on the prairie

The Blomgren’s gathered 25 strong on Saturday, December 30 on the home farm. Kurt’s place is the perfect place to visit, watch games and cheer one another on in an exciting gift exchange. 

Present:

Mom, Kent, Eden, Kurt, Kyle, Kim, Cory, Joan, Karen, Brad, Vance, Adam, Erica, Kyle, Paige, Liana, Ryan, Summer, Thomas, Evan, Trenton, Anders, Ally, Katie, Osten and Luella. 

We played dominos, Scattergories and penny drop. We recited ‘Twas the Night before Christmas led by Mom and also ate oyster stew and cheesy chicken sandwiches along with salads and sweets. 

We gifted god children with a universal electrical cord. In the exchange, I got Pyrex with snap lids, Brad got snacks, Anders got leather mittens, Ally got a Stanley, Katie got a JBL speaker and Osten got a Vikings blanket. The mask was the very last gift to be chosen so #1 got to take it home to Iowa (Kent). 

After the gifts we watched the Timberwolves beat the Lakers on LeBrons birthday😎

There was an ice storm as we were gathering, Vance and Luella encountered some slippery roads, but the rest of us had a prettty uneventful drive. I got mom back to Brandt Ridge and then our family stayed at the St. James Super 8. 

I had a blast and am so happy Mom was able to celebrate with us! 

happy waltz day

 

refresh

day 4 of vacation and day 4 of Christmas

Today I got to sleep in again and also got to spend the day with my wonderful daughter! We drove to St. Paul and went to Cafe Astoria for coffee and then to the science museum to see the displays and a movie about asteroids. 

Cossettas for dinner and then to the mall of America to make a return and pick up a few nice deals. Now we’re home and I’m going to watch the great British baking show! 

Exciting news, a new Blomgren is born! It’s not social media official, but there is a sweet baby Blomgren boy born today! 

gift of time/ 3rd day of Christmas

How wonderful having a 6 school day vacation! On day 3 of my vacation, I got to sleep in and then drive down to see the best Mom in America, my Momma. I also got an opportunity to spend time with my delightful brother Kurt. We had coffee with Mom and then went to dinner together. 

Boxing Day/ 2nd day of Christmas

The day for leftovers! I had a delicious part two of Christmas dinner. Ingredients are: mashed potatoes, Swedish meatballs, Katie’s corn bake, Brussels sprouts, squash bake, gravy and then a dollop of cranberries! Yum! 

so this is Christmas

Ibby and Mike brought their great karaoke machine to Bud and Bettys for the day and it was so fun! We’ve been spending time with Bruce, Julie and MaryAnn. Bruce and MaryAnn are Betty’s siblings. Maryann recently moved to Wyoming, Minnesota from Florida so is getting to know all Betty’s kids and grandkids. 

We ate lots of good food including lutefisk that was prepared by Brad. Both Molly and I had seconds. It tasted kind of like fish jelly. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, cranberries, corn bake, Brussels sprouts and lefse were the stars of the show. We played a fun game with Saran Wrap and dice where people won things like puzzles, gift cards, money and a nose flute. 

Stockings were opened after dinner and then we sat around and visited. It’s hard to believe how grown up all the kids are now. It’s no longer loud and rambunctious. Just a different phase of their friendships. 

I took a nice walk around the lake after sleeping in with Brad until 9:30am! It was like we were in heaven! 

the eve of Christmas

A memorable Christmas Eve is when we can go to Faith Lutheran in Grantsburg and hear Erin Spaun sing. 

It was a super warm Christmas Eve…it even rained! Katie had to work until 6pm so she drove up to join us for dinner. We had a variety of soups, cookies and egg nog. We did the adult exchange and I got a great rocking lawn chair and some Norwegian history and recipe book. Brad got two Bloody Mary mixes and bottle of vodka. 

Anders and Ally joined us for the day, also got gifts and then headed to Minnetonka to spend Christmas with Ally’s family. Osten got a Justin Jefferson jersey. Katie got a silk pillow case and an Alta gift card. She also got a cute outfit from her godparents Brent and Molly. 

family Christmas 2023

Our family had our Christmas today. Brad got a couple

books from his favorite author Sigurd Olson, a new flannel and his Grandma Grace’s quilt redone by my friend Sheila. 

I got a new paddling life jacket, some new clothes and some skin care stuff. 

Anders got AirPods, AirTag, money for a gym membership and half cost of suit, skin and hair care stuff and new socks. 

Katie got new clothes and skin care stuff. 

Osten got and Xbox, Xbox gold, a Justin Jefferson jersey and an Anthony Edwards jersey. 

So nice to be all together and sharing the love.