MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!It's been a long time. I've enjoyed getting back to everyone's blogs and seeing all the new looks.
Highlights for posterity...
Christmas was wonderful. It was blessed. It was crazy and hectic. It was a full house. Everyone was back except Heidi (she spent Christmas with Zac's family) and Christa (had to work). Emily, Rob, Ian and Madeline flew in on Dec.20. They were a few hours late but considering they were coming from Denver it was a miracle they got here so soon. It did snow. It was sooo cold but Ian was out with coat and pajama bottoms the next morning!! A day or so later it warmed just enough to allow Ian to shovel up the mess. He was probably out for over an hour. I was amazed that he figured out how (remenber he's a Floridian with no memory of snow)to chop at the ice and make paths to clear the way. Madeline was a delight. She's got spirit. And she keeps so busy. As always she kept John busy reading her books. That's their thing. Or snugging up early in the morning.We gals all took off shopping before Christmas-Target, Kohl's. The entire clan attended St. Martin's in Douglas, NE for Christmas Vigil Mass. Father Chris was great and so patient. By candle light he had all the children join him on the floor by the Nativity scene and sing Silent Night. Then the caravan back here for Christmas Eve festivities. Dee, Wally and Terri joined us. Games, food and MUCH commotion, right Emily? Christmas day was quiet. Ian and Mads had their Santa gifts. Emily and Rob and John and I exchanged our gifts. Ate leftovers and relaxed. Rob and Emily went over to Rob's cousin Laurie's for dinner. The 26th was Emily's birthday so there was a crowd. Rob took Emily out to eat at The Oven that evening. J.R., Lexi, and Mason arrived around 8:30 that night(fri). So kids played, beds were set up. Lexi and Madeline shared a room, JR slept downstairs with Mason in 1 bed and Ian and Sam in another. Next day(Sat) was busy with play and art galore. I had colored pictures hung in a special gallery area. Now that would have been a great blog picture. Kari came but had to take off as Wyatt was under the weather. There was a very teary parting between Kari and Emily. Ask Kari. Audrey and Carley came. The little girls adore Carley, she is so kind and playful with them. Joe, Gina and girls came in the afternoon and hung out. Gina the new avid reader. Ask her. Twilight? She couldn't put it down. Molly,Steve and kids came over late in the evening after Christmas celebration at Steve's folks and hung for awhile. After everyone had taken off we watched a movie, kinda weird but good for unwinding. The new games were: The Game of Chips (Molly started out losing too often and it made her a tad upset but Zach was the overall winner,I think)and Freeze Up, battery operated and sort of like Scattergories. Even had Terri staying late on Christmas Eve. Sunday morning was Good-Bye Day. John and the Broyles left for the Omaha airport @ 9:30a.m. Sniffle. J.R. and kids took off for K.C. @ 10:30 a.m. Sniffle. Everyone arrived home safely. Thank you Lord. Know I love each of you . You are each the best and craziest ever.
My new laptop is GREAT and so is the old desktop. MANY, MANY THANKS to Rob. He discovered my modem had gone bad (after a lengthy talk with Time Warner).John exchanged and brought home the new improved model while Rob picked up needed hardware at Radio Shack. He was then able to get the old computer up and running, set up the new wireless connections, redo the printer to take on both computers, download all programs, drivers, and what-nots onto my laptop. It work beautifully. Whew. Thank you John for both the laptop and for enlisting Rob's promise to get it going.
I'm worn out now. Later
