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Monday, December 24, 2012

On Christmas In Wisconsin (Part 2)

Well it is finally here. The day we have spent all December trying to prepare for and yet never seem quite ready. The stockings have been hung and the tree trimmed at my home for some time and we have spent the last few days enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. Unfortunately a minor blizzard last week canceled the youngest's school program and we spent the better part of a day without electricity. Other than that hiccup it has been a fantastic week.

Wednesday Dec. 19, 2012: Mad dash to the stores to pick up final items and food stuffs before the predicted storm arrives at 6:00pm. School for Thursday was cancelled by 3:00pm before a single flake of snow fell.

Thursday Dec. 20, 2012: We awake to find a light covering of snow. Reports are that the worst of the storm is due at 12:00 noon. Oldest and I make last trip to the store to find a gift for her to give to the youngest. We also buy her a new pair of snow boots. The storm starts on schedule at Noon. Power goes out shortly after 1pm it is restored by 230.  We think we have dodged a bullet. Power fails again at 430pm it does not come back. We spend a cold dark night huddled together.

Friday Dec 21, 2012: I awake disappointed to discover the world did not end over night and I would be forced to shovel the large amount of snow and ice on the drive. The power is still out. After clearing the drive (partially) I am delighted to discover our Water heater does not use any electricity and am able to take a hot shower. We leave t=he house to warm up at the mall. Most of the town seems to be there as well. We decide to get a hotel room. We head home and begin packing. Power returns just as we are heading to the door. Kids complain that we are no longer going. I am relieved.

Saturday Dec 22. 2012: Annual trip to the Rotary Botanical Gardens Light Show. Biggest crowd we have ever seen at the show. It seems as though the secret is out and this little wonder is becoming a major attraction.


Sunday Dec 23, 2012: Oldest and I consider a new tradition and tour the Victorian Holiday Display at the Lincoln-Tallman House. Very pretty and interesting. Not every day you get to see a bed that President Lincoln slept in.

Monday Dec 24, 2012: Extended family Christmas. This is hard to explain and I will try to add pictures of the event later. When we are all together there are more than 50 of us. My In-Laws, Their 8 kids and spouses, the grandchildren (and in some cases their spouses) and the Great Grand children. It is a gathering like no other. There are games, food, drinks (Tom and Jerrys are the speciality) and a choice of church service at 4 or 10 pm. (My portion of the clan takes the 4pm option so the kids are so grumpy).

Tuesday Dec 25, 2012: Quiet day at home with just the 4 of us. We will exchange gifts and see what Santa has left for the well behaved members of the family. I hope each and every one of you are able to relax and enjoy the day with those you hold dear. Merry Christmas.


As a special treat here is a link to one of my favorite Christmas Stories: Frontier Christmas

Monday, December 3, 2012

On Christmas in Wisconsin (Part One)

This past weekend was the official kick-off to the Christmas season here in Wisconsin. Official tree lighting ceremonies were held, carolers sung and crafts were sold. In a whirlwind of activity my little clan attempted to see it all. To give you dear reader a sense of the activities I present for you the timeline of my weekend.

Saturday Dec 1 8:00 am: I do a web search for nearby holiday activities. After finding several, it is decided that we will take full advantage of the list and have a "Good Old Fashioned Fun-Filled Family Holiday Weekend" Looking back this was a mistake and i should have just slept for another few hours.

Saturday Dec 1 9:30 am: After a rush of showers, getting dressed and a few fights, we head to the hospital for "Breakfast with Santa"

Saturday Dec 1 9:45 am: We arrive and the Hospital to learn that every other resident of our town also intended to eat Breakfast with Santa and had managed to leave their homes a few minutes before us. Seeing the massive lines and the meager portions on the Breakfast plates we head to a local diner for Breakfast instead.

Saturday Dec 1 11:00 am: Snowflake Craft fair. This is a Yearly Tradition in our town. Many vendors selling items that are not to be found anywhere else. In addition food, carolers and door prizes. We spend quite some time here and spend more money than I care to think about. oldest Child won a door prize. this was a source of frustration as the youngest did not win a door prize and well I will let you imagine the results. The Carolers were nice:



Saturday Dec 1 1:00 pm : Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus. After misreading the time for this activity we arrived mere moments before Mrs. Claus packed up her table at the local grocery. The girls both managed to decorate a cookie with the Mrs. and spent a few minutes talking to her.

Saturday Dec 1 2:00 pm: Victorian holiday Craft Fair. What's better than a craft fair? 2 Craft Fairs in the same day of course. Unfortunately the second fair was filled with many of the same vendors found at the previous fair.

Saturday Dec 1 3:30 pm: Walking around Downtown of a neighboring city waiting for the parade of lights to start in a few hours. Unfortunately it begins raining and most members of the family decide they had had enough "Family Fun" for one day.

Saturday Dec 1 4:00 pm: we return home. prepared to call it a day and relax.

Saturday Dec 1 5:00pm: Certain members of the family feel we should have waited to see the parade of lights and convince this blogger to go back to the Parade. Fully half of the family rejects this idea and remains at home relaxed.

Saturday Dec 1 5:30 pm: The remaining half of the family arrives at the parade route. The rain has let up and it is now only mostly miserable. The parade begins passing our spot at 6:00 pm and lasts 9 minutes. Video can be found here.

Saturday Dec 1 7:00pm After securing an evening meal for all members of the family be purchasing food from 2 separate locations we return home.


Sunday Dec 2 830am: we leave for Sunday school and Church services. Sermon is good and is on the topic of "waiting" I think to myself that pastor must read my blog.

Sunday Dec 2 11:00 am: Pizza at the Church. The annual Pizza and Caroling party. the pizza is much less burnt this year than in past years. We are all grateful.

Sunday Dec 2 12:30pm: Caroling begins. 4 stops, 2 hours and 45 Christmas songs later we head for home.

Sunday Dec 2 3:30pm We arrive home. The weekly fight over homework begins.

Sunday Dec 2 8:00 pm: Homework is finished, baths are taken and it is the end of the Fun Filled Family Holiday Weekend.