Christmas Week

Saturday, after arriving safely in Sioux Falls, we unloaded our suitcases and gifts at our daughter, Katie's home.  She and her family were not home, they were greeting Jordan's sister and family at the airport and then went out for lunch.  We headed downtown to pick up a couple gifts and had a great holiday lunch at JL Beers.  Then another errand and back to the house to see everyone.  We had a nice visit with Katie and Jordan and then surprised the boys when they woke from their naps.

Katie and Jordan were hosting his family that night at their home, so we joined in the festivities and enjoyed seeing everyone there.

Sunday we were excited to be able to attend Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, our home parish. It was so great to hear Fr. Tom again and listen to the organ and music!  We greeted friends after Mass, then had a nice brunch at Caribou Coffee.  We went back to Katie's and spent the afternoon going through the storage tubs we had left with her when we moved out of the apartment and I wrapped Christmas presents.  A good job done when they were not home.  We joined them for the evening at the Breckenridge's for a great meal and holiday celebrating, Jim & Linda are such gracious hosts!  We are blest to have them as extended family.

Our mornings here started off early - for one, we are used to getting up early, so our bodies wake us and then for two and more fun, two little boys came down to see us after they woke up early.  We got up with them and read stories and played games - a great time to cuddle and visit.

Monday AM we had our Planet Heart appointments.  They did our blood work and the heart scan, we both passed with great scores.  Now we have a base record for any future tests and had numbers to give to our doctors at our appointments later in the week.  Brrr - this day was cold, -15 degrees for the high and windy.  Good thing the sun is shining.  Went to Panera for breakfast/lunch and coffee.  Ran a couple of errands, then Gary dropped me off at the Chancery where I used to work. Half of the staff was gone for Christmas vacation, so I visited with those present for about an hour while Gary went to do our banking at the credit union.  Before leaving, we picked up the music for midnight Mass - Dr. Ostermann had invited us to sing with the choir. Then on to our important date at McNally's - we were joined there by friends, Olesons and Kathy.  Back to Katie's by 6:00, we had a webinar for workamping we needed to listen to.

Tuesday - up to make Christmas cookies with Katie.  She was making the rolled sugar cookies I always had made, we helped her frost them.  We spent Christmas Eve evening with our good friends, Lyn & Diane, a great meal and precious time together to catch up.  Then to Cathedral to participate in the Lessons and Carols choir program and Midnight Mass.  When we arrived Gary was asked by our director to read one of the lessons. We were joined there by Ben and Kelsey, it was great to see them and all be part of our tradition of singing together on Christmas Eve.  Home and to bed by 2:00 AM.

Merry Christmas!  Two little boys were up at 6:30 and excited that Santa had come.  They opened their presents from Mom & Dad and then came down to get us up before going to see what Santa had brought.  We so enjoyed being a part of that special time.They all left mid morning to go to the Breckenridges', we got ready and drove out to Jan and Bob Laufmann's, (Gary's sister) and their daughter, (Dr. Jennifer). They live west of the Baltic exit.  The blowing snow made the road drifted and slippery after we left the interstate - real winter driving that we have not done for a long time. We had a wonderful brunch there with them and were also joined by Tom and Rosie (Gary's brother), and their son Daryl.

Mid afternoon we headed back to Sioux Falls - the wind had gone down, but the roads were still not plowed.  We spent the evening with the Klein's and their family, a wonderful meal and fun time catching up and playing cards.

Thursday AM - Dr. appointment for me and a couple errands to finish Christmas shopping for our family celebration this evening.  We were supposed to have lunch with the Pickle Barrel boys, but they were not available.  We took Katie and her family out instead.  An afternoon Dr. appointment and then home for our family Christmas. Ben & Kelsey had arrived, Gary and Katie had been to the grocery store to get supplies for the Peppers & Shells recipe for supper and the celebrating began. A fun time together.  We were joined that evening by my folks and sister.

Friday - Gary and I were up to get ready for our dentist appointments, but received a call that our hygienist was ill and would like an appointment for next week.  Sorry, we will no longer be in Sioux Falls.  Gary ran some errands and then took me to my hair cut appointment.  A friend picked me up and we went to lunch with more girlfriends from the Chancery.  The other Deb Sieverding (my sister-in-law) joined us, she was home from AZ for the holiday also.  That afternoon we met Jenny and Gregg at the Grille to see them and then were invited to Kathy's for our Papa Murphy's pizza fix and visiting with more friends.  What a great time we have had this week seeing everyone!!

Saturday AM was spent packing up our storage tubs to take with us and our suitcases for the trip. We are only leaving two tubs now, we have two with us, left one with Gary's sister and purged the items that were in the others.  This afternoon we head to Council Bluffs for my Dad's 80th birthday party to  be held there Sunday afternoon.  Another sunny, dry drive - the best way to travel.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.