Another CRAZY Christmas......but that's the NORM for us!!!!

Well I survived another.......and once again........I loved CHRISTMAS!!! Here are a couple of pictures Danica took at the Wizniuk Christmas......hope you like them!!!
Baba(89) & Gido(91) with Santa(their Grandson)


Gido with his siblings(Auntie Mary never came until the next day, so she isn't in the picture)!


The crew......Meaghan(Dean's girlfriend)was present, but choose not to be in the picture. Judy, Travis, Rhonda, & Quincy were not able to attend due to family illnesses. We missed you!!!!

Had a little detour on my way to Staples.........

Just around the corner from our house..........

My favorite landmark in Camrose.........

chain link fence.......almost a solid mass of hoar frost!

As I was heading west on my way to Staples I noticed a beautiful sunset in the horizon......and decided to head out of town for a few miles to see what I would see..............so glad I did!!!!

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If you are visiting my blog via Betty's 2007 Christmas Letter.......WELCOME!!!
I'm glad you popped in for a visit, hope you come back often, and enjoy what I have to share!!! Note: things on my blog during the Christmas season are pretty hodge podge as I am using it to try and stay on track with my annual tasks!! To visit past posts click on any of the months in the Archive section!


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I will now go from being behind to going backwards!!! I am heading to the farm for a much overdue visit........and although I don't really have time to go, I am going and looking forward to it!!!

Wish me luck.......catching up once I get back!!!

25 topics for CHRISTMAS 2007-topic 11

CHRISTMAS TAG.......from Dolci(I added 3 to make it 25)!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, but mostly paper

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Between the 1st & the 7th of Dec.

4. When do you take the tree down? After Ukr. Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? Great big huge NO.........Daylan(Son)loves it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Dolls

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes

8. Hardest person to buy for? Betty

9. Easiest person to buy for? Natasha & Ashley

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? A salt & pepper shaker dh bought me a Liquidation World!

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? When I get it done........mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Long after I should!

14. Have you ever re-gifted a Christmas present? NO!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oh my........that's a TOUGH one! I am married to a Ukr., and my mil is one of the best cooks I know!!! Traditionally speaking..........Baba's Wheat!

16 . White lights or colored on the tree? Coloured

17. Favorite Christmas song? Hark the Herald!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel.............ALWAYS!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Hopefully....but it wouldn't surprise me if I got stuck half way through!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? A bit of both...mostly Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Lack of sleep!

23. Favorite Christmas Tradition(non-traditional)? Sleeping by the Christmas Tree(with the lights on of course)!

24. What do you miss about past Christmas's? Being at my Grandparents & going to school Christmas concerts!!!

25. Where will you spend Christmas this year? Glendon

Merry Christmas!!

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did a little today.............itty bitty!

A BIG DEAL at Londonderry Mall!

Daylan buys his 1st car.......signing the BILL OF SALE!!!

Brett is appearing like he is pulling the wool over Daylan's eyes by selling him his car, but he's actually giving him a really good deal!!! Pictures of Daylan and his car will arrive tomorrow(once it's daylight)

Regular program being interupted by a little humor! Thanks Lori!!!

and this of course.............is MY favorite!!!

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I will be playing catch up today.........surprise, surprise!!! Will have a good part of my day(late afternoon/early evening)taken up by a quick trip to the city to PICK UP DAYLAN'S NEW(1ST)CAR!!! Well it's not NEW NEW, but it's NEW for him!!!

Picture will follow tomorrow!!! I'm excited!!!

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I'm losing this battle...........FAST!

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it will be hear by the end of the day!!

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11. Call 5 people(maybe more)I haven't been in touch with for a long while, would love to chat with because I won't see them over the holidays! 1st ones that come to mind are Blanche & Peggy! December 10th

I got a start on this topic today......
had a nice chat with Auntie Mae(28.07 minutes)

25 topics for CHRISTMAS 2007-topic 17(Auntie Norma & Betty)

13. Go to Edmonton, and take Auntie Norma & Betty out for a Christmas luncheon as I probably won't see them over the holidays.......can only stretch ones self so far on the 24th & 25th! December 9th

Got this one accomplished last night, ended up being supper not lunch, all that means is we ATE MORE!!!! Had a great visit at Sorrentino’s, we are never shy on conversation! I had my usual LASAGNA, we shared a GREAT chocolate dessert, ended a great evening by spending the night at my Aunt Betty's.........had tea, and visited by her beautiful Christmas tree..........so happy to have #17 on my list COMPLETE!!!

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December 8th

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December 7th

23. Decide on a New Years resolution(a good one)!
I have decided that I am going to do more reading!!! I wish I LOVED TO READ.........but I don't......so I going to have to force myself to be a better reader......wish me luck!!!

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6. Make & send out cards! December 6th

Today's the day!

