Our Time North Through CCC

First off... have you ever been given the wonderfully amazing gift of Hot-Chocolate-on-a-Stick?

AMAZING!

Moving on... today I have pictures from out trip up to the "real" winter zone of MN and WI for our Christmas break.

It was a good trip - complete with 5 kids and a dog. Our one-month-old only squawked for us to stop once! 

True story!

The first in the order of events was saying good-bye to dear Grandma Anna.

It was a wonderful gathering of family and we were very glad that our kids were able to witness it all.

Next, was a visit to see our youngest (for at least a day or so more! :D) godchild, Zelie!

It was such a joy to again spend some time with her wonderful family. 

We definitely have to plan a return trip during our time in MN, because the kids got along spectacularly!

We also visited another godchild on our route to Onamia, but failed to take a single picture! 

Sorry, Michael! The kids and I DEFINITELY need to come see you as well, and bring the camera!

As mentioned, these visits were enroute to our beloved Cross Christmas Camp (CCC) with my mom's family.

As usual, it was a warm, cheery, and joyful time with so many wonderful family members. 

This year was a year to remember with the addition of CCC t-shirts! 

Here are some (AKA: many) pictures to show them off.

Thanks, Ruth, for the use of your great pics!

Love, Us.

Pre-Christmas Happenings

Hello out there!

Is there anyone still checking this blog after my horribly long absence?! 

Sorry.

It far too often takes me too long to get life back into a good order.

I am back, though, and hopefully for good. (Or, at least until our next move. Ha!)

So, for your viewing pleasure today, I am looking back in time to all of our little and big Advent happenings at Castellum Librandi.

Enjoy!

T had her first guitar lessons from dad.

With our move less than a month away, I had a blow-out sale at "The Lady's Got Books" and had WAY too much work getting all of my shipments out over a week's time!

I got a hair cut... and obviously didn't dye my whites, as you can see. 

I made Belgian Cookies for Joe's cohorts at the office.

Saint Nicholas left presents in our shoes and Mary and Joseph kept on getting lost on their way to the stable.

Lots of Evangeline snuggles were had.

We started having family Mexican Train tournaments and keeping score. (Mom is currently in the lead!)

We attended Joe's award ceremony at the JAG office.
Sorry, but it got super blurry when I made it any bigger. :(

And, of far more importance than all of these little things, on December 11th my dear Grandma Anna passed away.

I was inspired upon her beautiful death to share these words on Facebook:

  

My Grandma Anna. Farm wife. Mother of 10. Grandmother to... too many for me to count right now. Wonderful hugger. She had a powerful and meaningful grip when she held your hand. She was unwilling to take an indirect answer. She wanted to know what you REALLY were thinking and feeling. She cared. Always had a cookie or candy for the little ones. You could easily find a Rosary laying around her home. She was magnetic. She could always be found out and around the community... having coffee with the ladies, playing cards at the Center, volunteering at the hospital, closing down the Church's pancake breakfast... until she broke her hip in a fall. Then life got quieter and slower, which wasn't easy on her. However, she embraced it and clung to the time she had with family in her home. A little over a year ago she started to weaken and was placed on Hospice. She wanted more than anything to not be a burden to others, and to simply go see Jesus. God had other plans, though. She had to give up this one last desire... and be served by the children and loved ones whom she had loved on for so many years. In the end, she was completely dependent on those who had depended on her for everything. At the age of 97, she was given the gift of a peaceful, quiet death surrounded by family and prayer, without even the ability to grasp at life. Everything else had been taken away. We love you, Grandma, and we are so glad that you are finally with Him whom you have desired for so long. We miss you.

Love, Us.

Our Best Family Pics from Christmas Break

Joe and the rest of us will part ways this weekend for several months due to training. 

Once the kids and I get settled in our temporary new housing, you should soon see catching up here. 

For now, though, here are the pics that I printed off to send with Joe at training. 

Enjoy!

Love, Us.