First Week of Vacation

Week One of my Vacation is done - and I think I did a pretty good job of enjoying it!

Wednesday was Daddy and Alice Day at Lon's - so I went over there and hung out with them for a bit. I bundled Alice up and took her out in the snow while Lonny shoveled. Once she got the hang of walking in those boots, she really loved it. Her favorite thing to do was kind of to fall forward into a snowbank.

Thursday I watched Alice while both Lon and Jaime worked. Auntie Sue called to invite me up to Blaine for lunch with her and Grandma and Grandpa. Alice and I accepted and spent a fun few hours at Sue's. We went out to lunch at Carol's (Sue and Bob's go-to-cafe). Alice was great - playing with Great Grandpa at lunch, sitting at Auntie Sue's keyboard, and being cute for everybody!

Photo by Alice

Thursday night was sorta like old times. I picked up Melanie for a night out. We went to Suzie's - which was ok - but we wanted more excitement. We headed over to Grumpy's - which was full - not packed. .but we decided to head over to the Turf Club for live music. That was fun, but loud. And even MORE like old times - Vanhtha joined us for "one drink." We didn't stay all night - in fact I think we left about midnight. I had a lot of fun.

Friday I hung out with Alice again. Here are a few adorable photos from our lunchtime experience.

Alice is so cute with her faces, but mom's right . .no camera is quick enough to get them! Here's a teeny hint at one of the cute faces!


"Auntie Carrie, put away the camera!"


"Seriously, Auntie Carrie! Now I'm getting crabby!"

Friday night was Girls Night (LRH event) at Cousin Heidi's. We had a GREAT dinner of chicken, green beans, cheesy potatoes, and Mrs. T's pierogis. Then we chillaxed and watched movies. Julie headed home - but I crashed at Heidi's. With Heidi's window coverings in her bedroom - and no dogs to wake me up - I slept until 10AM!! It was nice. We slowly got up, watched another movie, and got ready for the day.

Saturday was actually the Sibling Christmas at Jon/Genevieve's so Heidi and I made our way to St. Paul for MORE yummy food and general chillaxin. We had chili and a bunch of apps. . .and after they opened presents - we hung out and played a lot of Wii!!

It's Sunday. Vikes play at 3pm. Yes, as Lon said, if the Saints win at noon - then it really won't matter that the Vikes are playing today. . . but I'll probably watch anyway. Pups come home soon - and Week Two of my Vacation starts tomorrow! Happy New Year!! (if I don't talk to you sooner!)

Merry Christmas 2007

So - we left school Friday knowing we had 2 full weeks off - but that it would seem like nothing . . so here's to making the most (and enjoying!) my vacation!

Started off great - with a trip to the airport Friday night to pick up mom and dad. Lonny and I both went. By the time we got to Lonny's, Alice was already sleeping - so mom and dad would have to wait a little bit longer to see the Princess.

Saturday morning was busy as I was rushing around my apartment - trying to get everything perfect for my Polish Cousins. Pierogi and Cabbage Rolls have been a part of Christmas since I can remember. As an adult (and my mom living far far away my whole adult life) - I realized I'd have to know how to make them if I really want to have them! :) I'm not sure what year this all started - but I do remember making cabbage rolls at Heidi's apartment in New Brighton (while Lon and Jon played video games). . . and also pierogi one year at my apartment in Fridley (while Lon and Jon played video games) using a Pam can wrapped in tin foil as a rolling pin! Well, a few years ago it became an official mark of the holiday season when Julie, Heidi, and I gathered at my house to cook. Yes, Lon and Jon were there . . .not helping - but (you guessed it) playing video games! :) Last year, my Norwegian mama was in town, so she joined us with her expertise! She learned from the master (our Grandma Mary) so we were in good hands! Alice, Kelsey, and Abbey were also there last year - and that was cool to see K & A getting into it also! So! This year was a hit - most of us were there - Julie, Heidi, Me, Lon/Jaime/Alice, Jon/Genevieve, Mom/Dad, Mary Joy, . . . and Uncle Jim even came for a bit! (Oh yeah - and Jaymie stopped by on her way home from St. Paul . . . I don't think she'd seen my parents since my wedding!)

Alice Mae gets ready to leave the party

I feel like I did a lot of running around - rather than actually helping with rolling, cutting, or general cooking . . .but it was a blast! We had sloppy joes, Christmas cookies, chips, and potato salad for lunch. I love hosting people . . . so all went well!

After our event - mom/dad/jaime/lon/alice and I headed up to Blaine to Auntie Sue's house. There was a chili dinner there with many cousins, Grandma and Grandpa, and other members of the Sanchi Jebanobe group (owners of our hunting land/shack in northern MN). Alice got to play with her second cousins - except for her newest one - Hannah Sophia was born earlier that morning!

