Merry Christmas

Christmas was low key for the Maske household. We all woke Thrusday morning, but did not rush to open presents, instead opted for coffee and breakfast. Oh how the times have changed.

We finally got all rounded up in the living room and started opening gifts. We all got great items. Some of those things include: Mom- new pants, slippers, kitchen items and a crockpot. Dad-socks, cork screw, sardines, and jeans. Amber - boot warmer, carhart bibs, purse, stocking hat, and socks. Josh - T-shirt, digital picture frame, gum, ties, and slippers. Me - digital picture frame, season 1 of lost, socks, slippers and a chia pet.

Once the presents were open, it was time to get the meal started. Dad of course dissappered. The rest of us prepared the green bean casserole, scalloped corn, crescent rolls, sweat potatoes, relish tray, mashed potatoes, and spiral ham. So once it was all prepared and cooked, we sat down to a nice meal. It was finished off with a pecan pie or a frozen mint chocolate pie.

We had a good time, a nice holiday, as always it goes by way to fast.

Stocking Stuffer

So with Christmas Eve winding down, and waiting for the McIlrath family to join us. I decided it was time to play a new game, "Stocking Stuffer" It was a spin on all kinds of games. After changing the rules, we decided that to play the game, you either draw an item from the stocking or you could take an item that another person has. The stocking was filled with an range of items. From candy to print cartridges, candles, pens, cheese danish's, you name it, it was in there. We had a great time.

We finished up the game, and no sooner the McIlrath's drove in. So we chatted and exchanged gifts. Then it was time for the annual photoshoot. I was wearing the world's most holidazzling sweater.

Update...

Well I have gotten behind in the blogging. The holidays really take it all out of you. Well to update you, Tuesday night was the midnight shopping extravaganza, however the weather was not the best, so Amber and McKenz did not join in on the fun. It was just me, Josh and Dad. We managed to hit all the stores before they closed. Dad's new favorite store is Gordman's, but he is mad at me cuz i would only let him stay a half an hour. Josh and I got home about 3 am, I stayed up to wrap all my gifts, and hit the bed at 5 am. Dad got home around 4.

On Christmas eve I slept to about 9:30, Josh was already outside shoveling snow. We then packed every inch of the car with gifts, food and the dogs and headed out to Plato. Josh decorated the Christmas tree, I made 2 batches of Chex Mix, we cleaned some veggies, made a pecan pie, and the potato soup. By the time we got around to taking a break, Amber and Josh showed up and the party was on.

In the meantime Dad had been putting together some beverages in the crock pot, while making oyster stew. One crockpot had a mulled cider/cranberry/orange concoction and the other was an alcoholic rendition of wassail, it was "good" er strong.

We all sat around drinkin and eating, it was 8:30 before we knew it, so we decided to open a gift or two.

Cold Enough?

Right now my computer says it is zero degrees. That is without the windchill. At least it is supposed to warm up into the 20's, which also means snow. It is Christmas so not going to complain, and I don't mind it. What I think is funny though is the people who do complain. We live in Iowa, it's December, it's winter, what do you expect to happen? Move to the equator I guess.

So do you all have your holiday shopping completed? I sure don't. This year as every year, the holidays have really snuck up from no where. At least I have the 23rd to shop, that is the midnight shopping extravaganza. For those of you who do not know, it has been tradition for many years now, ten years maybe, to go shopping for all hours on the 23rd. My dad, sister, Josh and McKenzie all pile into the car and hit all the shops before they close, usually starting with the one that closes first. Wal-Mart is open 24 hours, so is Hy-vee. The night usually ends after midnight. Last year was a snow storm, we were the only people out, so parking was no problem.

A little note about the picture with this post. We got the tree up and decorated, just before midnight one night. Being the night owl I am, I thought well we better take a picture while we have time. So I got the camera tripod out, and got things into place. Josh grabbed both dogs by the collar, then I pushed the automatic timer on the camera and raced in front of the tree, and grabbed Halen and then the flash went off. We went through this process before we had something decent, that is why Kona is licking and looking up. It was quite the photo shoot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is mom's 39th birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Or it's the most freakin cold time of the year. That's right it is cold here in Iowa, I think the high yesterday was 9 degrees or something like that, and of course that doens't include the windchill. Also, right now it is snowing, possibility of 6 inches. Good Times here!!

Josh and I continue to be busy. He continues to referee basketball games and work the Iowa events. However this week he gets a break from the Iowa events as it is finals week.

Have you all finished your holiday shopping? Or have you started? I don't even have a good start, it seems every year Christmas sneeks up so fast. I also say every year I need to start Christmas shopping in July, then I would be done.

Last Friday night was the Iowa/ISU basketball game. Iowa won the game, and clenched the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk trophy. Halftime was filled with many events. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Shawn Johnson were there to help raise money and donate to Iowa flood relief. They ponied up $50,000 and Governor Chet Culver was on hand to receive the money. I of course took many pictures and have shared some with you on here. Members of the football team were also honored for their academic achievement.

