Christmas Get-away

This year we spent Christmas without other family members. Since it was just the three of us, Steve and I decided that it might be fun to take off on an adventure. The day after Christmas we packed the car, arranged for a student to watch Sadie, and headed off to Jellystone Park in Warrens, WI.

This is one of Katie's favorite vacation spots; she loves to swim, loves the water slides, loves floating on the "Lazy river", and of course Steve and I enjoy the hot tubs. This year, Katie decided she felt safe trying the huge water slides all by herself - that is she would go down alone, provided I went down first to make sure she would not drown when she came out of the slide into the huge pool. She did well. These little baby steps toward independence are so important!

She and Steve had a great time playing water volleyball and basketball. She really loves hanging out with dad, or "Father" as she has begun to call him. I love the fact that we spent three days creating fond memories which Katie will look back upon and treasure. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

Preparing for St. Nick

I have never seen Katie so excited about Santa's arrival. Of course now that she is reading and writing, she prepared for the holiday by reading every book about Christmas that she could get her hands on, and also by writing in her journal about all the items she hoped to receive. Here is a copy of one of her "letters to Mr. C."

My favorite item - my own cell phone that real. Speaking only as her mother, I have a very difficult time believing that a first grader needs a cell phone. I can only imagine the conversations; many would begin with "knock, knock..." and would also include the singing of songs from High School Musical or Hannah Montana (as if I'm paying for that Cellular One phone bill!). Thankfully, Santa agreed with me and didn't bring her one.

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Speaking of songs, the most requested Christmas songs in the Allard household changed this year as well. This year's favorites: "The 12 days of Christmas" (Katie choreographed dance moves to this one), "The Chipmunks Christmas Song" (I will be singing "I still want a hula-hoop" for weeks to come), and "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer" (Sorry Mimi and Beni). Needless to say, we have had our share of holiday laughs this year.

Katie was indeed very good this year and Santa did bring her most oft requested item:

She is already learning the chords to a Dan Zanes song - we are expecting big things from this little songbird!

The ghost of Christmas past

I know it has been awhile since I last posted, my apologies if you have been checking the blog and finding silence. Our computer bit the dust, and then both Steve and I have been overwhelmed with grading and wrapping up the semester (yadda yadda, blah, blah, blah). It is always at this time of year when I would kill for a 9 - 5 job!

Now that grades are in (as of noon yesterday), I am beginning to get into the Christmas spirit. I found this gem in my photo album and thought my sibs would enjoy it. Just look at those bright smiling faces. Look at how much Mary Kate (bottom left) looks like her daughter Emma. Merry Christmas folks.

Winona from the Bluffs

These photos were taken from the top of the bluffs which run alongside our town. I tried to shoot some sort of panarama so those of you who have not been to visit us yet can get some sense of the town.

Winona has many nicknames, one is the "Island City" and from this vantage point you can see why. Technically, the lakes which are on the south side of the city (bottom of the photos), used to be part of the Mississippi River. The city closed off the channel and created two lovely lakes which residents walk, jog, and cycle around.

As I took these photos, the weather was breezy but warm. Who would know that the temps would soon drop and we would have tons of snow dumped upon us.