Christmas in WI '13

Christmas in WI.  We have an open house policy.  All family and friends are welcome anytime.  We live in WI so it's highly unlikely folks will actually really visit but the offer is always there!  This year we reiterated the offer for Christmas to all our family.  Of course we thought a few might come but certainly did not really think EVERYONE would be able to make it!!  Well, we were proved very wrong.

It was fairly late the game when the Berg's shared they had purchased tickets.  They were the last to commit. Bringing the total to 15, a dog and 2 G-Pigs.  They came in waves starting on 12/12/13 ....  Valerie was supposed to be the first to arrive.  But, I got a call from her after she got into a accident while navigating the mountains of CO.  She was physically fine but certainly pretty shaken up.  Now she has a new adventure ahead of her.  She was told the damage was at several thousands of dollars and they could not even start until after the holidays.  So, with her new rental she was back on the road only a day or two behind schedule.

Emme and Nono drove from NC via MA after visiting my Auntie Kathy and Uncle Harvey.  They arrived safely but just a few cars back from a terrible accident in the Chicago area.  Emme managed to avoid arrest after snapping a few photos of the "crime scene" and they were on their way after a several hour delay.

Next to arrive was Chris, Yoli and the newest official member of the family, Manny!  We are now 10 in the house.  Not too bad!!  We had the bathroom in the basement remodeled just in time for all our guests.

We did not tell Acacia that the Berg's were coming.  That was a surprise!!  Although, I think even the dog slipped up a few times with something like ... "when are the Berg's arriving???"  Which was followed quickly by someone giving that person the hairy eyeball and saying ... "Remember!!!!  They CAN'T come!!!"

Step One:  Find a tree and make sure Santa knows we were all good!

Step Two:  Document we were all here at the same time!

Step Three:  Let the fun begin!!!

We had such a great time with everyone!  We skied (down hill and cross country), snowboarded, sledded and ice skated, bowled, shopped, ate, played in the snow (lots of snow), saw tons of Christmas lights and saw the Harlem Globetrotters!!  For New Years Eve we went to the Monona Terrace for the New Years Eve celebration that consisted of stilt walkers, juggles, jumpers and a killer magic show!!  Then back to our house to pop the cork and poppers along with a boss silly string war!!!

Slowly folks started to leave.  The last to pull out of the drive way was Emme and Nono on 1/3/14.  And they ended up pulling out at least three times as every time they left, I called them back as they forgot one thing or another.

Since the final departure I have found random items that belong to folks but so far no unwrapped presents or things folks really need!!  What a blessing to be able to have all my family in one place for Christmas.  We were able to provide the white Christmas they all wanted as well.  They all left just in the nick of time as our temps dropped into the negative numbers causing the kids to miss school and extend their Christmas break. Oh darn ....

Click here to see ALL the photos from Christmas 2013 in WI!!
Click here to see a time laps video of Christmas day!

Here are some videos!!!

Skiing with Auntie Valerie!

Manny getting a fat lip!!