Year's to you all. Ein glückliches neues Jahr and a Gott Nytt År to you all!