Happy New Year

Happy Holidays! I have two weeks "off" from school but Kellen has been in preschool yesterday and today so that I could get caught up at work and so that he doesn't get too much out of his routine. I didn't really get that much done. But I was able to put some things away and clean up my room a little, which is important to me. I still have about 4 hours of grading left and I have no idea what I'm teaching when I get back, but I will make it work-I always do!

My sister Shelly and her family from Oregon visited us before Christmas. It was really good to see them. Kellen had a ton of fun playing "hallway hockey" with Nathan and Sean. They stayed with us for a couple of days and then went down to La Crosse. Every time they visit in the winter it seems like it is 40 degrees below zero! At least we didn't leave the garage door open this time.

We also spent a few days in La Crosse-from Christmas eve until Sunday the 28th. Christmas eve was at my Dad's house. Everyone was there-all 7 kids and spouses and 13 grandkids! Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance and then we opened gifts. Judy, my Dad's wife, made a CD with pictures of my Dad's life-his parents and grandparents all the way down to his grandchildren. They also gave us a family tree that goes pretty far back. It was really neat.

Of course Santa brought Kellen a ton of presents that we have no room for (you'd think I'd take that into consideration when shopping!). Oh well-it just means I have to clean things out and get stuff ready for a rummage sale this summer. We got to spend some more time with some of my family at my sister Beth's house on Christmas day. It was nice and relaxed. The kids played games and the adults just hung out. Then we went out for some drinks on Friday night. Living away from home makes the time that I'm able to spend with my family so much more precious. I never realize how homesick I am until I get there.

We stayed with Ted's parents and we able to visit with his sister Shannon and her two girls, Lauren and Emily after their terrible 16 hour Amtrak experience. Kellen had a blast playing with them and seeing Grandma and Grandpa Butler. We also got to see his great aunts Pat and Elisabeth. They drove up from Madison on Sunday and we were able to have a nice roast dinner before heading back up here. As nice as it is to spend time with family, it's always nice to get back home!

I'm still not unpacked but I've got a few more days to get that done.

On another note, Mia is doing really well. We have her on prednisone and she has been eating a ton. I would say that she's gained back almost all of the weight that she had lost. Our friend Chris took care of the cats while we were gone. She is a life saver!

We don't have big plans for New Year's Eve. We plan on watching gopher basketball on TV and then the bowl game. Other than that, it will be a pretty uneventful night, which I'm not upset about! 2008 has been quite a year for us. I am looking forward to a safe, and less challenging 2009. Here's wishing you a wonderful 2009!