Missy and I drove to South Dakota/Minnesota this Christmas to see family and friends. . .2000 miles total! Yowsers.

In Sioux Falls, SD. . . .enjoying some Chirstmas Cheer at the local Coldstone Creamery. Hey, CHRISTMAS CHEER! That's a great name for a new flavor. . .I'll have to write them

That's Maren, her fiancee Robb (CONGRATS you two!) my sister Missy and myself. ..Ice skating in Sioux Falls. YES, I'm the only one wearing FIGURE SKATES

An EXCELLENT ice skater, Robb shows us his flexiblity

On our way to Mom's house. . .

my mom's driveway. . . 

A shot of my mom's place. . ."Cottonwood Grove" as they call it. No snow, but the frost sure is purty! 

As you can tell by their enthusiasm, the dogs were very excited to see us. That's Chloe on the left and Lacey on the right. . .i miss my woozies! (As Greg calls them. . .Zoey and Lazy)

My good friend Greg showing his enthusiasm during a game of Balderdash. Are you using new PRODUCT Greg? 

Family pictures. . .good times! 

Mom's learning to play the piano. . .we're very supportive :-) 

my excellent hand during a game of Pinochle. . .OK, so I don't really know how to play but check out all of those ACES! Yes, that's my sister in the background. . .you see why we can't take her out in public. ..  

Christmas Eve at Mom & Rich's. . .December 27, 2002. Mom opens the shirt that Missy's boyfriend Brant made her. .it says I LOVE YOUR BOYFRIEND. When Missy and Brant came home for Thanksgiving, Brant walked in wearing a shirt that said I LOVE YOUR MOM.

Missy with a selection of gifts :-) 

Me displaying some of my spoils. 

My step-dad Rich shows off his Packers memorabilia. A hard-core Vikings fan, Lacey looks on in disgust.

Missy talking to her BF up at dad's new vacation home in Battle Lake. It's more of a doll house than a house, built in 1892 in the town of Battle Lake Minnesota - it has been completely remodeled - dad did most of the finishing work himself! Like father like son they say. . .

Missy and I all bundled up for ice fishing! Aint we sexy!? 

Dad and Missy outside his fish house on Battle lake.  

Just fishing. . .stay tuned for a picture of all of the fish we caught! 

Missy. . . .um, fishing!? Dad's ice house is more of a small vacation home, complete with 2 beds, television, heater, camp stove, etc! 

yeah, that's it. . .ONE 13" walleye

In Sioux Falls for the Boik family Christmas . . .Me and my favorite aunt Kay.

My sis and Aunt Kay. . .taking a break from Canasta. 

The shirt that you saw mom opening earlier! 

Attack of a tumbleweed! The weather was great on our trip back to CO except for the high winds and out-of-control tumbleweeds! 

Check out these clouds! Saturday evening, December 11, 2004. Gotta love mother nature. . .