Christmas Eve At The Tauers

Thursday night (Christmas Eve) we always spend with Nicole's family. Her Grandma Karen always joins us and her uncle Paul and his family were also there. She has 2 other uncles (they are twins John and Joe). John and his family live in Texas and we always talk to them on Christmas Eve and Joe was a "chicken liver" this year as he didn't make it from Richfield because of the storm. Just kidding Joe. We know Jess wears the pants and you went to Wheaton to be with her family.
We had a wide array of appetizers this year and it was great. The traditional family sit down dinner is also nice, but I like the variety with all the appetizers. We had buffalo wings, meatballs, Potato Leek soup, cream cheese won tons, taco salad, pickeled herring, and I'm sure a few other items that I missed. We had a blast watching the kids open their presents and we received many nice gifts from George and Michelle, thanks so much everyone!

Hattie and Mommie

Hattie was trying hard to stay up for presents

Nicole got a "weekend bag" from her parents. I just don't see her fitting all the clothes she packs in that one bag!

Zander with his favorite gift of all from his mommy! Look at all those cars!

Christmas Updates

Nicole and I headed to Springfield on Wednesday night. We wanted to get there safe ahead of the storm. It turned out to be a good plan as the storm was much heavier in that part of the state. While we were there from Wed night to Friday morning they had at least 12 inches and probably closer to 18 inches. We laid low on Wednesday night. On Thursday the markets were open until noon so I was tied down with that, but Nicole went to the grocery store to help her dad. It was very busy at the grocery store over the holidays with all the snow. I think people were "stocking up" just in case they got really snowed in. We got the Saab stuck twice in my mom's driveway over the two days we were home. The low clearance and bald tires were a terrible combination. We need to get the snow tires on apparently.
On Thursday night we spent Christmas Eve at Nicole's parents. All her sisters and niece and nephew were there which was nice. The Tauer's were nice enough to invite my brother Andrew and my mom over to celebrate with their family. We all had a great evening. On Friday we fretted about trying to get back to Hudson or if we were going to wait out the storm in Springfield and then make our way to Hudson on Saturday. We decided that we wanted to get back on Friday so we slowly worked our way home. The worst stretch was from Nicollet to St. Peter but after that the roads were very good.
My brother Andrew and I shoveled out the driveway when we got home. It was a much different storm in the metro than it was in SW MN. The snow up here was heavy and wet while at home it was much lighter and more plentiful. Friday night we had a traditional Christmas dinner, Chinese! It was about the only restaurant open in the Twin Cities on Christmas Day so Andy, Nicole, Mom, and I ate sesame chicken and egg rolls for Christmas. We also went to a movie at the Hudson Theatre. It was a great night, we laughed a lot at the movie. We saw It's Complicated with Merle Streep and Alec Baldwin, funny!
On Saturday we had an armoire delivered so Andy and I spent the morning getting that situated in the bedroom while Nicole and mom started preparing the feast for Saturday evening.
People started arriving at 4:30 and we had appetizers. Nicole made Potato Leek soup, a new recipe she has and it is great. She also had her won tons (we are tired of won tons and taking a break from them). We also drank some good wine and talked for a few hours before dinner. It was good to catch up with everyone. Dinner went well, all the food was great, too much of it as usual, but that's good for me as I get leftovers for the week. After dinner we had a nice prayer where each of the kids lit a candle and said a prayer for our Dad. This Christmas was tough for everyone, especially mom. We kept her busy and being together sure helps us all get through the tough times. We love you mom!
Mom got a nice surprise for Christmas this year. We presented her with a cruise option of choice so she has to decide where she wants to go. I think all the kids are going to make the cruise except my sister Shelly and her family. They are traveling too much this year to fit in another week. They are going to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii so I don't think they'll cruise with us, but we should have the rest of the family available. It is going to be great! Mom, let's do the Caribbean, the one Ryan hasn't done yet! Not sure if that is Western or Eastern.
All the nieces and nephews had nice gifts and we enjoyed a nice evening together.
Merry Christmas everyone!

My family
In front my 3 brothers from left to right, Ryan (34), Andrew (21), Chad (43)
In back my sister Shelly (41), Mom (50 and holding) and me (31)

All the nieces with Andrew and Ethan
Clockwise Chandler (14 Stanford Sweatshirt), Ethan (6), Morgan (7), Lauren (10), Carlyn (10), Andrew in the middle

