We're Busy Celebrating and Visiting

This year, our Christmas Holiday is expanded. Since we have more time in Minnesota, we have more time to spend with family and friends... and we are enjoying it!

This past Saturday, we spent the day with Bob and Corky. Since they were our summer landlords and we saw them everyday, we had missed each other and had lots to catch up on. This is what our summer campsite looks like in winter...It was easy to relax, drink Tom and Jerry's, and snack on good food (including homemade frosted Christmas cookies, the first we had this year). Hours passed quickly in the warmth of their home as we caught up with each other's activities and enjoyed some TV together.

On Sunday, we got up early to meet Bobbi and David for breakfast and a bit of talking smart (which is a challenge at 7:00 in the morning). I just know that next year, they will be joining us on the road. After breakfast, we went to church and then to see Ma in the nursing home. She wasn't doing as well as the last time we saw her, each day is different - it is hard to see her health failing.

When we got back to our Mankato home, Kaci and Amariah came over and opened some more presents. Of course, I had the camera focused at all times and took about 30 pictures - here are just a few.




This little lady has some very unique facial expressions.

This is my new all time favorite.

On Monday, Mike had an appt. at Mayo which took all of 20 minutes so were quickly back on our way. (It was a recheck from this summer; nothing to worry about.) On our way back to Mankato, we stopped at moms to see how she had recuperated from Christmas Day. Not only was she fully recuperated, but she was busy thinking about her upcoming birthday party. Mom will be 90 on January 2nd and family will gather on January 3rd at a Mass and reception in her honor. Although mom is a private person and not real happy about the celebration to begin with, she is now a little bit excited, I think.

Monday night we went to Lonny and LeAnn's for pizza, wine, conversation, and to throw a few dice. We spent an enjoyable evening catching up and yes, I lost both games of Greed! It was fun to spend time with these friends that we see all too seldom and ... Mike even got to take home a homemade apple pie.

Today, we went our separate ways - Mike to breakfast with a friend and I did some returning and shopping. Tonight, we are off to celebrate the 20th wedding anniverary of son Brian and Tammy and our 18th anniversary that was on Sunday.

Whew - see what I mean about busy!