on the fifth day of Christmas

Time to care for Reese Johnson, a stately teenaged German shorthair. Her family is in Tampa to watch the Hawkeyes play in the Reliaquest Bowl. 

Osten had basketball practice at my school so I spent time rearranging book shelves, putting paper supplies in friendly spots for kids to use and sharpening colored pencils. 

I finished up my 84th workout at the Falcon Center & we’re watching the Rams and Falcons and just saw the Timberwolves beat the Bulls. The fire is cozy and it’s about time to wind down for bed. 

We’re really enjoying Osten’s new Minnesota tapestry. It’s perfect on his wall! Thanks Liana. 

on the 4th day of Christmas

It snowed and snowed and snowed some more. Brad had h the right idea last night. I’m so thankful he drove home and we could spend the day…all day in our home. The forecast is that we will end up with 6-10 inches of snow when it stops snowing tomorrow morning. 

I slept in & then started organizing our storage room downstairs. It took several hours, but I think I did some good work. A friend of mine asked for a free sewing machine. I happen to have one I don’t use and was looking to donate it, but couldn’t find the power cord. I decided to look for the cord in the mess of our storage room. I wasn’t able to find the cord, but I researched and found a replacement online. I let Molly know the cord is on its way and that I have a machine for her use once the cord arrives. I’m so happy it will all work out. I’ll also have a more organized storage room! 

I did discover a beautiful painting made by Brad’s grandma Lori. The painting has a lot of mold on the back side, so we will be throwing it in the garbage. I took a photo so we can enjoy for a longer time. 

on the third day of Christmas

It was time to do some yoga burn, take Katie back to Mankato and drive to Vance & Kaitie’s house for Blomgren Christmas. I played a slide show of the slides from Mom & Dad’s honeymoon until I was a young girl—so fun to see my parents, brothers and myself as young people! Also got to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. Wonderful memories to replay. 

We played ping pong, visited and watched the little running around. 25 people played the gift exchange. I got a beautiful hand painted sign by Summer, Brad got a wine opener, Osten got a cool towel, book about Minnesota and map of Minnesota, Katie got a black Stanley, Ally got a coffee maker & Anders got a Timberwolves sweatshirt. 

New memories were made and I had the chance to spend time with my incredible mother. She kept repeating herself  asking who people were, she never forgot Zach, Liana’s boyfriend 😍 

Thanks Vance and Katie for hosting over 30 people at your place! 

We ended up driving home as there is a blizzard predicted to start tomorrow at 9am. Glad to have the drive behind us! 

on the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me

We spent the day celebrating with Aunt MaryAnn and coming home. Katie is home with us for the night and will be leaving tomorrow for work and life. Also finished a decent book today! Now it’s time for my December read. 

so this is Christmas

Stranger Things released three new episodes today and it was so fun to watch with Bud, Betty, Katie, Isaiah, Joe, Siri, Henry, Dehlia & Osten. The series finale comes out on New Years Eve! 

Went on a great walk across the ice this morning and explored Luther Point. I walked 3.35 miles in an hour and a half. I heard some creepy popping sounds but I made it back safely. 

Katie got here at 1–so wonderful to see her! We ate lunch, opened gifts and then just hung out. We ate leftovers for dinner and were glued to the tv to watch the Vikings beat the Lions and for stranger things. I drove Katie and Siri to Siris cabin for a sleepover. It was raining ice so I’m glad we didn’t have far to go. 

Our gifts: 

Katie Tupperware and a cookbook, Anders bath & body stuff, Ally a picnic backpack and bottle of wine, Brad dish towels, coffee, a coffee pot and a frother and I got dish towels, a sugar holder, mushroom coffee, and a frother.