December 31

New Year's Eve is here and we start a brand new year tomorrow!  I think I am finally on the mend from this crud that I have had.  Still lots of goop in my head, but having more energy.

I had to go out and get a new trimmer as the wire where the cutting blade runs started to fray.  This happened about a year ago and I wrote to Fiskars and they sent me a new part.  So, I repeated that process and hopefully they will send it to me again.  But in the meantime, my paper edges were being frayed.  They were 40% off at JoAnns.  

Still making cards to fill my card box.  It has been rather depleted.  

Harlee has been over spending time with her auntie on her last day here.  

December 29

It has been another quiet day at home, trying to recuperate.  STill lots of congestion and I run out of voice by the end of the day!  I am sure my family loves that!  Missed a half day of work today and I am not going in tomorrow!  I don't want to get further run down and get something else.  Cait has also managed to catch something and now Curtis is sneezing.  Just lovely for Christmas vacation.

This came to our house for Christmas 

and Curtis and Cait are giving it a workout while the grandkids are not here!

I also created a few more cards this afternoon.

Hope to get over this bug real soon and be more productive!  Enough is enough!

I do not make the best patient.

December 28

Another quiet day at home, trying to kick this bug,  Cough, cough!!!  Hack, hack.   Time on the couch.  Had to make a run to Target for more Kleenex.  Quickly running out with the colds going around here. 

Made some pancakes for breakfast..  

Had a skiff of snow out this morning that made the roads a touch slippery.  

Have been making a card or two.

December 27

Today was our anniversary!  Celebrating 29 years together!  But, since I am sick we are just celebrating at home.  Had a very quiet day, after watching all the munchkins yesterday!

December 25

Merry Christmas.  I hope you all have had the wonderful day that I have had,  my little family was here celebrating and that is what makes me happy.  It was not a white Christmas.  Temps were well into the 40’s.  I think everyone was happy with their gifts.  There were a few surprises under the tree.  And a couple of yummy meals.

My picture this evening is a couple of Canadian decorations I have received that mean a lot to me!

December 24

Another Christmas Eve.  It has been a great day!  I don't feel great.  I have a head cold.  I was up late last night , after working all day.  Cait flew in  last night around 11pm.  I was up early and out of the house by 8:30 and at the grocery store.  I went and got Kirsten and the kids and headed to the mall to have a visit with Santa.  They had their lists for Santa. Everyone behaved, even Cooper.  It was a lovely afternoon with Kirsten and the kids.  Nic made a fire truck out of an old box.  Yummy dinner of Fondue, stuffed mushrooms, little smokies. Meatballs, veggies and dip.

December 21

Tried to have kind of a quieter day day.  We had a little skiff of snow most of the morning.  Curtis and I went out to Home Depot for a few things we needed.  We ran uptown and had lunch and visited a few shops there. We got out new canvas pictures hung in the living room.  And I spent time in my scrap room and created.  I finished up a layout that has been laying there since before we went to Hawaii.  And I made a card.  Talked to my sister.

A few cute photos of Mr. C.

December 20

Yesterday was a doozy.  I was exhausted by the end.  We were supposed to get snow last night, but I guess the winds changed and we didn't get much!

Curtis headed on the road.  First he headed north about 30 min. to Benton Lake and then he turned around and headed south to Helena, about 90 miles. But he did stop at Costco to get a couple of things for me.

I caught up on laundry.  Washed, folded, ironed!  Changed some sheets and remade the bed.  Cleaned up the kitchen.  Wrapped some presents.

Then Kirsten and I had a miscommunication and both ended up at the school to get the kids. But they did come to visit me after school.  They are on Christmas break now.

Curtis and I went out for dinner with a fellow he knows through work and his wife.  Very nice dinner and I didn't have to cook!!!

Came home and collapsed.

Just a couple of ornaments from my tree.

December 19

Next, I will document our cooking making afternoon.  It sure helped tat the kids were done at 1:30.  The dough was all made.  So, after Kirsten and I ad a bit of lunch, cookie making commenced.  I always put some freezer paper down on my table and that saves a lot of heartache!so, without further ado- cookie making 2013!

December 18

Yesterday, was such a fun day for this nana, but I was pooped by the end of the day!

And I had sleepy well during the night, so that added to the issues.

Kirsten dropped Cooper off early.  I got dinner organizes and made 2 batches of sugar cookie dough.  At 11:45 we headed to the school as it was H & N Christmas programs.  Thank goodness they are one following the other! 

Nic was first.  He was pretty excited to see us.  

He stood up there with all the kids.  Didn't cause a disturbance.  But, he didn't sing- he said he was looking for Grandpa Skip!  He has ear phones on, because the noise is just too much for him.  Big strides for this little man.  His nana is so proud!

This little guy watched intently!

Next, it was Harlee's turn.  She was pretty excited too.  

They had made and decorated the reindeer antlers they are wearing.  It was hard to get a good shot without the antlers from the kid in front of her in the way.  She was happy not to be in the front row.  But it is better for this nana taking photos when she is!

Then we came home and baked sugar cookies.  More to come!

December 17

Today, I was cancelled from work and just on call.  So, I did not want to get involved in a huge baking project. First I made a casserole for Kirsten and her crew for dinner.  Cooper had her up quite a bit of the night.  She worked all day and I knew she wouldn't feel like cooking..  Then I headed out to the post office.  What a nightmare.  I needed a few stamps for a few cards to Canada!  I did not have quite enough to finish the job!  I waited patiently in line for 40min.  I was hoping that work would not call as I reached the front of the line.  

I thought that I had left those remaining few cards in my car.  I panicked a little when I only found two in the car.  Then, I thought maybe I sent the others without a stamp?  They were waiting on my kitchen table when I finally got home.

I went to the bank, the health food store, the grocery store and Target.  Target was crazy with people today.  I could hardly wait to get home.  I wiped down my wood floor in my living room.

Kirsten arrived after school with the kids and waited until she needed to get Tim. 

This is what it was lie out when they were leaving!

Beautiful sunsets the last few evenings!  But, the wind is howling as we get ready for our next winter storm tomorrow.  Spent the evening wrapping gifts.  And tomorrow is H &N's Christmas program at school.