Sunday was a yucky day for weather. Lots of blowing snow and icy roads - but we were out in it - cuz we needed to shop! Mom, Dad, and I did a lot of running around whilst Lon's were up at Jaime's family's "Little Christmas Eve." We did gather that night at Lonny's tho - for Sunday Chicken Dinner and the Vikes (eek).

Monday - Christmas Eve. Relaxing morning here at home - then went back up to Blaine for Christmas dinner with mom and dad. All were there except Jeff/Bridget and Lon/Jaime. Even baby Hannah was there!!! Good time - lots of noise (and only 3 kids making it!!!) - but fun to hang out with cousins and Grandma and Grandpa again.

Me & Mom - Self Portrait

Grandma & Grandpa & 3 of their Great Granddaughters

Bob & Sue & Grandkids

Kyla gets down to business

Caleb can do it to!

Yesterday - Christmas Day. Brunch at Lonny's - I made mini quiches (very good) - and we also had cinnamon rolls. We checked stockings and opened gifts - and then lounged in our PJs. Alice enjoyed her haul - yes, haul! - and having Grandma and Grandpa to play with. Uh - we also watched 40 year old Virgin - as Dad had seen part of it on regular tv at my house - so we pulled out Lonny's DVD. Kind of a weird movie to watch with your parents - I'm just sayin' - so for you - "note to self." Christmas Day was fun and relaxing - and then about 7pm or so I brought mom and dad back to the airport. (I wonder if Alice is waking up this morning thinking "where in the heck did everyone go??")

Alice took her gifts to her Elmo chair to open them

December 26th - first official day of vacation. . . . got up at 8am with puppies, will shower soon, may go have lunch with Lon/Alice and maybe do some shopping with all of them when Jaime gets home from work. Yup. Or I'll do nothing. Who knows?? I'm on VACATION!!!

:) Merry Christmas!!

QUICK Update

OK OK OK! I know I said I'd be back - but yes, this is a crazy week at school, plus getting ready for mom and dad to arrive (in less than 24 hours!)

Craftstravaganza.

Well - it came and went. I pretty much missed it all. Alice Mae was up in Big Lake with Jaime's sister. She was having a rough morning - and with the bad weather we had that day - with more bad weather on the way - it was a no brainer: Someone had to go get Alice. I spent 2.5 hours on the road that day - getting Alice and then bringing her back to Minneapolis.




Emergency Room.

By the time we made it to Minneapolis, Alice was really crabby. I brought her home, we had some lunch, and she went down for a nap. When she got up she just wasn't herself. She slept again, and after that nap, she was even worse. She had a fever and definitely not feeling good. Jaime got home from the Craft Fair a little after 5pm - and by that time Alice's fever was higher, and she was just limp. We ended up braving the sloppy (& dangerous) roads to bring Alice into the ER. Lonny met us there . . . yadda yadda yadda . . a few hours, a chest x-ray, a cathader, some Tylenol, and some Pedialyte later. . .Alice was looking more normal. (She actually was up walking around and gabbing it up by the time we all made it back to Lon/Jaime's.)


Christmas Cookies.

Last weekend, Jaymie invited me and Alice to join her kids in some Christmas Cookie Decorating. We accepted - especially because Lon and Jaime were busy opening Who Made Who (new storefront to Lon's new studio). Alice loved playing with the cats, pointing at all of Jaymie's beautiful Christmas decorations, and eating the cookies she "made."






Here Alice is enjoying Jaymie's tree - and made sure to take advantage of Joel's height to see the ornaments up high!
















Haircut.

Ok - and this week I got my hair cut again - getting beautiful for the Holidays! :)


Hope you are all enjoying the season!

Breathe

Well - I know I'm behind in my posts . . . but I'll be back this week (I PROMISE) to update.

For now - I am breathing a sigh of relief as our ESL Family Night went off without a hitch tonight. It's been a busy few weeks planning for this evening event - complete with food, child-care, info booths, and awesome q&a sessions.

I work with a great group of people - all of whom were an important part of this great event. From the support and "yes, we can" attitude of our administration - to the secretaries who greeted families and organized coffee runs - to the kitchen staff who cooked for 200 (but served less) - to the adult and student volunteers . . . words cannot say how greatful I am to be part of such an awesome team!

Here are the members of my department who were able to take a moment before the night started for a photo. (I would like to say it's the sweatshirt making me look so big. . but yeah - what can I say. . .I like my carbs.) :/



Updates from the past two weekends coming soon! (check back!)