The Froehle's: Bishop Family Christmas

We hosted the Bishop Family Christmas on Saturday! The day was a little chaotic--we started our day off by cross country skiing at Hyland park in Bloomington! We ran into my cousin Tim while we were there, so that was fun! Bishop did a great job skiing and I could tell he had improved from the first time we went out. Nora was completely out of sorts. Her ears had started draining on Dec. 23rd (and she had a fever that night). I called the ENT and we started drops in both ears (even the right ear with no tube). It was apparent by Saturday that she was uncomfortable and not herself, so after skiing I had Luke take her to urgent care. She was a complete mess there--she threw a temper tantrum on the floor of the minute clinic and was inconsolable! Her ears looked terrible and the Dr gave her an antibiotic. Luke gave her her first dose on the way home and by the time they got home she was back to her sweet self. When Nora got home she ran up to Aunt Sandy and gave her the biggest hug--she held on for a long time and didn't want to let go. When she finally did she got a chair and moved it right up next to Aunt Sandy so she could sit close to her. Thanks so much for being there, Uncle Bob and Aunt Sandy!!

In the meantime, Bishop and I were getting the house ready for the party and my aunt and uncle showed up. They were so helpful! Sandy helped me vacuum and Bob and Bishop shoveled the snow in the street (I think it was something for them to do to stay busy!) ;) Meanwhile, in Owatonna, my dad was in the ER for the 2nd time in a week. Last weekend he got influenza A and passed out and cut his head--he recovered in time for Christmas Eve, but woke up on Saturday with pain in his back. The pain got worse and he went in.......the pain was caused by 2 broken ribs, which must have cracked when he fell! My parents are such troopers--that after all that they came up to the party a couple hours late! My dad was still in a lot of pain, but everyone was happy to see them both!

The party was a lot of fun, despite the rocky start. The girls got Frozen (Elsa) dresses and dolls from Great Grandpa Ray and Great Grandma Darlene and they absolutely LOVED them! They wore the dresses all night and their dresses and dolls sang "Let it Go!" They were 2 very happy girls! Bishop got remote controlled motorcycles that he raced with Uncle Ryan (along with anyone else who would play). They were (and still are) a big hit! GG Ray and GG Darlene hit the jackpot with gifts this year!

Everyone chips in to help by bringing appetizers, drinks and food for the dinner. This year I kept it simple and made chili and had our friend Raul make his famous mushroom bisque--the mushroom bisque was a huge hit and there was hardly any left over! After dinner we played our annual Christmas gift exchange (dirty bingo?), which is always entertaining and fun! I am so thankful for our time together with family, especially at the Holidays! It gets to be a busy time and it's fun to have traditions like this to keep getting everyone together!