25 topics for CHRISTMAS 2007-topic 23(baking)

3. Make up my baking list & BAKE! December 3rd

This pile of cook books are the life line to my Christmas baking/treats! Not so much the cookie one, but the other four FOR SURE!!! A funny little story about the APPETIZERS, I miss placed mine(not sure where it went)a few years back, and ever since I have had to call my SIL for the recipes I needed. She would give them to me, I would write them on a piece of paper(not a recipe card), miss place the paper, and next year call her once again for the recipes I needed! This went on for maybe 3-4 years.........this year she bought me a NEW APPETIZERS as a gift...........THANKS LORI!!! Maybe I will still call.............just to chat......LOL!!!

poppy cock
peanut brittle
nuts n' bolts
eatmore bars(Georgette's recipe)
caramel popcorn
spiced nuts
shortbread(Auntie Norma's recipe)

25 topics for CHRISTMAS 2007-topic 21(decorate tree)

5. Decorate the tree! December 5th
Finished most of the tree decorating tonight, will wrap it up tomorrow.......and take a few more pictues! Every year I struggle with my OLD decorations, I see NEW trees everywhere, and think I should scrap all the old stuff, and GO NEW, but I just can't do it!!! I'm sure 95% of the ornaments on are tree are 15+ years old............many are 20+ years!!! I guess the only way I will get to having NEW is by having two trees........but then again, considering I have trouble get one up by the 1st of Decemeber.........why would I even think of doing two..........silly me!!!

P.S. I do love our tree...................even if it's OLD stuff!!!

Poor picture......YELLOW!

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4. MORE TO COME, STAY TUNED!
Favorite ornaments......old & new! December 4th

I think I picked this little music box up for Daylan's 1st Christmas.......love it more and more each year! When you turn the key, the little train goes around!

Auntie Norma bought this one for me ALONG TIME AGO!!

Another one from Auntie Norma, I think it's the 1st of many Christmas ornaments she bought me.......I LOVE THEM ALL!! This one is 30+ years I'm sure!

Here's another favorite........from my Mom!

Dana thinks this one is pretty ugly, but I still like him!!! I ALWAYS put the Christmas oranges in his basket. I received this guy as a gift from a little boy(James)I babysat in Barrhead.

25 topics for CHRISTMAS 2007-topic 24(my grandparents)

2. A memory post of my Grandparents(post is longer than planned) December 2nd

Please don't read it as sad..........it is just the opposite...........thinking of them makes me happy!

I am writing this to tell the world(okay, my small group of readers)how blessed I am to have had 4 GREAT Grandparents...........they were ALL a huge part of my life!!! Most of my readers are well aware of the impact my Grandparents had on my life............if that includes you........I hope you don't mind reading my ramblings once again!!!

One of the reasons I have so many GREAT memories of my Grandparents is that they lived close to each other, and they were friends!! That's pretty sweet for a Grandchild.......I can remember being together with all four of them on MANY occasions.......I LOVE THAT!!!

(I need to check on a few dates, please forgive me if I am off by a day or two on the ones I have mentioned here)

You might wonder what the connection is between my deceased Grandparents & Christmas? It is as such........3 of my 4 Grandparents died very close to Christmas.....my 2 Grandma's in Decemeber and 1 of my Grandpa's in early Jan.!
Grandma Erickson being the first passed away on Dec. 16th, and was buried on Dec. 19th(1992). While she was in the hospital, Grandpa(her husband of 62 years)was also admitted! Although Grandma was not aware of what was happening to Grandpa, poor Grandpa knew exactly what was happening with Grandma...........he so wanted to be by her side, but couldn't! The day after Grandma passed away, Grandpa was taken to Edmonton by ambulance. (as I write this, I think back and wonder how my Mom, and my 5 Aunts survived this sad time) Grandma's funeral was planned and carried out without Grandpa's input. Because he could not attend, a video was taken with the intention of family members watching it with him once he got back home. Long story short he was operated on Dec. 26th with the surgery proving he was full of cancer and had a very short time to live.......he died on Jan. 9th, 3 weeks after Grandma..........never getting to see the video of Grandma's funeral. Actually I'm not sure if anyone has ever watch it??? This is such a bitter sweet story........very hard on the family, but a perfect ending to their LONG HAPPY LIFE together!!!! They were and still are one of the best matches I know of..........side by side, day by day, for many many years.........they weren't just married............the were IN LOVE, ALWAYS!

Today is 4 years since Grandma Knapp passed away........sometimes it seems like yesterday, and other times if feels like a life time ago!!! Even today.....it is rare that a day passes and I don't think about her, so many things in my day to day life remind me of her!
So many times when I think of my Grandparents, Grandma Knapp takes on the better part of my thoughts. I often feel guilty about this because she was one of four......but somehow she comsumes most of my Grandparent thoughts!!! I have come to the conclusion that this happens for a couple of reasons......
1. She lived the longest, and therefore I spent the most time with her.......well into my adult life!
2. She was widowed for many years, and therefore I spent more one on one time with her!!!
3. Because my Grandpa & Grandma Erickson were together for so long, and apart for only 3 weeks, most of their time was with each other! This of course is a good thing, but there are not as many individual memories of them!!!!
4. She had a way about her, that drew people to her! MANY people thought the world of her, she was popular with the young and old, and everyone in between.........including me, of course!!!

