Christmas 2008

Happy New Year!!!

Susan and David had a little reminder of what Wisconsin weather is like during their visit this Christmas. A couple of days ago we were hit with ice and then about eight inches of snow, as well as several sub-zero days during their stay.

That didn't stop them from getting outside and meeting Dot and Pumpkin (Emma's chickens)... but I'm getting ahead of myself!

The week before Christmas, Leila and I had lunch at Olive Garden with a group of Hurlburt women-- mostly my sisters-in-law, but also my mother-in-law Jane and nephew Steve's wife, Tina.

For several years now we've gathered there for a Secret Pal gift exchange. We meet and draw names for the upcoming year, but also reveal our identities to our secret pal from the previous year. There's a gift exchange and lots of animated talk over breadsticks and bowls of soup or pasta.

As you can see, it's a "ladies only" thing. It's been a lot of fun and something I think we all look forward to... a somewhat self-indulgent break amidst all the holiday duties that fall on our shoulders this time of year.

After lunch some of us stopped by Phil and Jill's new house for a peek. Since their children have left the nest already, they were ready to downsize and simplify their lives a little by getting a smaller home with a smaller yard. It's a very nice place with a spacious feeling and still plenty of room for when their kids come visit.

Well, Christmas 2008 was busy and eventful for my little branch of our family. Most exciting was the new stocking we had to hang on our mantle-- little Leila Jane's. But since I'm a big Christmas person and enjoy holiday decorating, I was also looking forward to seeing what all my holiday "stuff" would look like in our new home.

It turns out the new house in Colfax can look PRETTY "CHRISTMASSY", with a little bit of effort. I have enough holiday stuff I usually have to put away all of my regular wall art and decorative objects from around the house-- I even replace our regular dishes with Christmas dishes.

I have a snowman collection and a Santa collection. I have a big artificial tree that rotates (though our main tree is a "real" one). There are little trees with lights and ornaments adorning just about every room in the house. Even our bathroom gets a holiday makeover. I admit, it's a little bit over the top.

But it's FOR THE KIDS... right?

We had lots of family over. First to arrive was my brother Don and his wife Hope, along with their three energetic kids: Stephen, Beth, and Kenny. They arrived at our house early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.

The kids had a chance to run around and play with their cousins before we all headed to Eau Claire for a children's mass at Sacred Heart church in Eau Claire.

Unfortunately, we arrived right when mass started, so the church was packed to overflowing when we got there. Our large group was unable to sit together, but we all were given a place to sit. Beth and Emma sat by each other (without a parent by them), but behaved very well during the service.

Leila was a little "vocal", so we spent a lot of time with her in the very back.

During the sermon the priest invited all of the children up to the altar, for a "talk". He asked them questions, such as "Who do you think came here tonight from furthest away?" Kenny was quick to volunteer that he was from Arkansas, and so won the "from furthest away" contest, hands down. Kind of a fun moment of triumph, for the Bragg kids.

Before bed, all the kids hung their stockings above our fireplace, so they'd be ready for Santa. There was some concern expressed about whether Santa would be deterred by the fire in our fireplace, but the children were eventually reassured that Santa had encountered that problem before and knew how to get around it.

Kenny slept in a cot in Michael's room, and Beth slept right alongside Emma in her bed. Stephen spent part of the night with his parents, on an air mattress, and the rest of the night in a playpen.

The next morning the kids were up bright and early... even adults were awake by 5:30 am. We let the kids have their stockings right away, but made everyone wait to open presents until Susan, David, and Jonathan arrived at about 10:30 am. The kids were very patient, considering the five hour wait!

Once the big kids arrived, we let the kids tear into their presents. We had just started cleaning up the wrapping paper and gift bag debris when the rest of our guests arrived: my brothers Bob, John, and Bill, John's partner Jim, and my parents. So there were more presents to open, and more cheerful chaos.

Luckily some of my brothers helped me in food prep. Here's Bill, peeling potatoes.

We had a big holiday meal: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, candied carrots, green bean casserole, broccoli and cauliflauer salad, and pie.

Mom, Dad, and Bill headed home to Rhinelander a few hours after the meal, as did Don and Hope's family. But Bob, John, and Jim stayed overnight. Since we also had Susan, David, and Jonathan, we still had a housefull.

Susan had brought along a karoake game to play on our Play Station. It's different than traditional karoake in that it keeps track of how closely each singer follows the notes, so that singers can objectively compete with one another. We all took turns at the microphone... even Jon and Jonathan, which made it interesting.

It turns out that Hurlburts are better singers than Braggs-- rats!

Our Bragg guests left the next day, so we had a couple of days for the kids to play with their new Christmas games and toys (and each other) before the next big event... Grandpa Bud's birthday party in Cornell.

The party was at Jon's sister Ann's family's hunting cabin (which I have mentioned before is a very comfortable, nice place). There was sledding for the kids, an outdoor fire pit, and plenty of good food and drink. Susan and David were able to visit with many of their Hurlburt cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Ann's youngest son, Eric, recently announced his engagement to school teacher Sarah, and his soon-to-be stepdaughter, Brooke (who turns 3 today, New Year's Day) was there. Brooke is an outgoing, delightful little girl who charmed all of us by giving goodbye hugs to every single person there when it was time for them to leave.

In the picture below Sarah is holding Brooke while Jon balances Leila on the countertop (pay no attention to the unflattering shot of me hovering in the background).

After the birthday party we headed over to Bud and Jane's for another gift opening and snacks. It was a busy, fun day.

Our week with Susan and David went fast. Leila enjoyed the extra attention and all the lap-time she received.

On New Year's Eve day, Susan and David's mother and stepfather came by to pick them up. They brought along their son Logan (Kenny's age), and so we were able to get a shot of Susan, David, and Jonathan with ALL of their brothers and sisters-- together at the same time. What a crew-!

Before they left, and on the day we were hit with eight more inches of snow, Jon and the kids walked up the hill by our house to Johnne's farm, to meet the chickens (Leila and I stayed behind, to keep warm).

We were able to persuade David to get out of his fashion comfort zone and wear snow pants and a ski jacket... however, he refused to wear a hat or gloves and was a little "put out", I think.

Susan and Emma reveled in their status as Jon's "outside girls", and had a blast riding the snowmobile, playing in the snow, and being generally silly. Jon was out there with them, loving every minute of it.

A Christmas to remember! Happy 2009, everyone!!