A Kata Christmas

I think that I need to spread out the grandchild pics for one of two reasons.  One, there are those of you who are waiting to see more photos, so I am stringing you along.  Two, there are those of you who think one or two are suffice.  Hence, I am spacing them out.  Today's grandchild photo shoot is on Christmas morning.

There was, of course, much hurrying and scurrying around to get to church by 10:30 with 6 adults and one 5 week old baby.  We arrived in plenty of time to choose a good baby location.  In fact, the organist was playing carols before Mass.  It was so peaceful there celebrating Christmas with family, sleeping baby, and the sun shining in the windows.  I thanked God for all my blessings.  After Mass we went home to presents and pictures.

Kata wore a smashing red dress (additional white sweater in church). 

But, like most models, being beautiful and posing is so tiring. 

 What a Christmas!

Nature Has a Sense of Humor

This is the fence near the end of our drive.  I don't know how the snow piled on the post got to be in this position, but it is comical.  I risked 3 minutes in 8 degrees below zero to capture this photo - all for the sake of art.

Playing Indoors

This is getting ridiculous.  At least at minus 26, we didn't have the state low.  All the schools are closed...so Case and I went to town this AM and joined a gym.  The owner Mike had us try out all the equipment and set them up for our sizes and strengths.  We knew about 50% of the folks who came in.  The weather will be breaking SOME time but we felt as though we were growing to the couch so this is a good decision for us.  In Illinois I went to the gym since the fall before my 40th birthday.  I decided that I needed to embrace the birthday and get pumped.  I thought my new active lifestyle wouldn't need a gym.  I was wrong. 

Finally - a Day Out

Upon arising the temperature was 17 degrees.  Refusing to check the windchill, I had a quick breakfast and set out to snowshoe for the first time this season.  It was wonderful, quiet.  The sun came out making interesting shadows of all the trees.  I started to follow what I thought were deer tracks (hard to tell in 18 inches on the level).  The tracks went under a very low tree that had fallen over but got caught up in another tree and didn't make it to the ground.  So...not deer tracks but fox tracks.  I thought about going under.  I remember always being one of the last 3 in limbo at parties in school but thought better of it and went around. 

We enjoy Foxy so much that I had an artist friend Katie George paint a picture of a fox especially for me.  She named it Fox and Frog.  Two years ago she allowed me to dig up lupines from her overflowing garden.  She put those in as well. 

Taken in May after we hung the picture.

Beautiful Scene

This is Morgan Road that we drive 2 miles from our house to the State Highway.  It is gorgeous with the sun filtering through the trees.  The side roads stay like this until spring thaw although the main roads are cleared to the surface and dry off during the winter.  The problem right now is the temperature.  Hayward, again, had the state low of minus 26.  Also, a 20 to 25 mph wind.  Listening to the radio, I just heard that a cold front is coming through.  What? Pardon me, what do we have now?  Reportedly, it will be minus 35 to 40 below zero.  Well, I have my stack of reading and many sewing projects that I want to do without interruption.  With the weather at this rate, I will sew a quilt large enough to cover the State of Wisconsin by March. 

Lady Canes

While checking out at the main grocery in town, I noticed that all of the baggers were girls in Canes jerseys.  Hayward Schools use Hurricanes as their logo - but most folks and jerseys say just  'canes.  The girls' hockey team was raising money for all their traveling.  They won first for the entire state of Wisconsin last season.   All the girls were slim and blond - didn't look like the usual hockey team.  I put in a few dollars and will be watching the season. 

Grandchild Arrival

Our first Grandchild is a girl.  Her name is Katarzyna Caroline - Kata for short.  Six pounds, 7 ounces and 19 inches long.  She was born on the evening of November 15.  She is a healthy baby which is the most important thing.  Baby's mother Carrie is recovering well and my son Tad seems to be enjoying his new fatherhood status.  We spent several days with them over Thanksgiving.  There is nothing as wonderful as holding a newborn baby.