Lastly, and of course not least was Grandpa Knapp. He has been gone the longest......and although his death wasn't as close to Christmas as the others, he was VERY ILL the Christmas before he died(in Oct.). It was decided by himself, and family members that he would travel to Mexico for some non traditional cancer treatments, and time was of the essence as he was VERY ILL. I can remember discussions about him leaving before Christmas, but he wouldn't have any part of it. Not sure what the reasoning was, but it was apparent, it was more important to him to be home for Christmas with family, than it was to be in Mexico for cancer treatments. Seems to me his departure was on Boxing day or very shortly after???
I have such good memories of Grandpa Knapp! He was the one that always made me feel special, never seemed to be annoyed with me, always had a smile for me, and he would go out of his way to do things for kids......I LOVE THAT!!

There..........now I feel all warm & fuzzy(as they say)........hope you are as lucky as I am, and have or had the BEST Grandparents in the world!!!

GOOD NIGHT!

25 topics for CHRISTMAS 2007-topic 25(photo shoot)

1. Do a photo shoot with N & A (actually a 2nd) December 1st

The reason for the 2nd is........goofy girls resulting in VERY FEW, if any good pictures!!

Yes, I know.........like Baba would say......kids are kids, and she is SO RIGHT!!! It was there day for goofing..........and they WERE!!!

Here are the results of the 1st one.........the pictures may not depict the crazy time we had...........but trust me when I say, "it was CRAZY"!!!

We even brought out the HEAVY ARTILLERY........ice cream........and even that didn't work!!!!

note: since the 1st shoot the girls have both had a hair cut......stay tuned to see if you like the NEW DOOS!!!

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

yep.............I'm already behind, it's now Dec. 6th!

In this post I will list the 25 things(in no particular order)I want to post on my blog before Christmas.......wish me luck getting them done on time!!!

1. Do a photo shoot with N & A (started)
2. COMPLETE
A memory post of my Grandparents
3. Make up my baking list & BAKE! (started)
4. Favorite ornaments......old & new! Hopefully I can get this one done today!
5. Decorate the tree! Will hopefully get this done today!
6. Make & send out cards! Hopefully I can get a few cards made today!
7. Make a trip to the farm......for a couple of days.........BEFORE the Christmas trip!
8. Have the girls over for a cookie making day!
9. Host a SU customer appreciation open house!
10. Post some past Christmas photos!
11. Call 5 people(maybe more)I haven't been in touch with for a long while, would love to chat with because I won't see them over the holidays! 1st ones that come to mind are Blanche & Peggy!
12. Take Natasha & Ashley to a Christmas movie, or have a movie night(afternoon)at Grandma's house!
13. COMPLETE
Go to Edmonton, and take Auntie Norma & Betty out for a Christmas luncheon as I probably won't see them over the holidays.......can only stretch ones self so far on the 24th & 25th!
14. If I get to #7 I would like to do a day trip with Mom to visit my Aunt's....and maybe a few others along the way!
15. Get organized for the W's Christmas on the 26th.....we are the hosting family!!!
16. SHOP!
17. Clean my neglected house!
18. Do some painting around the house.....who am I kidding?
19. Add to the 2007 blog entries, the posts I never did complete for the 2006 Christmas.
20. Visit a few of my favorite blogs and leave MERRY CHRISTMAS messages!
21. Donate to the food bank!
22. Go to Rimbey!
23. Decide on a New Years resolution(a good one)!
24. Catch up on blog entries I have wanted to do for the past few months.....yes, I'm behind!
25. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my favorite holiday of the year.......the music, lights, food, smells, excitement, the wonder of it all! Let's make it a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Other sites in the Dominican!

Although Rachel & Bryce's wedding is what brought us to the Dominican we did soak up some other Dominican fun........enjoy!!!

Well what can I say...........the wool was pulled over my eyes.........AND GOOD!!! The best part of the trip for me was the HUGE surprise that come knockin' at our hotel room door..........DARYL & LORI(my brother and SIL)!!!!

We did most everything together, and they really added to the fun of the trip! I got to go scuba diving with Daryl(although I didn't do so good this time around, couldn't breath very well, and got sorta sea sick when we came up(never puked though)).

The other big highlight was going white water rafting.........it all seems like a dream!!! I am so glad I didn't fall out of that raft.............it was one of those things that you are shakin' in your boots the whole time you are doing it, but once it's over you are glad you did it.........if that makes any sense!?!?

The REAL sites & sounds of the Dominican are VERY similar to Mexico.......some not EASY to see!!!!

If I could have only got a full/front picture of this little guy......less than two, begging, in bare feet on ground that I would have a hard time walking on.........hard to see!!!

children begging & catching crayfish with Daryl!

traffic jam

mandarin oranges

banana's.........of course!

wild poinsettias

and a few of Lori's photos!