Christmas Season

Scooping out the army knives, lead soldiers and cap guns at an Gurnee Antique Center.

S and Great Aunt Dorothy reading Press Here by Herve Tullet.
This is my new favorite children's book.

My niece, N, wanted a purple robe for Christmas and Aunt Gwennie pulled through.
She loved it and wore it for hours. She even liked the monogram.

All the cousins.

J can't get enough Legos.

My mother just rolled over in her grave.
This is what he wanted Santa to bring him, I tried to talk him into the Packers,
but S insisted on the Cowboys.

S loves anything soft, and he got a sheep skin, and lots of stuffed animals.

J had a grand time opening her stocking...
but couldn't understand why we couldn't start painting right away!
(It makes my knees hurt just looking at her sitting like that!)

In front of the tree.Christmas morning, J and S, and the new HUGE stuffed dog.

We toured the Wisconsin Veterans Museum on the Capitol Square.
It was really interesting, the boys loved it.

Boys in front of the Capitol "Holiday" tree.

Editorial note: Come on, if it looks like a Christmas Tree, and smells like a Christmas Tree -
IT"S A CHRISTMAS TREE!
And don't get me started on the alternate Nativity scene.

" ...in a one horse open sleigh." We spent some time at the Mitchell Domes in Milwaukee.
S loves it here, so we try to take him every season.

We also took the boys to The Nutcracker Ballet at the Overture Center. There would be a picture of them, except an usher yelled at me from several rows away about how no pictures could be taken. I wasn't the only one who thought she was rude. People around us thought it was completely over the top. I was mortified and annoyed. The ballet had not started yet, and I was taking a photo of my kids. Geez. People were taking pictures of their groups all over the
theater, but I got busted.

Merry Christmas!

The inside of our Christmas card. Amy Hall Photography.
My favorite part is the horse racing, jockey Mike Smith and Zenyatta... S insisted on it making his list!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

This song was from my Mom's, and mine, favorite Christmas movie, Meet Me in Saint Louis. We always cried during the scene where Judy Garland sings to Margaret O'Brien. Those huge tears streaming down Margaret face, and ours. This Christmas will be bittersweet, the first without my Mother. But her ornaments are in my house and her recipes will be on my table.
I will be surrounded by family, and appreciate the love of my husband and children, and the health we are blessed with.
I ask everyone to take a family picture this Christmas. Don't put it off. No one will care about extra pounds, braces, hair, or stains. Do it know, you may not get another chance.
Merry Christmas, Gwennie

I'm dreaming of a ....

Rose Bowl win. S fell asleep with his Wisconsin Badgers helmet on. Go Badgers! Go Big Red!

A Christmas Carol

We took the boys to the Overture Center for a CTM matinee performance of A Christmas Carol.

We all loved it, and it had a great twist at the end.
If you are looking for something to do with your family, in the Madison area, it's a must.

They look pretty dapper.

A Few Days of Steve

S getting some love from Sam.  They both couldn't be happier.

Guess what he wants for Christmas?!

S took this picture of his new shoes - bucks- which he loves.

He is a very stylish kid.

S with his rainbow art piece.

He lost a front tooth this morning.  He told me he hopes the tooth fairy brings him $5.

"What if the tooth fairy looks at the tooth and goes "Oh, impressive!"

The kid kills me!  But five bucks... dream on.

Christmas Tour of the Governor's Mansion

Yesterday we toured the Wisconsin Executive Residence in Maple Bluff.
It was about 24 degrees with a wind, and we waited about 30 minutes.
I had been to the residence about 30 years ago, but B and the boys had never been.
Now I want to find out how to be a docent here.

Built in 1920 for the Johnson Family, the current residence are Governor Scott
and First Lady Tonette Walker.

J and S on the Mendota Lake side. What a beautiful view, state capitol and all. You might notice white at the shore line... that's ice forming!

I love the iron fence.

One of the urns and lions outside the home.

The garland wraps around the entire staircase.

The Ladies' Room, very feminine.

The dining room had hand painted silk wall coverings,
and a a rug with woodland violets on it, which is the state flower.

China by Lenox, crystal stemware by Mikasa and sterling by Tiffany.

The large tree in the reception room, decorated as a Tribute to the Troops.

The Drawing Room had lots of light and plaid. It was my favorite.
The UW-Whitewater Reed Trio played.

The Library, with a tree decorated in the Glow of Christmas Past, in recognition of the significance of Wisconsin's role in the Civil War. The boys liked this room best... it had weapons.

The end of our tour, the Sun Room. It was very colorful and whimsical.
A delight for children.

There is still time to enjoy a tour.
Wednesday, December 14 from 1-2
Thursday, December 15 from noon to 2
Saturday, December 17 from noon to 2
Although there is no charge to tour the mansion, Governor Walker requests you bring a canned good as a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Christmas Brunch

Dining Room Tree, all decked in German glass ornaments

The party favor, pineapple, with tags from No Fuss Fabulous.

Music Room

Living Room, ready for guests, complete with a roaring fire. One guest said that my house summed me up in a good way. I guess that's better than in a bad way!

Some of the food... twelve ladies came to enjoy the day... all stay at home moms from school. We started at 9 am and the last guest left just before 2. I guess that makes it a success! I think this may become a tradition.

The salad my mom always made.