Couldn't resist:)

Here's a cute photo of Elle from this week in 1994.

lonely trail

Paul was up very early to play for a holiday breakfast, so I decided to get out my Tecnica boots and hike a little. It was very cold, so I only went a mile in and back. Elle has a busy day with Cardinal Singers performing midday, and then after school she'll join Aliyah and I to take some food over to the Salvation Army pantry. I think there may still be a need for volunteers at the Fairgrounds for Christmas Day distribution. Any locals interested can go to their site. Also offer an extra prayer for our friend Aaron, whose father is ill and not expected to make it to Christmas. This is a difficult time for him.

Wonderful Sunday...

Aliyah was here all day, and we went to church, baked, shopped, played games, and enjoyed each other's company. Elle and Eva shopped also for Mom and Dad gifts, and we had a wonderful visit with friend Kate:) Paul worked all day on projects...fixing lots of leaky things. This is really appreciated because he had a booking until late last night, and was up super early for masses. He will probably crash tonight during the football game. Won't miss anything anyway:P

graduations

Congrats to niece Kylie who graduated this semester from Michigan Tech, and to our friends at Marian who graduate today. Paul and Eva are headed to Marian quite early, to get in a practice before a mass, before the graduation. Actually there are 2 ceremonies...one at 10:15AM and one at 1PM. Elle and I will shop today for our Charlie Brown Christmas tree, which has always been a tradition. We find the scrubbiest little tree and decorate it with very basic homemade ornaments. Afterward we plan to do a little shopping for our animal friends:) Photo today is one of Elle's new slippers. She had fun last night at a Secret Santa party at her friend Jaime's house. This is such a great time of year!

Happy Anniversary to Elise and James!

Busy day off...

We have to do a repair at our own home today:) There's a leaking pipe in the bathroom that has damaged the kitchen ceiling. Ugh. Paul also is busy buying new front tires for his car. The Night of Silence concert last night was very well done, as always, the music staff did an excellent job. It really feels like Christmas is coming now. Elle went out for ice cream with friends later, and we had a late meal of pizza. Eva is busy with finals this week...don't see much of her, although she and Mike got in a little hot tubbing last night. Thanks to Elise for the cute picture of Belle. I sent her a care package today:)

blizzard

Paul tried to make it to the 8 AM mass but found white out conditions on the highway so turned around. Fr. Vic reported just 1 person at that mass. Everyone else stayed home and slept in. Birthday greetings go out to Mike, who turns 23. Eva and a few friends celebrated with dinner out, and an ugly Christmas sweater party last night. They couldn't get home because nothing was plowed, so everyone ended up staying where they were. For those of you who were considering attending Theresa's concert at Horace Mann at 3:30, it has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. We are waiting on word of the Night of Silence concert tonight. Snow is slowing but the blowing and drifting are the problem now. The same concert will be repeated tomorrow night anyway, so it's not a problem. Elle was hoping for a break...an actual entire day without going out:)