The Bauer Family

It is the day after Christmas and all through the house, not a creature is sturring.  Well, except for me.  So it is a good time to get caught up on things here.  The Christmas stress is done and now preparing for the New Year.  This was our fourth Christmas together.  It is hard to believe, but time does fly when you are having fun! Thursday was our Christmas Party at Church.  We had a short praise and worship, some readings by Scott and music by Jay Jay, Sam, Dean and Scott.  This was followed by dinner and some fun games. The boys performing. Scottt reading the  story of our Savior's birth. Dawn Singing Pastor Reuben excited about his presents! Michelle and Faye. We started our Christmas Saturday with A church service at the Burt Methodist Church.  A very short, but very nice service by Pastor Schroeder.  This is the first time I have heard him deliver a message.  He is very good.  After the service we went to ...

So we have survived another pre Christmas weekend and I did not get in ride.  Been close to three weeks off the bike.  I must say it is a nice and deserved break.  On Saturday Michelle worked in the house and did Christmas baking.  I cut, split, hauled and stacked two truck loads of firewood.  This included driving 8 foot t-posts into the ground.  I was really tired and sore after this work which led to me not riding on Sunday.  Saturday evening we went to Michelle's mom and dad's house and celebrated her sister Dawn's birthday (41).  On Sunday I took the boy's to church then we brought Mackenzie back with us while Dawn and Reuben went on a birthday date.  Michelle did more Christmas treat work and I worked on the tandem in the basement and watched the Lions.  What a game they had! Only six days left till Christmas!  I am going to try and sneak a short ride in on Christmas Eve morning.  We will be at Dawn's that evening for...

With everything going on we have had very little time for our own pursuits.  Our free time has consisted of trying to keep the house clean and cutting wood to get us through the winter.  This saturday should be the last day of wood cutting for this winter.  Anything cut after this will be for next year.  Keeping the house clean is very difficult.  The boys seem to only help in messing it up.  We are not sure who will be hosting Christmas Eve.  However, we figure it will be us.  My parents will then be over on Christmas and we will go to Michelle's parents on Christmas evening.  We will again be having our traditional Panda House feast. There has been no time for any riding.  Looking at riding home from church on Sunday.  While looking at the MMBA website this morning I found a new trail in Owosso called Hopkins Lake.  It was built this year to good reviews.  When the ground freezes I will have to make my way out there ...

Sunday evening was the Wise Kids Christmas program at the Burt Methodist Church.  Michelle's mom Sherry directs this program annually.  Very nice traditional Christmas program with a few hiccups. Santa stopped by. Sherry opening the program. MacKenzie an angel? Brendan with a King and Wiseman. It truly was the greatest story ever told by our children!  

Today was the annual Christmas Party that is held at Michelle's aunt's house.  Aunt Sandy and Uncle Don are wonderful hosts and put on a great party.  The meal was all the tacos you can eat (beef, chix, shrimp, etc.), chicken strips and a variety of salads and drink.  It is the one time of the year that I will have a couple of Corona's with lime, very good. This party is really about the kids and Michelle's mom and her sisters getting together.  Unfortunately two of the sisters (Cindy and Sue) were not able to make it.  It was the first year with out their mother (GG/Arlene), she was missed by all of us.  Earlier this year she lost her battle with cancer.  We all had fun just as GG would have wanted. OOPS!  Almost forgot mom's birthday.  December 7, 2011.  60 years old.  Buffet at Don and Sandie's. Reuben, Uncle Don, Michelle, Dad and Mom.  Opening presents! We had great time with our family. Tomorrow brings another...

The week after Thanksgiving we had our first snow fall, some would call it a storm, of the season.  The boys had their first snow day ans were very excited.  It did not last long and as it was melting Michelle and Brendan took advantage of the packing snow. As you can see Brendan had a great time with this and got to enjoy the snow before it was all gone.  The weather has been warm for this time of year with the exception of the last couple of days.  It is going to warm up a bit this week and should be normal Christmas and the week leading up to it.