Christmas part two.

Christmas Eve was mild but enjoyable, I picked up Kathy’s parents to have them join us for a three’o’clock church service. After church, we had dinner at our house with a bit of a social time then I brought them back their home. The kids went to bed by eleven’o’clock, early enough to make sure Santa had plenty of time to do his thing.

Christmas day, the kids slept a little longer than expected, waking up between seven and eight’o’clock. We checked out items that Santa brought then open presents to one another. Some of Paul’s gift’s were; a robe (bath robe), back pack for school, some books and dvd’s, he also got his lettermans jacket. A few of Brenna’s gifts were; clothes, a basketball hoop to hang on a door and the basketball gets shot back to you if you make the basket, gift cards and a music cd. Shays gifts were; clothes, Nerf bow and arrow set, books, and a crotchet kit. David got; binoculars, a Lego tank (lots of pieces which took him hours to build), a toy military gun and a shirt. Of course there was plenty candy in their socks they left out for Santa.

We went to Kathy’s brothers house early afternoon (on Christmas), they had two of their kids there (ages twenty and twenty one) and Kathy’s Mom and Dad also. Had a nice dinner, open more gifts and more good conversation. We were home by six’o’clock in the evening ready to soak in what we did the last twenty four hours. Watched one of our traditional Christmas movies – ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ (we all watched but David as he was up stairs, working hard on his Lego tank).

So it was another great Christmas with the Junker get together still to come, and we keep reminding the kids the real meaning of Christmas – The baby Jesus and the life he lived for us!

Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas Eve and Day – will fill in some details shortly. Merry Christmas!

Let the Christmas breaks begin.

For schools, the time off for Christmas and New Years varies some. Paul and David will have two full weeks off, Brenna has two days of school this week then has off a week and a half. Shaylin is still in discussion with her teacher (Kathy) about her break, sounding like she will have two light days of school then have off till after the New Year.

I get Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day off from the company. I’m am using a half day vacation on Monday and am taking a day vacation on Wednesday which will put me at work for a day and a half this week and four days the next.

The excitement is rolling in and even with everything going well and knowing Christmas is just a few days away we can still get at each others throats. We were in the car today, coming home from church, and the discussion was getting loud and obnoxious because the whole family was arguing over something I can’t even remember. I pulled the car over and said ‘I need it a bit quieter in here so I can think while I’m driving’ It only took a little more than five minutes and we were able to finish our trip home (barely without another big discussion about something with no deep value). It’s amazing but I believe part of the arguing is because some, think in a way, it’s fun to a certain extent.

Fort Snelling

Yesterday, David and I went to a function at Fort Snelling. It was called Wreathes Across America. All around the country, people were able to meet at military cemeteries, where small ceremonies were held (the cadets were in uniform), then everyone was invited to put wreaths on grave markers. It is something that the Civil Air Patrol does each year and is open to the public. There must have been over five hundred people there, channel five news was also there filming. I was able to look up find where my Uncle Gary’s (Wiese) marker was, had a short prayer time, then put a wreath on it. Davids leader took a picture of him saluting it (like they did all other markers that got wreaths).

No school closings this time around

At the beginning of the week, the weather forecast called for a big snowfall, we had a bit of snow and the four kids were hoping it would keep coming to make schools close – there were no school closings this time around.

While it was snowing I took Paul out driving to give him practice in the bad weather, we did highway driving as well as some side streets. He was glad to do it and did well but said he wouldn’t want to do it on his own.

Brenna ans Shaylin got the most time out in the snow, so far, this year. Brenna has been waiting weeks for the snow to come for sliding, snowball fights and snowman making. The two of them were out, in the snow having fun, a couple of different afternoons. Luckily they did it when they did because the snow has been melting and there isn’t much left for playing in.

David is loving CAP (Civil Air Patrol), he took a test online to get a badge but din’t get enough right so will have to retake it. School took a turn towards the good for David, probably a combination of getting to know more kids or better kids and the principal changed Davids daily schedule which I know he likes better.