Friday-Sunday, December 21-23

Friday - Cold and windy with snow showers this morning.    I got a haircut, Mark took Liam to school and then ran some errands.   I finished packing and then got a mani-pedi.    We left for our weekend of family Christmas celebrations.    Since it was lunch time, we stopped at Green Gables by Lake Bloomington for some good ole cheeseburgers and cheese balls.   Hmmmm....so yummy!

Stopped to visit my cousin Jim at the Mendota Lutheran Home.    Had a nice visit and hung up his latest Christmas cards. 

Cousins - Pat and Jim

Also got to see an old grade and high school classmate (Bugsie) 

Bugsie or Bugs

Then to Bob and Linda's.   Their son Jason is home for the holidays from Boston.    We picked up my Aunt Marian from Stonecroft and what a nice evening.    My cousin Dick and Mary stopped by.   We had some awesome soup and appetizers.    Dick and Mary went home after supper and rest of us played 6-handed euchre.   So much fun with the girls beating the guys 2 out of 2.   Chocolate/peppermint dessert finished off the evening!    What a special "Mini Dinges" Christmas

Mary, Jason, Bob, Pat, Dick, Linda

Aunt Marian (90 years young)

Saturday - dreary day but after breakfast, Mark and I were on our way to Dixon for the big Chamberlain Christmas - several gathered at the Holloway Center (connected to St. Pat's) for lunch and then played games.    The family just kept trickling in all afternoon.    We all went to 4:30 Mass and then had a bountiful feast.....100+ strong  with so many babies and toddlers.    The next generation took over some of the sibling duties from years past.    Big gift exchange followed dinner and then, the party broke up with some going home and most back to the hotel.    We played lots  more games, drank wine, nibbled on more goodies and made a memorable Christmas 2018 memory.

Sunday - Breakfast at the hotel with more visiting and then hugs and good byes as everyone went their merry way home with all the last-minute preparations for Christmas.    We drove to Princeton and had a nice visit with Annette's parents (Dave and Judy) at their lovely home in the country.    Walked around outdoors and saw some of the 58 new evergreen (different kinds) trees they planted this fall.     Back to Bloomngton, stopping at Menards and then "home" in our little suite for a few more days to start packing up our stuff and get ready for Florida....But Christmas Eve and Day coming up and looking forward to celebrating with the Campbell's.

Sweet Maeve wearing Santa hat and Reindeer antlers!

So sorry to hear this morning that Dr. Jim Zimmerman who was Ryan's pediatrician, passed away from glioblastoma (brain cancer).   He was such a wonderful man and doctor with such a gentle manner.    Dr. Z was only 71.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dad.   He would've been 101 today!!!

Many happy memories of celebrating with you over the years...