Christmas Day 2015

It's fun to prepare a big meal and have family around the table to enjoy conversation and food. We served turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, home made rolls, rice raspberry salad, pretzel strawberry salad, and of course Elizabeth's pies. Pecan, pumpkin, Apple, and custard. Knefla soup for Christmas Eve. We missed our oldest daughter and her family, but they were a little bit busy this winter with a newborn and a 2 year old. We're glad they were with family close by o enjoy the Christmas festivities. Jason is visiting with us for a couple of weeks before going back to Lisbon and work at the elementary school lunch room.

Winter 2015

December we were excited to meet Cullen, Kristin and Blair's baby boy, and spend some time with Zane. A fun and busy week! Shortly after getting home, Laura, Aaron, Ruger, Dale, Chelsey, Archer, Bridger arrived, with Elizabeth coming early the next morning. Christmas 2015 was already here. 

Late Fall 2015

Birthdays this fall- Chelsey in September, 28, Kristin in October, 35, and Elizabeth in November, 30.

Grandma E turned 97 on Nov 8 th. Roger, Ardis, Sheila, Daryl Justesen and Lawson came to help her celebrate.

We were invited to Roger and Ardis's for Thanksgiving day. The first time in a long time we didn't host Thanksgiving day.

Jason had a birthday on December 5th, and Betty, Will's Mother turned 92 on December 9th.

Late Summer 2015

August visitors were David and Daniel Blasczyk, as they came to visit Betty at the cottages. David stayed with us a couple of weeks. August marks the beginning of another semester. This semester  was one of the most difficult of my teaching career. The curriculum was shortened from 3 semesters to 2, requiring material be covered much faster, and concept based rather than topic based, as we were accustomed to teaching. Many hours were invested in getting acquainted with new books and new class organization. 

When Laura and Elizabeth visited, we did take time to enjoy the water.

Will built a retaining wall in back of the house and we worked at getting ready for winter.

Mid-summer 2015

Ardis planned a special 75th birthday party for Roger. Cousins attended from far and wide convening at the Senior Center in Sheldon July 4th. 

We made a trip to Kristin and Blairs, to see them and their new house. They had just moved in, with the help of Laura and Aaron shortly before we arrived. Blair did a wonderful job on the house, it was a part of the June tour of homes. Beautiful wood work throughout the home. Also mid- summer Jayden from Prescott Valley AZ spent a couple of weeks with us. 

On our way home Chelsey, Dale, Archer and Bridger met us in Billings, for supper and fun for Archer swimming in the motel pool.

Summer 2015

June, Ryan, Mason, and Avan are here, Srephanie joined them for another 2 weeks, during this time, Chelsey and Dale, Archer and little Bridger also spent a few days visiting.

Laura and Aaron went on a vacation, and we had Ruger stay with us for awhile. During this time we did 5 am walks, and were entertained as Ruger hid any and all doggie treats. He was especially happy to have Kobey to play with, I'm not sure the feelings were mutual, though

Spring 2015

This semester went quickly, Every teacher has favorite classes, and I enjoy the topics of Health Promotion 3. The students will soon be graduating, and were studying cardiac, endocrine, and neuro. These are very interesting to teach. Easter was early this year, and spring is staring to be evident with longer days and more sunshine. In April Ryan, Mason, and Avan came for an extended visit.

May 9th was Archers 3rd birthday and Laura's 25th birthday. The semester ended, and the first time in several years, I am not working during the summer!

Early Spring 2015

March-Kristin and Zane flew to Fargo and spent. Couple of weeks with us. The first week Kristin became Gramma's care giver so Will and I could spend a week with Chelsey after Bridger was born in February (19). We got to have some time with Kristin and Zane after we returned from Wyoming. 

Unfortunately, while we were in Wyoming, both Will and I came down with bad colds. After great hand washing, masks, and staying away from Baby Bridger, we did t spread the cold to anyone at Chelsey's house.

The year 2015 in review

Winter. Our little Zane turned 2 years old in January, February was quiet, Elizabeth came home on Valentine's Day weekend. We remember Gramma wondering why it was so dark during our candle light fancy dinner, and telling us to "turn the lights on". There's a time for everything, so enjoy candle light dinners before age 96.

2015

ok, so I guess there's not been a post on this blog for over a year, maybe a 2015 review is in order. Here is a recap of the past year.

I'm very thankful for the visits from Elizabeth-just 4 hours away in Woodbury and Laura and Aaron, 5 hours away in Hazen. So when possible we made the trip to visit them, and they drove over for a weekend every now and then. Always enjoy these visits.

We continued to be primary caregivers for Grandma E, and Will is the person in the Blasczyk family who keeps track of Betty's care as she has moved to the cottages following a broken hip and surgery. She resides in the same room that Grandma and Grandpa Evanson were in during their stay at the Cottages from September 2010-April 2011.

We are often frustrated with our pets, Michiaha (Laura, I never did learn how to spell this name) and Kobey when they test our patience and visit neighbors without us!  We still have Toby and Rio, Will takes carrots, apples, and potato peelings down for treats often. They are the most carefree of all, requiring only a big 1200 pound bale every 2 weeks or so.