Brandenburg's 'Best Of' List 2012

We are teaming up again this year to give you the "Best of' List for 2012. You can find past years here...2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.

Book:
B-Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith by Andrew Preston
T-Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 

Kept us Busy:
B-Dissertation Writing
T-Blogging Misc Magenta 

Film:
B-The Master
T-Pitch Perfect

Restaurant:
B-Fette Sau 
T-The Bachelor Farmer

Television Drama:
B-Breaking Bad
T-Breaking Bad

Album:
B-Grizzly Bear
T-The Lumineers

App:
B-Strava
T-Instagram

Brand Name:
B-Redwing Boots
T-A Pea in the Pod

Documentary:
B-41
T-The Queen of Versailles

Best of the Best:
B-Redwing Boots
T-The Bachelor Farmer

Minnesota Baby Shower

While Ben and I were home for Christmas my dear friend Kim threw me a baby shower. She is so creative...all the details were beautiful. She had planned fun games, made delicious food and had a hot chocolate bar! It was a perfect afternoon with some of my favorite ladies. Thank Kim!

Mom and I heading to the shower.

Kim (the hostess) and I...so much beautiful decor!

A bunch of us.

A hot chocolate bar...so delicious and creative!

High school girlfriends.

Fun games!

Opening gifts...beautiful Minneapolis/St. Paul art!

Christmas with McLarens

At the Como Zoo conservatory.

Annual Christmas with the Pearsons.

Mom preparing a steak dinner and Berlin watching patiently:)

Christmas Eve.

Grandma and her BFF Macy.

Siblings on Christmas Eve.

8 Years!

This December Ben and I celebrated 8 years of marriage. It was a fun day catching up with friends in Minnesota and then heading out that night to the Bachelor Farmer restaurant in Minneapolis...where we have been wanting to go to since it opened.

Anniversary breakfast, flowers and a card from Bruce and Marnee. 

Heading out to dinner.

Delicious dinner!

Christmas with the Brandenburgs

Macy's 8th floor with the family...Ben photo bombing the kids shot.

Headed to lunch at the Swedish Institute...I had to!

Mom and Judson met up with us for lunch.

The guys.

Family Christmas photo:)

The Brandenburgs.

After a morning of seeing the Terracotta Warriors exhibit we headed to Punch Pizza and then Caribou coffee to celebrate Jodi's birthday with a delicious princess cake.

A Philly Christmas

The week before Christmas we headed out with our friends Sheryl and Dave for a day of experiencing Philadelphia's Christmas activities. Here are a few photos from the day.

Pregnant friends at the train stop.

First stop...Macy's Christmas show.

Then to the Christmas Village in LOVE park.

Ben shopping the village.

LOVE park Christmas Village.

Paul, Jodi and Gavin Visit

Ben and I were excited to have Ben's brother Paul in town for work these last 2 weeks. This meant Jodi and our newest nephew Gavin came for a bit too. It was fun to have them around for an extended period of time rather then the quick visits we usually have.

Gavin was fascinated by Berlin.

They brought some delicious German Gluhwein to share.

I took Jodi and Gavin to my favorite lunch spot in Philly...the URBN headquarters.

All of us:)