Monday January 1, 2024. Happy New Year! As I listened to the fireworks last night, which started at 7 p.m. and went on til way after midnight I have to be grateful that Blue and Juno have moved from this area and were enjoying a peaceful New Year’s Eve in Minnesota. I talked to the new owners to let them know how the dogs reacted to fireworks and she reassured me that no one in their area shoots off fireworks on New Year’s Eve. How wonderful is that!
Our family has all gone back to their own homes and it’s a quiet New Year’s Day here. We had all thirteen of us here for a week, making 3 meals a day, so it was a lot of cooking, cleaning and starting the process all over again just as you thought you had finished. 😂 Luckily everyone pitches in, the kids are all great together and I’m so grateful they all want to be here. The fact that the alpacas were not here only seems to bother me, everyone else still thinks it is absolute magic to be here. We made sushi (our Christmas tradition) we had a lobster fest, a fondue fest, we went sledding, played games and with no screen time for kids or adults conversations were non stop all day. Each of our 3 children has brought a wonderful spouse to the family and the grandkids are icing on the cake. Our next addition due in April 2024 will make our total an even 14! I have had a crib and a high chair in the house since before we had any grandkids and they have now been well used by all. I truly have so much to be grateful for. People have said to me “Linda, you have the family everyone wants!” Well let me tell you it didn’t come easily. It was a dream I’ve worked at and prioritized for decades, but here we are and it was all worth it.
2024 will be full of new beginnings for us. I hope you will enjoy good health, finding joy in every day things and as always thanks for checking in!
Photos of the day: Tractor rides for all grandkids by Farmer Ed (AKA Dimpa, our word for Grandpa) This is our one and only grand daughter and because she is now 9 she got to drive the tractor by herself after a lesson from Dimpa! Note the lack of snow!! 
Lobster fest! Yes we can fit all 13 of us around the table. 
And here’s the whole gang. Did I mention we had 3 big dogs here all week too? Can you find Banjo in this photo? hehee, he was in heaven with all the kids here all week. 
Beautiful sunrise last week, photo by the gentle boy.
Wishing you all the best in 2024!
Gigi Caito
Wishing you the happiest of the New Year, full of love and adventure!
Linda
Thanks Gigi! I wish the same for you!
Linda R Kulp
I enjoy your emails. That sounded like a great family get together!! Have a great year!
Linda
Thanks Linda! Happy New Year to you!
Brenda Sorensen
What a lovely family! And what a delicious dinner you prepared! Happy New Year must take on a special meaning for you as you move forward like the good soldier you are! God bless you and your family. Looks like Banjo is smitten!
Linda
Thanks Brenda. Banjo had the best week ever. Poor pup is now back to living with 2 oldsters who don’t run and play nearly enough for him! ha
Lana
What a great looking family! And the lobsters got there without incident this time. Yum. Your granddaughter is so cute with that look of serious concentration driving the tractor. Have a good year ahead!
Linda
Thanks Lana. LOL, yes, you remember last year when bad weather caused those little red devils to arrive a week late! Stinky!
I hope you have a good year ahead as well!