thank you 2018

So many blessings in 2018. Tonight we are gathering at Brent and Molly's cabin to ring in the new year. I will try to get some photos to add to this post, but if I don't, the world will be just fine.

We had a great time playing games, eating food and staying up until midnight. Osten was so impressed that we stayed up all night.

Here are some snapshots from the evening:

 
 

15,000 steps

Today I decided to take a walk around the perimeter of Big Wood Lake. It took just over 2 hours and I logged 15,000 steps. It was an incredible walk and I just wish I would have brought my phone with me to capture some photos.

But after that, the I took Isaiah, Ivan and Osten into town to do some sledding at Grantsburg Elementary with the Quintana kids.

the wisdom teeth extraction

Anders had his wisdom teeth extracted yesterday afternoon. Emma and I accompanied him as he had to forego general anesthesia because he had eaten some cheese balls in the morning so he did have laughing gas in place of g.a.

We sat in the waiting room for about 25 minutes and came to see a jubilant boy saying it wasn't too bad and was being very loquacious on the ride home. He wasn't able to swallow water so nurse Emma attended to him throughout the evening.

The pain is getting worse and he is just hanging out in his room this morning. Evidently the pain will increase tomorrow so hopefully he will be feeling better after that and will feel up to eating and drinking. He just came upstairs and is making hand motions instead of speaking...I'm looking forward to hearing his voice again ;).

breakfast with Julie

Yesterday, my friend Julie and I met for breakfast at Key's Cafe in Hudson. I had a delicious sandwich called the Eggswich with two eggs, a bun, turkey and an avocado. YUM!

Then we went to Target to check out their clearance items after Christmas. I hope we can continue breakfast dates throughout 2019.

lake time

Today we spent time walking on the frozen Wood Lake. It was absolutely beautiful on the water and exploring the two islands. After dinner, we will head home to River Falls to prepare for Anders' surgery tomorrow afternoon--getting his wisdom teeth removed.

        

merry little Christmas

We have had a very merry little Christmas. Anders joined us early this morning, we took a walk on the lake, went to the new movie Mary Poppins and just hung out much of the day. Katie is currently at Siri's cabin, the boys are downstairs watching a movie and we're upstairs visiting.

the night of the 24th

Setting: Faith Lutheran church
Characters: Brad, Karen, Katie, Osten, Grandma Betty, Bruce, Julie, Isaiah, Ibby, Joe, Dehlia, Joe, Henry, Brent, Molly, Siri, Ivan and Ike and a lovely congregation.

Next setting: shores of Wood Lake

Characters: all the above (less the congregation) plus Grandpa Bud and Mike

We ate some amazing soups--chicken wild rice, chicken noodle, sausage/potato/kale and ate lots and lots of lefse. Then we opened gifts where Brad got our adult exchange gift of a nice batter bowl and recipe books, I got a sampler of Virginia peanuts and jams and Colorado spices, Katie got some film for a camera, slime making supplies and a pretty sweatshirt and Osten got a game. Anders spent time with his girlfriend, Emma and will be joining the family later today.

eve of the birth of Jesus

Today I'm spending some time at home while Brad, Katie and Osten are up north and Anders is spending time with Emma and her family for Christmas. I rearranged Katie's bedroom, am doing some laundry and will spend a little time preparing the house for Santa's visit tonight.

I don't want to lose sight of the reason we are celebrating. Jesus was born many years ago in a little town in the middle East called Bethlehem. I am thankful to God for sending us his only son and I rejoice in his birth, death and resurrection. Thank you for all you have given us.

the gathering Blomgren style

On Saturday, the Blomgren family gathered at the farm where Clarence and Vivian raised their family for just over 20 years. The people attending:
Vivian (Mom), Kent, Anna and Abby, Kurt, Jenna, Cody, Stella, Vance, Kaitie, Stuart, Kyeanna and Kesleigh, Kyle, Kim, Kyle Jr., Adam, Erica, Liana and Ryan, Cory, Joan, Thomas, Evan and Trenton, Karen, Brad, Anders, Katie and Osten.

We ate yummy oyster stew and spent time visiting and eating lots and lots of baked goods. The mask wasn't opened, so we picked at number from a deck of cards and chose the 5 of hearts as the one who needed to take the mask. That person was Thomas.

Karen, Cory, Kurt, Kent, Kyle and Mom

good buddies Stella and Osten

the kids went to play outside around sunset

Katie swinging

Kesleigh=star of show

lots of attention from her stateside cousins

leading the SKOL cheer with his new hat

grandma's sweethearts

grandma sharing Night before Chrismas

Grandma and her grandkids

happy birthday dearest Bradley

Yesterday, my handsome and amazing husband Bradley Cole turned 46 years old. Wishing him a healthy, happy and prosperous year. I love you.

family Christmas

On Solstice, our family went to dinner with Bruce, Julie and Isaiah at Mariachi Loco. We then went home and had our family gift exchange. There were some very happy gift receivers and a nice relaxing evening at home.

Favorite gifts...
Brad's : Tattler's
Karen's: shoeboots
Anders: shaving kit
Katie: record player
Osten: Vikings sweatshirt