We love being back home in Minnesota for Thanksgiving and Christmas! This year is much colder than I like, but the snow on the ground is beautiful.

We always have a lot of medical appointments. Our visit started with going along to the VA for Dave’s dad. It was good to meet some of his medical team and hear their assessments first hand. Basically, he is in pretty good shape for someone close to 93.

I had what I hope is last reconstruction surgery a week before Thanksgiving and it went smoothly. I just have to lay low for a month. The rest of the month included semi and annual visits to oncologist, dentist, optometrist and a few others. I have new glasses and Dave is now wearing them too, only for driving.

We also spent time with all of our children grandchildren, siblings and friends.

Dave and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at the farm for his family. Because of weather conditions, not everyone was able to join us. We had a great time, even with the small group.

Some of the other highlights of our trip home were Kody and Allison’s church program, Parker’s first orchestra concert and Lucas’s preschool program. After Parker’s concert, we wandered through the holiday lights at Sibley Park in Mankato. We also helped Jim celebrate his 70th birthday and attended an Ugly Sweater party at Deb and Mike Baron’s.

Below are some pictures of our visit home, beginning with pictures of Boo. We are so excited to have her begin living with us as soon as we get back to Mississippi.

The last 10 days of our stay will be super busy. We will go to the farm for Christmas with some of the Petersons. Jo and her ex-husband have a special trip early in the morning on the 23rd (this will be updated after the 23rd). Dave will return to the farm that day for the full Peterson celebration and pick me up about 1 AM on the 25th. Later that day, we travel to Blooming Prairie for Christmas with my daughters.

We gathered at the farm on December 22, with most of the Peterson family.

We went to Lucas’s preach holiday program. It was themed Hooville and Lucas made a cute reindeer.

December 23 found me flying to Seattle. Nate and Kate got married!!!! It was a short visit but I am so happy for them and glad I decide to go. Our flight (I traveled with my ex-husband) was at 6:30 AM on the 23rd and returned bat 11PM on the 24th.

While I was in Seattle, Dave spent Christmas Eve with his family.

Christmas Day was with my daughters in Bloomington Prairie.

We had one last short outing in St Peter to distribute a couple of gifts on the 26th, then back to Rebecca’s house for an early night. We left at 4 AM the next morning.