Winter Holiday in Minnesota

Well, we have been in MN since the week before Thanksgiving. There is about a foot of snow on the ground and we are supposed to get another 6 inches overnight tonight (December 29th). Enough already. Don is tired of both shoveling and blowing the snow and we are both ready to head South to warmth and sunshine. However, this has been a great stay as far as the family is concerned. We had everyone home (except Bill who had to work) for Thanksgiving and really enjoyed the time together and all the traditional foods, even Ketcham salad. Then Don and I made a quick trip to Chicago to visit my Mom and Dad and all the Conleys went with us. We are a congenial group travelling together - Bennett and Maryn are seasoned 'road trippers.' Bennett missed "throwing money" at the toll booths as we now use an automatic device but we arrived in time at my folks to hear the church choir from IJP (our old home parish) sing carols for dad. Watching him smile and keep time and then sing with them was truly amazing and the best gift ever. We spent Christmas Eve at St. Hubert's where Don played the Midnight Mass with Brass Choir. Beautiful. Then on Christmas Day we went to Dave and Karins and had a great ham dinner and watched Amelie and Kaia play with their new toys. On the 27 we all gathered again in Chan for "Christmas" together. Lots of fun and again everyone brought snacks and we ate like kings! We got a chance to watch Brennan play in a basketball tournament at Waconia today. Plans are to see some friends for lunch before we head back. Oh, I should note that Karin won the family fantasy football pool - she admits she has little actual knowledge of football but she managed to make great picks and win in her first year in the league! The Ketcham Salad Travelling Trophy will look good in her house this year. Congratulations, Karin! The time here has flown by - we certainly have made the best of our short visit. Looking forward to warmer weather and the friends we have made in AZ but will miss the family times.