Christmas and New Years 2007

Every Christmas for us is full of family holiday parties, and this year was no exception! We left our house the morning of the 22nd and started the holiday in Iron Mountain for Christmas with the Jacques (Colin's mom's) family. We usually only see this side of the family once a year (at Christmas) so it's always nice to catch up with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. From Iron Mountain, we headed to my Aunt Bev's in Cornell for a pre-Christmas/birthday party dinner for my cousin Kevin. Kevin's a 'lucky' one who's birthday falls 3 days before Christmas, and even though he's now 38 we still love singing to him and making him blow out candles =) Birthdays never go uncelebrated in the Kaukola (my mom's) family - Colin has learned to expect a cake with candles and everyone singing to you no matter how old you get; it's just the way it is! =)

The 23rd was our one 'off' day, and it turned out to be MORE off than we'd even expected. It was a very snowy and windy day; so much that 2 power lines blew down, and we sat at Colin's parent's house without power for most of the day. Colin's dad has a generator so of course the priority was 1) hook up the TV (to watch football!) and THEN 2) heat the house. We basically lounged all day (me in my PJs) watching football by candle-light, napping, and snacking on foods that didn't require cooking. We went to a local bar for dinner (cheeseburgers), and when we got back around 6:00 pm the power was back on. It was a nice, relaxing, lazy day.

On Christmas Eve morning we left the Pomeroy residence and drove up to Marquette to spend some time with our friends Brad and Brooke Spindler. We visited at Brooke's parents for a couple hours and then went out for a late breakfast. This was the first time we'd met their little girl, Rylee, and even though she had an ear ache, she was such a happy, smiley baby, making everyone around her smile as well. Rylee's as much a doll in person as all her blog pictures show, and it was so nice to see Brad and Brooke again! =)

We went to church with my family on Christmas Eve, and then from there to Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa Boyer's. The Boyer family Christmas is always fun; lots of food and drinks, an entertaining gift exchange, and the night capped off with Grandpa making grasshoppers for everyone. We actually forgot our camera, but here are a few pictures from the Boyer Christmas (from my sister Sara).













After leaving Grandma & Grandpa's house, we headed back to my parents for the night. No matter how late it is when we get home (which is usually pretty late), we always exchange gifts on Christmas Eve with my family. I was first to bed around midnight (VERY tired after a busy day). I actually had my first Braxton Hicks contractions that night - I guess my body's way of saying "ok, time to rest now!"

Christmas Day we start at my Grandma & Grandpa Holmquist's (round 2 with the Kaukola family), eat a wonderful Christmas lunch, and then head to Pomeroy's again in the afternoon. Gift exchange with the Pomeroys is fun because our nephews pick out a gift for everyone (from the Dollar Store), and it's great to see what they come up with. The electical tape and tupperware from Brendan will come in very handy! =) We ate a second and equally as wonderful dinner with Colin's family on Christmas evening, and even put our new tupperware to use packing up some leftovers to bring home!

Colin had to work the day after Christmas, so late Christmas night he headed back to De Pere, and I went to my parents again. My mom, Sara, Shannon, and I got an early start again on the 26th. First we saw Sara off at the airport at 8:00 am - back to Spain for another couple months, but the next time she's home (in Feb.) she'll be an auntie! =) After the airport, mom, Shannon, and I went wedding dress shopping which was a lot of fun! We quickly realized that Shannon has the perfect proportions for wedding dresses because EVERYTHING looked great on her. She didn't find THE dress yet, but we certainly found at least one very possible option! =)

I rode back to Wisconsin with Colin's parents on the 27th, and that evening we had Christmas with the extended Pomeroy family at Colin's aunt's in Kimberly, WI. Again, we don't see this side of the family very often so it was nice to catch up with everyone. Wellyn, Sue, Brendan, and Aiden also spent that night at our house before heading home to Minnesota the next morning. Their Christmas trip home was much like ours so none of us had much energy for anything other than watching TV that night!

The Christmas whirlwind basically ended on the 27th, and then Colin and I had 4 solid days with NOTHING planning. We've actually been very productive around the house, getting the Christmas gifts put away, taking down the tree, and finally organizing Baby's Girl's things. Last night we went out for a really nice New Year's Eve dinner with our friends Andy & Anne Bock and then to listen to another friend's band after that. We rung in the New Year with friends, but then headed home at about 12:05 (way past my bedtime these days!). Today's been another lazy day of watching football, playing Scrabble, and napping =) My 11 days off have gone way too fast, and tomorrow it's back to work =P Tomorrow's also marks 35 weeks for Baby Girl - only 5 to go!!! =) The countdown is on! Lots for us to look forward to in 2008 =)