Weekend Update

We had a busy weekend. On Friday after work we headed to Detroit Lakes to get my braces tightened. It has been almost 2 months and to move to the next level (which is GETTING THEM OFF) I need to get regular tightenings. We are going again in January and then maybe just 1 more time after that if the "Good Doctor" thinks they look good. He is very happy with the bottom teeth, still working on the top teeth.
So we arrived in DL on Friday night about 8:30. Ryan and I went to the office for about 30 minutes and the work was done. I know I keep saying this, but it is true, but I seriously feel no pain and we watch TV and chat and it is quite relaxing. Not too many people find the dentist chair relaxing, but for me it is.
We had a full day planned back home on Saturday so we got up and played with Hattie for about an hour and then we were on the road back to Hudson. The Ritchie's had a full weekend planned as Grandma and Grandpa were coming up to watch Hattie while Ryan and Emily went to their company Christmas Party.
Nicole and I stopped Room and Board on our way home and found one more piece of furniture that we have been shopping for and that is a media console for our bedroom. Our TV in our bedroom has been sitting on an ottoman since we moved home in September and it looks pretty "ghetto". So we finally found a deal at Room and Board and we should have it this Saturday unless the winter storm delays the delivery.
After Room and Board we met Jeb in Woodbury for a wine tasting at Cellars (a wine shop). They had their Top 8 Wines of 2009 so we got to taste them all. We were very impressed with 2 wines and 1 was pretty good.
Saturday night we were invited to a Christmas party at Scott and Jeri Nelson's, friends of ours in the development. Scott and Jeri are from St. James so we have that small town connection. They are the nicest people and Scott and I have played golf together for 5 years now. It was also made public that night that Jeb and Kaylan are expecting their 1st baby! It gave us another reason to celebrate (excluding Kaylan) who is stuck with sparkling wine for the next 9 months. I think her actual due date is the 1st weekend of August or the last weekend in July, right around our big golf tournament in Troy Burne. Congratulations Jeb and Kaylan!
On Sunday Nicole and I spent the day cleaning up around the house. Nicole also made a Barbera Roast with mashed potatoes. This is the menu we are thinking about for Christmas on the 26th. I think it is great but that will ultimately be up to her. We are going to do a few appetizers and a nice dinner paired with some good California wines.

Happy Holidays

As we get into the holiday week I wanted to get our holiday wishes out to everyone. We look forward to seeing you all at Christmas. We are headed to Springfield on Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon, depending on the weather. It looks like a potential winter storm coming mid-week so if that is the case we will leave after work on Wednesday rather than fight the storm on Christmas Eve day. It will depend on Nicole's schedule, I know she is scheduled to be in Hastings on Wednesday. Christmas Eve we will spend with the Tauer's and look forward to Hattie's 2nd Christmas, but her 1st Christmas where she will be excited about gifts. Last year at 2.5 months she didn't seem to like what we gave her. It is always fun to see our 3 year old nephew Zander with all his gifts too.
On Christmas Day, my mother is hosting her side of the family (The Will Christmas). So I'm sure we'll be busy at her house, and then later that day Nicole and I are headed home to prepare for another Christmas we are hosting on Saturday the 26th. This will be my immediate family, 3 brothers and their families and my sister and her family. In total 15 adults/kids. We haven't hosted in 5 years so it is certainly our turn. My sister has hosted 3 in a row I think so it is time to mix it up. We just hope the weather is decent enough and safe enough for everyone to travel.
So from Nicole and I we wish you all a Happy Holiday and be safe in your travels.

It's Been A While

We've been busy lately and I haven't had much to say. We went to Springfield for Thanksgiving and spent time with both families. Since December started we have been doing seminars 2 days/week which has demanded a lot of my time. When I am home on the "other" days I am usually pretty tired so Nicole and I have just been sticking around home. We are cooking more and more trying new things and continue to find wine to stock up the cellar. It is a fun process to go through. We got our first shipment from Napa Valley this week, 3 bottles of Reserve Cabernet from Rubicon Estate, 2006 release. This was our favorite vineyard that we visited a month ago and we will get 5 shipments/year from them.
This weekend was a busy one. Nicole had the day off on Friday so she made Christmas cookies all day so we have that taken care of. On Saturday we did 90% of our Christmas shopping. The malls were so busy it was quite frustrating, but we did get to eat some sushi at Crave in Edina. On Saturday night I met with two clients and their wives for dinner. We ate at Murray's downtown and it was a pretty good time. We then went to The Shout House where one of my clients daughters plays piano and sings. She was very good, I would be so nervous to do that. We had fun but stayed out too late.
Sunday we put up the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree farm where we go in Hudson is now for sale and their inventory is getting low as they are not replanting trees. We found a nice Fraser and got it decorated today. It feels a little more like Christmas now.
This week we have our last seminar on Tuesday until January when we have a few more scheduled. Nicole has recipe club on Monday night and then on Wednesday she is going to a knitting class in Stillwater. She is back into knitting making hats for our friends The Affeldts who just had a newborn baby girl and also for Hattie Georgina.
We are looking forward to the Christmas holiday and look forward to seeing you all.
Be safe in your travels!