We have tried to commit to going home to Wisconsin for each Christmas for essentially one reason – Flunker Family Fun Day. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, the entire extended family gets together and plays a monumental football game: the Turkey Bowl and the Ice/Snow Bowl… respectively speaking.
This Christmas we had plenty of plane troubles, but after over-night delays we finally made it into Wisconsin. Grandma and Grandpa were thrilled just to hold their little grandson, delays or not. So we spent the 20th-25th up north in Florence, and then it was finally time for Micah’s first Christmas morning.
Apart from having the baby home, the most exciting news was Emily’s big Christmas present – a brand new puppy! I had to keep it a pretty big secret, and it was sure a surprise! It seemed everyday Emily would ask for a puppy, and I always had to discourage her as to the complications of having a dog, all the while trying to throw her off the scent of her forthcoming Christmas present.
The puppy is a Shorkie (half Shitzu, half Yorkshire Terrier), and he is amazingly cute. Kari helped her name the puppy; he has a little white splotch between his little shoulder blades so he was appropriately named “Tag.” Tag is a very affectionate puppy, and Emily loves him very much.
Then after presents, it was the traditional loading up the car to go to Grandmas (Great Grandma’s now)! So kids, baby, and puppy all loaded up and we headed down to the iconic Snow Bowl. The entire family was gathered around the Christmas table and tree, and we had a wonderful time of fellowship, sharing, presents, and slideshows.
Finally, the 26th came and everyone (except the heavy hitter Uncle Mike) made their way onto the field; the field covered with almost 2 feet of snow. Yes this year’s Snow Bowl had plenty of snow! The teams were very evenly stacked, and the younger cousins are getting much better! It was the BEST time and the funnest-day-of-the-year did not disappoint.
Perhaps the best present we can be thankful for this year is that of family. Its a gift that you never take back to the store, it never goes out of style, and while you might have to make minor repairs from time to time, the gift only gets better with age. I can’t wait for the day that Micah can take the field for Flunker Family Fun Day – that will indeed be a FUN DAY!