Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Christmas in Wisconsin

Phil and I spent Christmas at our cottage in Wisconsin this year, as we do every year. We left Oswego Friday night in dense fog, which really did not clear up until we got north of Wisconsin Dells. We took a detour through the Dells in order to get a gift card for Norb and Karyl at Moosejaw. The plan for Christmas presents this year was to get each other restaurant gift cards. Then we would go as couples to these places and enjoy the fare - giving us the opportunity to branch out a little. So, since we enjoyed Moosejaw when we spent a couple days at the Dells with the younger Beckers, we thought this would be a good place to go as well. I digress ~~~~

Anyways, Saturday dawned cloudy and pretty yucky. But, off we trooped to the Rainbow Casino in Nekoosa for another gift card. Lucky for us we are not gamblers, as we would be poor as church mice. Since the restaurant didn't open until 11a and it was 10:45a, we spent 15 minutes losing $9.98. Yes, we actually came away with a voucher for 2 cents. That is right, 2 cents. Anyways, that was put to good use and included with the gift card for Norb and Karyl as seed money for our trip. We also stopped and got a gift card at Checkers, our favorite burger drive through joint. We got hooked on Checkers in Florida and are thrilled that they have one in Wisconsin Rapids. Once we got our shopping done, we headed back to the cottage to await the snow storm that was marching our way.

The weather forecasters were right - we got 14 inches of snow between Saturday evening and Sunday. It was very beautiful, and lucky for Phil, it was not a wet snow. But, since we had not checked the snow blower out beforehand to make sure it worked, naturally, it was totally dead. Not even a glimmer of hope to get it started. I guess next weekend when we go back, that will be a project for Phil to work on.

Sunday evening we went over to Norb and Karyls and had dinner with them, as well as Jay, Sarah, Bryn and Henry. We had a great time just talking, relaxing, and of course EATING. (What else are the holidays for?).

Since Jay and family headed back to Madison on Monday, Christmas Eve, we spent the day with Norb & Karyl. (Do you get the idea that we spend a lot of time with our best friends when we are up at the cottage?). Anyways, we went to the Lodge in the afternoon, as they have free drinks from 1-3p, and then you are to bring an appetizer. Next, we came back home, quickly opened presents, did a load of laundry to get the smoke out of our clothes, and went to Christmas eve service, then back to N&K's for soup, snacks, presents, and a game of Cranium. There is a new Cranium game out there which we got as a present, so just had to try it. We had a great time.

Christmas Day dawned bright and early. It will forever more be called the day of the Christmas marathon. Breakfast at 9a at our place with N&K, then a drive down to Madison for lunch with Mom and Nell, and then back to the cottage in time to feed the dog, watch the news and then head back over to N&K's. After all, Jen, Shawn, and the twin girls, Mia and Allison were on their way down from St. Cloud, MN. Since we had not seen the twins at all , and had not seen Jen and Shawn since their wedding, this was a MUST DO. When they rolled in about 8:30, would you believe that Karyl and I just had to help get those cute little things out of their carseats. It is hard to remember how little a 9 pound baby is, but to think that they started out at 1 lb, 9 oz, I am sure they must seem huge to their parents. Anyways, we got a chance to hold both girls, eat another meal, play a game of Cranium, (Shawn hates Cranium, but with a little Margarita kicker, he managed to tolerate it!) and more dessert. It was a wild and crazy day, which was just as well, as it helped me get through the day - I really miss the kids on Christmas, but know they must do their own thing too.

Back to Oswego on Wednesday - add to the blog, pay bills, check the mail, work for 2 days, and then we will be off again on Friday for the New Years weekend at the cottage. We are playing this one by ear, as Karyl is having arthroscopic surgery on Friday on her left knee. So, all activities will depend on how she is doing. Jen says they will most likely still be there Friday night and Saturday a.m., so I imagine we will catch up with them again,

Hope you had a great holiday too.

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