happy 52nd birthday dearest Brad

We are celebrating Brads 52nd birthday with our family Christmas, delicious Old southern BBQ and my first pumpkin pie and watching the Vikings play the Seahawks. 

Being with family is the absolute BEST. 

winter solstice

The sun rose at 7:46am today and will set at 4:33pm. 

I’m planning a day of baking, hiking & grocery shopping. My beautiful 51 year old husband is feeling icky today so I want to take care of him and our Osten and Katie. 

Here’s a picture from 9:20am

Another from 4:07 before sunset 

And lastly 7:30pm when we’re snuggling in to enjoy a movie 

winter break has arrived

Winter break is here! We had pj day day and one student was a football to my Viking!

gift of a snow day

I’ve been battling a nasty cold and had an opportunity to sleep in the morning with our first snow day of the year! Laundry, Target run, making dinner and then work out at the Falcon Center! 

Photo from my friend Marci and her lovely Christmas wreaths. 

night out in St Paul

Bruce and Julie invited Katie, Isaiah, Joe and myself to a presentation at the Prenumbra Theater called the Black Nativity. Beautiful instrumental and vocal music along with lovely dancing to retell the story of Jesus birth. 

After the show, we went downtown to the Pillbox Tavern and dined on burgers, pasta, a wrap and a delicious heirloom tomato salad. Now it’s way past my bedtime, but I’m enjoying listening to the kids hanging out together downstairs. 

the mitten prep

 

Our class has been preparing for the winter solstice with writing and artwork. This is what our display looks like for our school walk through on Friday. 

fresh flowers good for the soul

 

snoozing through Christmas crap movie

Osten and I started a tradition a few years ago watching cheesy Christmas movies and laughing. We started the newest Netflix Lindsey Lohan movie Our Little Secret. It was so cheesy, but my movie watching partner fell asleep pretty early in the show! We’ll try another tomorrow 💩

busy days with friends

Last night I went to dinner with friends Teri, Michelle, Katrina and Julie

at Lily Thai and then went to the high school production of Sponge Bob. 

This morning it was heading to friend Maggie’s to go shopping with Maggie, Theresa and Stephanie to an upcycled clothing shop in Minneapolis. We had lunch at the American Swedish institute. 

Home for a quick check in with Osten (Katie was at the gym) & off to meet Julie for the European Christmas Market at Union depot in St. Paul. 

10 years

It’s been 10 years since our special Godson, Ross Isaac was killed in a car accident. Thinking of all the people who love him and mourn his death. 

I’m reposting my brother Kurt’s inspiring words:

As we know, there is much darkness at this time of the year.  On 12/13/14, my families darkest hour happened, exactly ten years ago.   A few weeks prior, Ross and I were asked at church to write a short daily devotional to be included with 27 others for the Advent season on the topic of when light banishes darkness.  We did it together and submitted it.  By randomness or divine intervention, it was published the day of his funeral.  His room remains the same as it was, ten years ago….  Life moves on, my family of 5 has now become 14 and with countless other blessings.  God’s light does banish darkness, and much more so to me now, than it did ten years ago.  Let us all recognize and celebrate the true meaning this Christmas season, that our Savior is born and His light does banish darkness.

yet another win for RF 8B

Katie came home to watch the last few minutes of Osten’s final 8th grade basketball game. They won 26-6

And I received a whole lot of finger knitted jewelry today when it was too cold outside for our class to play. Win win win! Katie home, Osten’s team won and I’m glamorous!

 

yikes it’s cold!

 It steadily dripping. My walk to school was much warmer than my walk home

yet another win for 8 B

Osten had 6 points in their victory this evening over St. Croix central! Way to go Osten John. 

RF 8 blue with another win

Brad and I missed the game because it started early, but Osten’s basketball team came home with another win! Well done son! 

And now he’s gaming to celebrate. 

Watergate salad, orange buttermilk molded salad, cheesy chicken sandwiches and Bunco!

 

We had a great time at Bunco and the Vikings won another game! We are 11-2 for the season. Sweet and exciting. 

celebrating my birthday and restarting bathroom remodel

Today Brad took out the shower surround, started dismantling the walls in the shower and I relocated our shower stuff to the basement bathroom. Upstairs bathroom Reno has been reactivated! 

Worked on Christmas card writing, lesson planning, Bunco party prep and going to Juniors for my 53rd birthday dinner with Brad and Osten. 

I stayed way past my bedtime and

will be heading to bed at 1!