I guess the holidays are officially over

It had to happen. I knew that January 3rd would come faster than expected and it did. It was such a good break from the routine. I loved having Wayne around for almost two weeks. Even if he wasn't home that entire time (and I would not expect him to be), he was in and out and we had time to just relax and visit and watch some tv and hang out. It was heavenly. Wayne left to go back to Cincinnati around 1:30 this afternoon. He and Julie had a little caravan heading back, since they both had their cars. It was sunny and dry here when they left, so I hope they have safe and easy travels back to Ohio. Sally is around for another 10 days or so. She'll be in Champaign for about 6 weeks and then back home to student teach, right up until graduation in May. Hard to believe.

On New Year's Day, we went to Jenny and Jay's for a short visit with fam. It was just a couple of hours (we had to get back by 6:45 because Sally had a babysitting job next door) but it was fun to see everyone again. Jenny made some crockpot chili that was delicious and easy. I can't wait to make it.

This is a cute picture of my mom and her grandchildren and her great-granddaughters.
From left to right, Abbie, Arne, Nina, Beth (Arne's wife), Sally, Wayne, Kjell and Marmar. As always, we miss Dane. I know that goes without saying, but I need to say it anyway.

Julie, Marmar and Wayne


Beth and Sally had the exact same color of nail polish.

Jenny and Jay with Nina

Yesterday, Wayne and Julie went into the city. Wayne was going to the Illinois-Gonzaga game at the United Center with one of his fraternity brothers, Corey and some other friends. (Arne and Kjell were going, too, with their dad, Bruce.) Sally was around most of the day and then went to Matt's house for dinner. I had to run an errand in the Evergreen Park area late in the afternoon, so Jack came with me. We finished around 4:45. I had a brilliant suggestion that we go to Mass while we were out in that area of the city. Jack consulted his iphone app with mass locations and times. We found a 5 pm mass at Christ the King and it was delightful. Afterward we went to dinner at Franconello's. We had been there a few times with Jack's folks and really liked it. It was such a pleasant evening.

Today we spent the morning taking down the Christmas tree and other decorations. Jack and I have an agreement that we don't take down the outside lights for another week. It helps in the transition :) Getting ready to head back to work tomorrow. I am thankful that I have a job and it's a job that I love, working with people I love to be with.