Christmas

3 Families, 3 Christmases (is that plural even right??? weird...)

1. Christmas Eve. Duane and I joined the sisters along with Mom and Dale at Dale's sister's house. It was a pleasant evening with the yummy food that always seems to go along with these events. After the festivities we went to Mom's La Crosse home (Dale's parents are currently in assisted living and since mom works in La Crosse now, she stays at their place a few nights a week to avoid a commute) and did some of the family presents since Duane and I weren't going to be around on Christmas Day. Emily, Dan, Duane and I got in a game of Euchre, gifts were exchanged, and we headed home. It was a wonderful little Christmas even if it wasn't exactly traditional.

2. Christmas Night. Duane had to work on Christmas Day. Brandi and I slept in (as much as a dog with a bladder on a timer lets you sleep in anyway) and picked up around the house. That night, despite his reservations about the bad weather that had been threatening to roll in, I managed to talk Duane into heading into Tomah to Dad and Mary's house. It's a good thing we went because Grandma and Grandpa hung around waiting for us and we got to say Merry Christmas and hand out hugs to loved ones we don't see often. Uncle Steve was also still there as well as Cousin Jean and her entire family. We had fun trying to convince shy little Laura (Jean's little girl) to take pictures with us. Emily finally succeeded by promising Laura she could open one of Emily's presents for her. Very cute! After a frozen pizza (Duane and I missed supper and the leftovers had been sent away to re-appear at Grandma's birthday party the next day) and another round of gift opening, the remaining family members all went to the basement for another round of fun. I won't go into detail now because that is part of the next blog. (Is that enough to entice you back?)

3. Jan. 16-17. Hey, look! It's in the future. I can't give you further details right now except to say that Duane and I are REALLY looking forward to visiting his Grandparents and his Parents on that weekend for the last Christmas. I'm pretty excited about the gifts we have for Duane Sr. and Wendy...so I'll do my best to get you an update after the event actually takes place.

Ok...that's all I've got. I'll try to do better with pictures next time.