December 1, 2012 - The Huskers lost to Wisconsin in one of the most embarrassing games I have ever watched. OK, so that detail I would rather forget!
December 3, 2013 - Jentry and I got our very first experience of Sutton's annual Parade of Lights. At 6:30pm everybody lined the main street and waited for the town lights to go out. The lighted floats made their way down the hill. Much to my surprise there were several entries and some amazing light displays. My favorite was a boy on his bicycle entirely lit up in Christmas lights. Of course, Santa and Mrs Clause made an appearance at the end of the parade which made Jentry's eyes light up. The businesses in town were all open and offered drinks and snacks for everyone to enjoy. I felt like I was in the movie Funny Farm and Sutton had transformed into the charming little town of Redbud. I can't wait until next year!
December 6, 2012 - My father turned 60! Yes, it's true and I can hardly believe it. He really seems much younger to me. May God bless him with many many more.
December 7, 2012 - My mother, sister, niece and nephew were here to help me get ready for the wedding, but that is not exactly what took place. Kelly woke up with a terrible headache and we decided that she needed to see a doctor here in Sutton. After a trip to the clinic here in town, a trip to the Hendersen hospital, a CAT scan, a trip to the Grand Island hospital, a MRI, and a SOS call to my dad and brother-in-law, Kelly finally made it back to my house in time for the wedding rehearsal. She was on some fun pain killers but at least she was able to attend the festivities.
December 8, 2012 - I became Mrs. McKenzie! I married my Nathan, my love, my best friend, my teammate. It was a beautiful, crisp winter day and I could not have asked for anything more. Everything was not perfect but it was just right for us. I will forever cherish the memories of this day.
December 11, 2012 - We flew from Miami to the beautiful St. Lucia. The next seven nights were simply amazing. We laid on the beach, soaked up the sun, swam in clear blue waters, drank fruity drinks, took a tour of the island, went zip lining, ate way too much food and enjoyed time with each other. We even had our very own butler! It was paradise for sure. Nathan planned the entire trip and let me tell you, I am one spoiled girl. I really don't think he should have set the bar quite so high.
December 19, 2012 - We arrived back in Nebraska and boy did it feel good to be back on our own soil. I was beginning to really miss my little girl and was so ready to sleep in my own bed. Unfortunately, mother nature had her own plans and it took us four hours to drive 100 miles. A blizzard had hit the state and we had to give up the drive and stayed in a motel at York. We were so close to home yet so far that it just would not have been safe to try and drive the rest of the 30 miles home. I didn't even have any proper clothing with me to keep me warm if we had gotten stranded. I laughed as I told my sister that my pink polka dotted bikini wouldn't be very helpful in the snow. She replied, "At least it would work to flag down some help."
December 20, 2012 - We finally made it home the next morning. We scooped the front walk, started the first of many loads of laundry and then Nathan went to get Jentry from his parent's house. I was so excited to see her! I felt like a little kid continually watching out the front window to see if they were back yet. It was nice to have some adult time, but Nathan and I were both ready to see her little face and hear her little voice again.
December 23, 2012 - We loaded the truck with presents and headed west to Orleans. I was looking forward to some quality time with my family. The Boses gathered at my Aunt and Uncle's house for supper and some quality entertainment from my cousin Jason and his sister Dani. Nathan said he laughed so hard his gut hurt the next day. We had a great time and it was fun to be back in Grandma Bose's home where so many of my childhood Christmas memories were born. It is hard to believe the next generation of kids are now sitting at Grandma's kitchen table.
December 24, 2012 - My sister woke up with another bad headache. Chad took her to the doctor in Holdrege and mom and I watched the kiddos. Apparently, she went numb and was not coherent, so the doctor referred her on to a Neurologist in Lincoln. I was happy to think she was finally with specialists and told Chad not to leave without getting some answers. She was not able to meet with the Neurologist until the next morning so she settled in for the night. Back in Orleans, Nathan had the wonderful idea of watching a movie with the kids so we all enjoyed the movie Brave and then tucked the little children snug in their beds. Well acutally snug in Grandma's beds.
December 25, 2012 - Mom and I tried to keep the three kids busy with stockings until Nathan and Papa returned from doing cattle chores. We opened gifts the rest of the morning. Isaac's favorite gift was a Nerf gun and Anna was excited about everything even her new pajamas. Jentry wanted to know where the rest of her presents were. I told her she really didn't deserve any toys because she had been so naughty. She thought for a few minutes and said, "Well maybe Santa just ran out of coal."
Thanks to my mother's amazing cooking we had a fabulous Christmas dinner and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Kelly called and said that after yet another MRI the doctors had determined that she was suffering from severe migraines. They gave her some medication and released her from the hospital. We were sad that she will most likely suffer from migraines the rest of her life but so thankful that it was nothing more serious. It was a crazy Christmas, but we thanked God that she was able to come that night.
December 26, 2012 - We bundled up and walk across the street to my sister's home to open even more presents, but this time we were finally all together. Santa had left even more presents for the kids and they had a great time playing with their new toys. After even more wonderful food, Nathan, Jentry and I headed home to Sutton and we were so thankful to finally be home for more than just a few days.
December 28, 2012 - I took Jentry to her dad so that she could celebrate the holidays with the rest of her family. Nathan and I were happy to curl up on the couch and watch a movie by the fire as two, very lucky, newlyweds.
December 30, 2012 - Nathan's parents arrived safely home from their trip to Arizona. We attended church, ate lunch at the Legion and began planning our last Husker football party of the season. Nathan purchased a new TV and surround sound for his new, basement Man Cave and is excited to host his first party. The carpet and the ceiling tiles are not yet in, however we are happy to be close to finishing the project we started in July.
We really don't have any big New Years plans but after a crazy year of moving, relandscaping our yard, finishing our basement, getting married, honeymooning in St. Lucia and celebrating Christmas, I am wishing for a very uneventful 2013. May God continue to bless our family!
