All is well

This time of the year is just nuts busy. We made it through Christmas and it was wonderful. We missed Dale and Crystal but we enjoyed having Ang, Mike, the kiddo's, and Mike's family here to celebrate with us.

We did an "ugly sweater" theme this year - that was fun. We had too much food (as per usual) and ate leftovers for the week. 

Milo was setup with his own sparring gear. He humored me with a pose - I can still get away with that :)

New Years was spent quietly. We all decided that between Thanksgiving and Christmas we were all ready to just stay home and relax. Hubby and I had dinner and a movie - The Dark Tower, it was an interesting movie and we liked it fine.

Mostly we have tried to stay WARM! Good grief, it has been over 20 degrees below the donut most nights since Christmas. We've discovered some air leaks downstairs so our desk area is cold. We will tackle getting some insulating done this weekend. For the time being I covered some stuff that was leaking cold air with whatever I could find. 

Cooper is having knee troubles still, I purchased a knee brace for him but it's like trying to put a bra on a pig. After an hour or so that was ENOUGH of that. We will try another day. I give him larger doses of joint supplements. He would probably not have this issue if he didn't think he was part kangaroo.

P.S. They have won the last couple weeks - boo hiss

Christmastime on the brain

It's hard for me to think about much else this time of year. Christmas is my favorite holiday - bar none! I love all of it, Christmas Carols, Christmas programs, Choirs, Giving, sharing, family. Especially family. We have a Christmas Eve party with friends and family and that way the little ones can be home Christmas morning for their own family time.

I'm an online shopper, have been for many years. Shopping is done and all that's left is the wrapping. I'll admit, the wrapping isn't in my top 10 list but, hey, it has to be done.

This past weekend was the little boys Christmas program at church. It was preceded by a concert of the bell choir. That was a treat. The boys did a good job. Rowan had a hard time but he's only 4. He actually hung in there pretty good for a little guy. Milo is becoming a ham :)

It was a fun outing.

Even managed to get the tree decorated. I couldn't find the tree skirt I had planned on but with all the sorting I've misplaced a few things. This one is one I made for Mom several years ago and it works out fine.

P.S. They won

Christmas Nice

I got home today and in the mail was a package (ok, several), it was from a fellow blogger that was doing a Holiday Giveaway. I was so touched by the gesture I had to share. This, to me, is the absolute essence of Christmas giving. What a wonderful idea!

I can't wait to try them all!

 A couple days ago I received a gift to me in the mail. Our daughter, Crystal, had one while she was here for Thanksgiving and I decided I could use some motivation so I jumped on the bandwagon. I'm actually pretty enamored with it.

Also from a couple of days ago, I was lucky enough to get a shot of the moon coming out. The picture definitely doesn't do it justice - it was gorgeous.

Spent the weekend doing some rearranging for tree space. I thought I'd get the tree up and decorated too but that was wishful thinking. I had better get on the stick though, Christmas is just around the corner!

P.S. We won 

Merry Christmas!

I know, technically Christmas is past but since I haven't gone to sleep yet it's still Christmas Day. We did our celebrating Christmas Eve and we all had a blast! We had Mike, Angie, and ALL the Grandkids plus Mike's Dad, brother, and cousin and his 2 kiddo's. Kids bring so much life to a house but by the time they had gone home we were beat - even Coop. The only ones missing were Crystal and Dale (they were here in spirit).

Abbie, Rowan, Milo, and Frank - Grace was missing from the picture

We did a White Elephant exchange this year (A first for me). We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs and plan to do it again next year with a higher price limit. We did $5 this year, tough to find good stuff for that price point.

Tomorrow I think the tree will be coming down, we will be doing an overnighter with Mike, Angie, and the Grandkids on New Years Eve and the space is needed for sleeping bags. Crystal and Dale may be able to come for that as well (weather permitting).

The wind is still howling out and I'm not sure how slippery it is, freezing rain this afternoon with snow following. Luckily the temps are reasonable.

Ice build up on the East windows just before dark

I guess we'll see how things look tomorrow...