Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and it's back to the rat race!

Lane, Paige, & cousin Brooklynne in the aftermath of Christmas at Grandma Jeannie's.

Did everyone have a wonderful Christmas? I hope so! We were able to spend lots of time with extended family, and the kids had a great time playing with cousins.

We were able to travel to my sister's for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Jen & I went to Winfield to visit our grandmother and see our aunt & uncle. Grandmother lives in an assisted living facility, and she looked great! It had been over a year since I'd seen her. Last time I was there, she still lived at home. Anyway, this move has been a blessing, not just for grandmother,

but for my mom, her brother, and her sister.

New Year's Day we went to the Cosmosphere (which Jason loved), toured the museum, and then watched The Polar Express on Imax. That was fun! I had never seen the movie, only read the book. Jen & I discussed the fact that the entire movie was based on a picture book, so how could the movie possibly be a feature-length film? Well, it was, and it was a good one! Two thumbs up!

Well, this brings me to the end of my Christmas vacation from school. I love the time at home with my family, my coffee, and my books. What did I accomplish during my 13 days (weekends included!) of vacation time? Hmmmm....we fit in all of the time with family and friends, Jason and the kids went snowmobiling, we moved cattle, I did a lot of laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.

HOWEVER, I did manage to read several books! So, in no particular order, I finished The Kite Runner, The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, My Sister's Keeper and Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult, a couple of books for junior high students, and The Princess Bride. Out of all of those, I would recommend The Princess Bride! This was about my third time through, and it gets better every time I read it. If you've never read the book, go to your local library today and check it out. Then watch the movie (it's good, too). What's next on my reading list? A book about King Arthur and then two books my sister loaned me. Can't wait!!

Well, reality is calling to me. I need to go get ready for inservice. But my coffee....my books.....my coffee....my books.....