The Last Hour

It is the last hour of 2008. I just watched the New York count down. It is a quiet night here. Both kids are at friends houses this year. We are usually at my sister's house. I think this is the first New Years I have ever been by myself ever. Usually among the noise, games, food and fun I usually don't reflect too much on the year. The quiet makes it hard not to reflect. In many ways we have been very blessed. I have two great sons and we have great extended family, a place to live, food to eat and lets not forget Milo to love too. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. I do have some resolutions that have been rattling around in my brain. Since there is still about 50 minutes I think I will let them rattle a little more :) I know health is on the top of the list. I hope everyone has a happy and safe night! Now to the Chicago count down. See you all next year!!

Happy Spring?

Pardon me for my confusion! Yesterday younger son and I chopped ice for 2 solid hours to make a path from our front door to the mail boxes along with adjoining neighbors sidewalks in our little square. The ice was so thick we had to chop it with metal things (I don't know the name of them, but boy were they handy) and then shovel the large piece off the sidewalk. Today all snow and ice has disappeared and we have thunderstorms with 60 mile an hour winds and tornado warnings. Did I mention it is 61 degrees right now and we have flash flood warnings too? But don't worry tomorrow the high is back to 31 degrees and I am sure there will be much more ice to chip away at! Gotta love living in the Midwest!

We Hope Everyone Had a Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours!

Today Was Our Family Christmas Party

Today I had my family over to kick off the Christmas celebrations. Unfortunately my brother was snowed in in Michigan and didn't make it this year. We missed him, but still managed to have a lot of fun. My niece brought a new game that I can't remember the name of right now. I will have to ask her again what it is called. If was a lot of fun and we played in teams. Of course my team won :) Each team has 45 seconds to think of 10 answers. You have a word like apple and then each of the 10 answers have the word apple in the correct answer. After 45 seconds the other team gets to try any words you missed and then starts on a new word. One person on the team reads the clues and the others guess. We are always looking for new games. We did a bunch of Christmas trivia too. We had a lot of food. I tried a couple of new recipes along with some of the recipes that I put in the cookbook that my grandmother use to make. With the cookbooks this year, I also had John Braden's diary printed up for the family. John Braden was my great great grandfather and I printed each page of his diary on this blog as I went along interrupting it.

Hope everyone is enjoying the season! I have a little more shopping and wrapping to do, but mostly want to enjoy just being with my boys the next few days.

Younger Son is Almost 16

Each year at the family Christmas party we usually celebrate younger son's birthday too. He will be officially 16 a few days after Christmas.

A Little Women Christmas

Younger son had his Christmas play this afternoon. The group did three short plays. Younger son was in the first one, "A Little Women Christmas". He played Laurie, the girl's neighbor.

After tomorrow where both boys play at church for lessons and carols, we are done with activities until the first week of January! Makes younger son sad and me happy. I enjoy all their activities, but I am looking forward to baking and starting to plan for our "Not so Christmas Eve" family party next Sunday.

Younger son just got over the stomach flu, so we are hopeful none of us gets it! I need to start cleaning, but after cleaning the bathroom every hour for about 12 hours, I am dragging me feet. So next week will be all about cleaning, baking and cooking. I may even get some gifts wrapped!

Older son has been applying for a second job for a couple of months now and finally found one! He will be working full time during the day at Walmart and still part time at UPS. Friday was his first day. He can start applying at police stations by next April or May. It is getting closer!

Hope everyone is enjoying preparing for Christmas!!!

Younger Son's Piano & Vocal Recital

Sunday we had younger son's piano & voice recital. He started the recital off on piano playing, "Shadows on the Moon". In the middle of the recital he played, "Spinning Song". He ended the recital by singing, "Oh Holy Night". He has only been taking piano & voice for about 3 months so he was pretty nervous to be on his own. With his trumpet and drama he is usually with a group. He looked pretty pale singing, but made it through without passing out:) It was really nice listening to all the kids play and sing. I thought he did a great job. It was great that older son was off work and came with. It was nice to have someone else record the recital. He has never heard younger son sing. He missed his musical this summer. After we went out to eat. It was a nice day together.

Unfortunately younger son ended up with the stomach flu last night and has missed his dress rehearsal for his play on Saturday. He is finally feeling a little better, but has a fever. I am hoping he is back to himself by Saturday.

Since we were home today, I was able to make a list for the food I am serving on the 21st. I am having my annual "Not Christmas Eve Party" for my family. I always had it on Christmas Eve when the kids were young. Now that everyone is working and busy we started having it the weekend before Christmas. I have separate lists for cookie and candy making ingredients and for the party. Shopping will have to be on two different days too. I will come back and post a list. My computer in acting up again. My screen keeps clicking on and off!

Very Old Santa

This is one of my favorite ornaments. My grandparents had two of these Santas on their tree. I have only a couple of ornaments from my grandparents so I let each son have one of these from them. They both enjoy ornaments as much as I do.

Christmas Lights