Bentleyville Tour of Lights

Tonight we bundled up and ventured out to experience the "Bentleyville - Tour of Lights" that we've seen and heard so much about here in Duluth the past few weeks. Bentleyville is a non-profit corporation that organizes a free annual family holiday light show. The creater, Nathan Bentley, started the show over 3 acres near his home in Cloquet, MN in 2004 and has grown the displays (and electric bill) since that time. Some estimates on this year's electric bill say it would range from $5,000 go $6,000 - that tells you just how many lights are involved in the displays - millions! Bentley, who is known for his over-the-top displays, took a 1-year agreement with the city of Duluth and moved this year's display to Bayfront Festival Park near Canal Park/Harbor. Among the highlights are free hot beverages and cookies, free popcorn, free marshmallows and several fire roasting pits along the way along with Santa Claus & other Christmas Characters in costume - and that's all in addition to the grand light displays! Here are several shots from our evening out tonight, including a mini 360 video that Joel took showing several light displays. For those interested, you can learn more at http://www.bentleyvilleusa.org/yvilleusa.org/. The show runs nightly through Jan. 2nd from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. What a fun and pleasant way to spend a pre-Christmas evening. I can't resist saying it: Clark Griswold is no match for Nathan Bentley! :-)

Dashing Through the Snow...

This past weekend we met up with several members of our small group at church for a family sleigh ride. Fortunately we had the snow to make it work and some warmer weather (20's) compared to what we've experienced over the last couple of weeks. Brrr! So, we bundled up, headed North from Duluth about 1/2 hour and began our adventure. The sleigh was decked out with lights and, of course, jingle bells to make the experience complete. It wasn't long before we started singing "Jingle Bells" with all of the kids. After our sleigh ride, we enjoyed a big bonfire with roasted hot dogs, marshmallows and other goodies before heading home. We were slightly chilled, but I think we agreed that it was well worth it. As Joel (once again) reminded me, we're Duluthians now - so we should toughen up a bit and get used to it!

Thanksgiving Highlights

This Thanksgiving we traveled from Duluth to Spicer, MN to spend a few days with the Thompson family. Isaac did surprisingly well despite the long car ride and nights spent sleeping away from home. We enjoyed a big mid-day meal on Thursday and spent the rest of the day recovering from our overly-full tummies! Friday we enjoyed some Black Friday shopping and more down time at the house with the kids (Isaac and cousins Maddy, Livvy, and Aspen). Here are a few highlights of the weekend (family photo, picture of Isaac with his 3 cousins, and a picture of Great Grandma Rudy reading to Isaac with Great Grandma Betty listening on).