Well folks this is it 'till next week.

Sorry about the rambling method of posting (i.e. over a couple days).

Time was tight.

Love in Christ,
Michael

A tribute to our troops (Note: Melissa took this shot and I can't take the credit for such a superb photo)

Why is mom standing on a cooler with that ridiculous pink head band poofing her hair up ... good question. Because she is practicing for our upcoming snowboarding trip. Unfortunately, standing on the cooler didn't save her (or any of ours) bottom from repeated pounding in the hard pack snow. Oh well

Trying to obtain copyright for some movie clips for our school project.

Next morning, at 4 am, we were ready to roll ... at least some of us were

Things we see along our trip: Brothers accomplishing feats of amazing dimensions (taking off a sweater without taking off the coat :-0

Fireman rescuing people from crushed up cars

and narrow bridges

Finally we arrived at the Maira household!

Why can't WE visit?

First thing we did was to tour the barracks where General Washington overcame the Hessians (german mercenaries in our first War for Independance). Through God's amazing providenece, EVERYTHING went according to plan. Mr. Murphy didn't show up ONCE!!!

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Tourists are oft' an happy lot!

Art ~ If trees could speak

This was neat, both of us shot at the EXACT same time!!!

A reconstruction of an early Masonic Meeting room (I tell ya, after watchin National Treasure ... This place was creepy)

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Pa examines the first Battle of Trenton battle plans.

2nd Hand Bookstore = 1/2 hour sidetrack ;-)

A really neat sculpture/memorial to our construction workers

Trenton Art

All of a sudden, as we are walking, Ma & Melanie start shouting, "Michael! There's your college!" It was so exciting. I hadn't even thought we were coming this close.

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Art (A memorial which commemorates God's providential hand in providing a victorious engagement to the colonists)

Art (Trenton War Memorial)

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Anybody home?

Looking at replicas of the boats that carried General Washington and his troops across in his suprise attack on Trenton. We were amazed at how bit these things were (scale, if Melanie were to stand next to them, it would come up to her neck)

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Pa peers through to history of old

Melissa and Tayla busy as bees prepare lunch, dinner, next day's lunch and, yes, next day's dinnger. Why? Weeeeell ...

Next morning everyone was up bright and early for a great day on the slopes ...

... though apparently to early for some.

Melanie takes a "glamor"

Wow!!! Matthew examines the terrain

My heart beats deeply as I look towards the summit ... courage struggles with fear. Ba boom (heart beating ;-) ... ba boom, ba boom

Lift tickets are passed out ...

And we're ready

Everyone get's their feet sized and shod

Up on the lift

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There I was minding my own business TYRING to snowboard ... and BAAAANG!!!! The ground jumps up and somehow GRABS ME (don't ask me how!)

Lunch break ... Micaiah reveals his HAT HAIR

For half the morning my dad tried the snowboard. After lunch he traded it in for skis. Understand he hasn't skied in over 20 years. After a few minutes he was gracefully goin' around like he'd never put the hobby down!

Mountain Rangers!!!

Would you believe, about 2:00PM a most devasting thing happened. I took a bad fall on a bit of ice ... banged my hip ... and ... sob!!! ... had to sit out the rest of the day!!! :-( Waaa (The Lord gives the Lord takes away ... blessed be the name of the Lord!)

Sympathy (I hope ;-)

How the rest of the day was spent from my perspective.

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