Christmas 2008

Hard to believe, but Christmas has come and gone, and now we're staring 2009 square in the face.  Where did the time go?  Looking back on the year, it's amazing how many changes have come to our lives.

Christmas was really nice this year.  Darren and Megan spent the holiday with us.  Darren made a great meal, we opened gifts and went to church, then stayed up until 4 AM talking to my brother and his girlfriend.  Reminiscing, telling stories.  It was a nice first Christmas together.

Christmas Day we had lunch at my mom's and dinner with Darren's family while the boys went with their dad.  Darren's dad makes beautiful wooden pens and gave me a set of two - I was really touched by the gesture.

Of course on Christmas night we had to meet up with our friends at Loppnow's for a holiday drink and the funniest thing of the week walked in the door in the form of our friend Derek, who lost a bet and was forced to wear nothing but long johns and a pimp jacket to the bar.  You've gotta love THAT photo - hysterical!

After six days off for me and five for Darren, it's back to work as usual, though we are looking forward to spending New Year's Eve at the Jefferson for John Greiner's Big Band celebration.  2009, here we come.

Rowan Scores....

Rowan scored his first ever points tonight at his basketball game.  He's worked really hard to improve his game and I'm so proud of him for reaching beyond his comfort zone and going out for a sport.  When I look at these pictures of him I can hardly believe how grown up he's getting.

Choraliers Concert Photos

Holidays Are Coming....

It seems like just yesterday that we were lounging by the pool enjoying the heat. Now, the temperature is 4 below zero with a wind chill of 20 below. Crazy. Why do we live here? Someone remind me!
Here at the house we're getting ready for the holidays. I've decided to pare down my shopping considerably this year and I'm almost done. The last two Christmases have been difficult, to say the least, but I find myself looking forward to this one with unexpected optimism. We've had plenty of events to get us into the holiday mood. Nutcracker was last week, the boys were in their Choraliers Christmas concert last night, and tonight we'll head to the Grand to see Megan in the Wausau West choir concert.
The tree is up and decorated and I managed to throw some lights on the bushes outside, so the house looks ready. This weekend we plan to lay low and just bake some cookies, enjoy our families together. Though this year has brought so many changes - not all of them good ones - I do find myself happier and more content than I have been in a long time. I just wish my dad was here to share in it with all of us.