Sunday we had the strangest weather. It was about 55 degrees at noon and at 10 pm the temp had fallen to about 7 degrees. In that time we had some ice, rain, sleet and snow. Josh also helped out that day with a youth basketball tournament.

i'm back

I am back home, that is all i really have to say. The roads weren't all that bad. There was one excpetion, the road linking between Dyersville and Monticello was ice covered, but i managed to keep er at 30 mph.

Home Sweet Motel

So I am stuck in Guttenberg. The weather here is a dandy. We had some ice, then it sleeted, then some snow, and i think now there is ice outside, or that is what it sounds like. The forecast then calls for 4-8 inches of snow. Who knows when it will be safe to drive home. I am a winter weather driving weinie anyway.

I guess I just complain cuz I want to go home. It has been a long time since I have been there. I didn't even bring a dog with me this trip. Josh is at home holding down the fort. I think they were getting rain the last I knew.

Hope all are safe and don't have to drive or go anywhere in this weather.

Freezin in the Gutt

So that brings me up to date. I am currently in Guttenberg with mom. It is the opening of deer hunting here in Iowa, or hunting with a rifle. I am not too sure. the motel fills up with hunters every year. I will be here at least til Monday.

I came up early to scoop all the snow that they had up here. Not a great time! I still have to go find some sand. It also continues to snow tonight, so tomorrow I will be working on the shoveling as well.

Josh is at home with the dogs. There was a men's bball game tonight. Iowa won against Bryant. Then tomorrow is a wrestling meet. It is the Iowa/ISU meet, they are trying to pack Carver to get the most people in the arena record. Then Sunday is a women's bball game, they play ISU. (tickets anyone?)

Home-made noodles

Thursday night was the annual Springdale Yuletide Buffet. We all met up at the shop (Mom, Dad, Josh, Jolene and I) and trucked out to Springdale for the annual eat til you puke, or eat til your pants don't fit.

We arrived earlier that normal, and walked right in and down to the buffet. This is unusual, usually you have to wait like 20 minutes because it is so busy. Apparently they were down 150 tickets this year.

We proceed to the buffet, I manage to pile my plate high with homemade chicken and noodles and mashed potatoes, I threw on some green beans, you know to get some veggies. All of us eat too much, all the food is soo tasty and home-made. We even try all kinds of desserts.

After the supper, dad pulls up mom's car. For those of you who don't know, not many people are priveldged enough to drive my mom's car. So my dad takes us back towards WB. Well, of course, we take the most scenic route possible back to the shop. We had to go look at the lights around town. There weren't really that many, but we made it work. We had a good time

Also thanks to Jolene, who purchased 3 jars of home-made celery dill pickles, oh so yummy!!!!

Snow

Well as you all know Iowa did not leave Boston with a win. It was a close one though. Also the corwd at BC was pathetic, there were less at that game than I think the Iowa women get. They play in an arena that also houses a hockey rink.

Josh and I had a flight back to Iowa at 6 on Wednesday, the day after the game. We were able to eat some lunch with a friend. A former intern with Iowa, now works at BC, so we were able to catch up with him. We also managed to fill our time by drinking more Dunkin Donuts coffee and another trip to Fenway park, this time to shop a bit. We were also able to eat some lunch with a friend. A former intern with Iowa, now works at BC, so we were able to catch up with him.

The weather back home was not looking good, it was snowing. We weren't sure if we would be able to get home. However things seem to work out and we landed in the frozen tundra at about 11:30. It took forever for us to get out of Atlanta (our connecting flight) so that made us a little late into Moline.

We were greeted by a car that was snow and ice covered. Josh being the smart one his is, didn't have the ice scraper in his car. So we heated the car up to try to melt the ice from the inside, and I remembered I had an expired gift card,so I began scrapping the ice from the windows. This was a big weather change for us, it was 60 in Boston on Monday. We finally got all the ice and snow off, or enough to drive and we made our way home. We counted 15 cars and trucks in the ditch on the way home, those were the only ones we could see.

We rolled into our little home at about 1:30 am, only to wake up and go to work the next day. It was a good trip. Not sure when we will get out there again, if ever. Who knows, the red sox will be calling josh's name soon enough.

As for pictures to my blogs, well you will just have to wait. Josh's computer didn't like my camera card while we were in Boston. So I am getting them loaded slowly.

GO HAWKS

So tonight is the big matchup with Boston College. If you get ESPN U, look for me on tv. GO Hawks!!

Josh and I are making our way to Fenway Park to see if we can get in on a tour, what is a trip to Boston without a trip to Fenway "Pahk"

Also my mother is now criticizing my typing on this blog...i am not a gret typist people!!! there will be mistakes! and i guess i can't spell becuase...who knew