Turkey Day, Part II

What a wondrous day today is! Why? Today is our first SNOW DAY!! This is very lucky for me, as I intend to finish my weekend cleaning, complete the Christmas cards, and wrap the gifts for a few little southern dolls who will be visiting us on December 20! Since there is no school today, that also means that there are only 8 school days left until WINTER BREAK! Now, I definitely remember looking forward to vacations and snow days (though we never seemed to have any of these in Rhinelander) when I was growing up, but my goodness, I'm not sure if that feeling was quite as intense as it is now as an adult working in the schools!

Jonathan and me
Playful Romeo

Anyway...I thought I would also seize this opportunity to finish with the Thanksgiving pictures. I believe I left off with the Thanksgiving game night...

Jonathan and the Hurlburt clan left Friday after a great leftover lunch. Although Mark and Jon didn't even see any deer during the 2 days out, I think that they were still quite happy just going out and "trying". They both love being outside and hunting provides relaxation for these two hardworkers.

John and Adam on Davenport Street

Bill, Bob, John, Mark and I were sticking around Rhinelander until Saturday morning, so we decided to go downtown to the sportsbar Bugsy's, except for Bob, who was being plagued with a horrible toothache that day. John and Jim and Mark and I had done this 2 years ago when we were in Rhinelander for Thanksgiving, and really had a good time playing pool and watching a very small holiday parade down Brown Street. This year, John's good friend, Adam, met us out and instead of playing pool we ended up playing shuffleboard.

That's my teammate, Bill!

Mark dominated this game

Mark explained the rules of the game to us and "sat out" (note the game Mark was glued to)while Adam and John teamed up against Bill and I. I don't think our game would have been considered very thrilling by shuffleboard veterans, but we all had a good time laughing at each other's novice techniques. The victors? The formidable team of BILL AND LAURIE!! Rarrr!

Shuffleboard champs!

Holiday parade, Brown Street



We did watch the 2008 holiday parade, which was adorable (think a few horses, the high school band, antique car, and kids throwing candy), and then we headed to the new little "park" located where the old McDonald's used to be. I have to say, we were all quite surprised at the large crowd that was gathered. I think we were also a little confused and taken aback by the lone red pepper pinata hanging from Davenport Street?!!?

Hmm.

Safety first!

The crowd had gathered there because this was the spot Santa was arriving and because Santa's real, live reindeer were already there! I have to admit, I was feeling a little bit of the "holiday spirit" and was really excited to see the cute little reindeer that you were allowed to go right up to and pet (the baby, that is, and it was soooo cute!). I did not, however, push aside any young children (that is the rumor that is being spread) in my exuberance. I may have gotten in the way of a grandmother's photograph of her granddaughter, but I apologized....

I'm pretty sure this is Blitzen I'm petting

John and Bill make some new friends

Following the downtown festivities, John, Mark and I treated ourselves to a fantastic fish fry dinner at The Fireside Supper Club on Hwy. K. Bill and Adam decided not to join us, but they should have, just to eat some of the tasty french onion soup. Outstanding! Thanks for the recommendation, Adam! We had a great time hanging out with everybody and enjoying the northern Wisconsin night life.

Big Foot?!

Before we left Saturday morning, Dad joined us on a walk out to the pines where Mark and Jon had set-up the new tree stand. Dad proceeded to give John and Mark a tour of the property line and Bill and I took the crazy dogs for a walk and back home--though Mingo was pretty concerned where Master Mark was....
Bill in the pines

Our dear dogs were quite delighted with the exciting weekend they had and after driving several miles outside of Rhinelander, decided that they were ready to settle down and nestle in the back of the big black truck for a much needed siesta. Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for hosting the big event and for our Christmas present!!

Lily and Mingo make sure we're not off to another exciting place

Lily

Sound asleep