Twin Cities vs. Philadelphia

In the end of October our dear family and friends visited us in Philadelphia. The cultural differences are becoming more obvious to these east coast transplants. The Twin Cities has that whole "nice" thing down, Philadelphians get "right to it." The Twin Cities has, well they have that temple of consumerism, the Mall of America. Philadelphia has the Liberty Bell. The Twin Cities has lakes, Philadelphia has Jim Thorpe. The Twin Cities has Brett Farve (finally) and Philadelphia has Michael Vick. The Twin Cities has Saint Paul, Philadelphia has Camden. We're thankful that this country has some differences, and we're thankful that our friends and family from afar remind us that difference is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Thank you for making the trip out!


The Folletts over for Sunday Dinner.


Mom & I excited after seeing the Diana exhibit.


A beautiful fall day in Jim Thorpe, Pa.


Dad, Mom, Toni, Ben & Berlin overlooking Jim Thorpe.



The girls back at our place for another Sunday Dinner :)
Toni, Kata, Susan, Colleen & Mindy

Thanksgiving in Fishtown

Tonight we had Thanksgiving Dinner with our neighbors in our courtyard. It was a beautiful 70 deg night. Everyone brought out delicious food and drinks with the big treat being the deep fried turkeys! Thanks for the fun night everyone.

Halloween in Philly

Berlin had a great first trick-or-treating experience, getting lots of doggie treats from the neighborhood. Thanks for the costume Cousin Bailey!

Fall in the Poconos

A few weekends ago Ben and I were able to head up to the Poconos with some good friends for camping and hiking in the beautiful Pennsylvania 'mountains'.

It was Berlin's first real experience with the wilderness and he loved it!


Family Photo with the Fall Foliage


A Beautiful Day Hike


Berlin Enjoying the 'Wilderness'

The Brandenburgs Take Yorktown

Let's start with setting the record straight. Yes, Ben's family did have a mini family reunion in Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown, the so called "historical triangle" in Virginia, but for once Ben's obsession in the past had nothing to do with the location. Turns out the triangle is right in the middle of the 3 Brandenburg brothers.

It was wonderful to catch up with our super smart niece Elise and watch the cousins, Berlin and Bailey, romp through Colonial Williamsburg. Other highlights included talking to the archaeologist who discovered historic Jamestown and watching Paul fly his toy helicopter near the Canadian Geese. And oh yeah, watching a 40 year old quarterback do his thing.


The Brandenburgs


Cousins


The Brothers ready for the Vikings/Packers Game

A Philly Wedding

Our now blissfully married friends Hailey and Jason kicked it off in grand Philly style: a block party with cheese steaks! Need we say more. Congrats!


The Ceremony Site


With the Newlyweds


The Send Off

Redneck Riviera

When we were invited to go on vacation to the coast of Alabama we had our doubts. But the very fact that our good friends, the Berner's and the Van Bellen's--fine Swedish and Dutch folk--did the bidding we gauged it cosmopolitan enough to visit an area known for its Mullet Festival. Turns out, Gulf Shores as the region is known, is quite the hidden beauty nestled between New Orleans and Pensacola. And the mullet is a tasty fish not the hairstyle of an aging baseball pitcher. Dolphin, flounder, stingray, and crab kept us busy and far from hungry. Thanks again!


John and Ben catching crabs for dinner


The whole group on the deck of our beach house


Lots of kayaking!