New Years Eve
December 31, 2007 
Well, it’s that time again. The night where you have to make that resolution and try to stick to it for an entire year. Peggy & I have talked and we agreed that our resolution will be to drink a glass of red wine each day (or a couple of times a week) to keep healthy. We feel that this is one resolution that we may actually be successful at.
I hope everyone has a nice New Years Eve and that you all stay safe. And may you not have a hangover in the morning. I’ll write again in the new year! ~Cathy
Christmas
December 27, 2007 
It’s been a busy Christmas season, but now that’s it’s over I’m just relaxing at home and enjoying not having to wake up for work. We traveled to Wisconsin and enjoyed three days with Nate’s family and then we went over to my sisters house for Christmas day. Her husband, Brad cooked up delicious pork & beef roasts that were a perfect “Christmassy” dinner.
We opened presents on Christmas Eve and the girls were very excited about their gifts. Santa came Christmas morning and Kelly woke us up to tell us that we all made the “nice” list. That’s what you want to hear!
I hope you had a nice holiday as well and lets hope for a wonderful New Year!
Tile News
December 19, 2007 
Today we had our tile floors installed. They’re not finished yet, so when we got home, we found a note on our door telling us to use the back patio door. Nice, we had to walk around the side of the house and through the backyard with no path shoveled. Megan was very nice and went out and shoveled a path through the grass, so that her dad wouldn’t have to walk in the snow.
We can’t see the tile or the hardwood floors just yet because they are covered up with cardboard to protect them from all the traffic that keeps coming through our doors. Tomorrow they are painting the walls, putting the ‘pulls’ on the cabinets and finishing up the tile. After that, we should see the “unveiling” of the floors.
Outback
I just got home from a fun night out with my friend Dawn. Instead of exchanging gifts this year, we chose to dine out and enjoy catching up on each other’s lives. With all that said, I have to tell you about the yummy drink we had. It was a Gingerbread Cookie Martini. Fab-u-lous! The martini had gingerbread cookie crumbs along the rim and in it was Bailey’s, Vodka, and gingerbread syrup. Peg, you could try and make one, you’re good at experimenting on these. Worth trying. If you’re ever near an Outback, stop in and try one of these dandies (you closet drinkers). I’m not religious anymore, just fun.
Whoo-hoo Vikings!!!!
Megan’s Birthday
Megan is officially 10! Last night she had her girlfriend birthday party at the ice arena. We had12 girls skating around and having a good time. After skating, she opened her gifts and we had cake. Doing birthday parties has become less stressful as a parent. These girls could do everything themselves, right down to putting on their own skates. Nate & I enjoyed skating around the rink hand in hand….okay, we just skated, but it was nice to have some time alone as well.
Island View
I came home from work today to find that our cabinets had been installed! How exciting is that. The island is also in, so you really get a feel for how the kitchen is going look. Everything is coming along so nicely. I can hardly wait until the floors are put in next. Time to go take some pictures!
Feeling Good
Megan went back to school today, so I think we’re on the road to a healthy holiday this year. In three days she will turn 10 years old. Someone said to me today, “Wow, a whole decade has gone by.” I stopped what I was doing and thought back ten years . It sure doesn’t seem that long ago that we were having our first baby, but my friend is right, it has been a decade. All I can say to that is, “Enjoy the time that you have, because a decade can go by quickly.”
Recital
Today Kelly had her Christmas piano recital out in Bloomington at an Assistant Living facility. Megan was suppose to go as well, but came down with the flu in the middle of the night. The program lasted a half an hour with about ten different kids playing Christmas Carols. It was very nice and everyone did a wonderful job. Afterwards, Kelly & I wandered about the building looking at all the different decorated trees. Each tree was decorated in a theme, the funniest was a “bingo” tree! How fitting for the elderly.
Polar Express
Now that we’re living out of our downstairs family room, we’ve been watching more movies. We’re getting into the holiday spirit by choosing Christmas movies. Last night we watched Elf and tonight, one of my personal favorites, The Polar Express. I love the “Hot Chocolate” scene and the music that goes with it. It’s one of those movies that makes you feel like a kid….and at Christmas time, we should all get to be kids.
Smelly Week
Another week down, only six to go. This week we haven’t seen any changes in the kitchen but we sure could smell the change. They worked on staining the floor boards and putting primer on the wall. When we came home from school on Wednesday, the air was thick in here! I didn’t care that it was zero degrees out, a window needed to be opened or we were all going to be a little “loopy” by the end of the night.
