Misc 2014 Christmas pics

Best Husband Ever! February 14, 2015

I have the best husband ever. Usually we just get each other cards for Valentine's Day but this year Michael made it a little more special - just because.  On February 10th he surprised me with flowers so that I could enjoy them at work.  On February 13th he took me out to eat at Augusta's in Oxford, IA. I had a filet mignon steak. It literally was the best steak I have ever had. It was smoked and then grilled medium-rare. It was tender, juicy and so flavorful. Like Michael said, I would be okay with that being my very last meal.  :-)

Arnold kids playing with Christmas gifts - December 27, 2014

Just some fun videos... Coming soon... 

Clemen Family Pics - December 26, 2014

Once again Mom's family is blessed to get EVERYONE together for a family picture.

St. Francis Xavier Basilica - Dyersville, IA

If you haven't seen the St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, IA At Christmas you have not experienced the beauty, embodiment and true meaning of Christmas. These pictures will not do it justice - go see it. Check out the surrounding towns too. They are your church/bar/post office rural towns that are slowly disappearing. Beautiful churches also. 

Shoefly Pie - December 25, 2014

Since Christmas plans with the families were all messed up this year because of family members being sick, Michael and I spent Christmas Day at our house. Michael made his family's Pennsylvania Dutch pie that they have for the holidays since we weren't going to be with either family.  The pie is kind of like a molasses pie. Although this wasn't the family's original recipe, the one that Michael made still tasted awesome!

Christmas Candy Making - Dec 2014

This is the second year I've made Christmas candy. Last year it was chocolate dipped mints and dipped orange fondant. This year I added chocolate cherries. The first batches I made "disappeared" before Christmas so I had to make another whole batch - of EACH!

It's a Totally "Tuba"ler Christmas - 12/2014

Before Christmas break starts at the University of Iowa, the tuba players come together on the Pentacrest in front of the Old Capitol building to play Christmas carols. 

These are pictures taken from my office!

Christmas lights at the Graham's 2014

Here's what the outside of our house looks like this year with all of the lights. It's not lights to the extent of Clark on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation but we like it.  

And he is hard to see, but Carver likes to help decorate too. Gotta check out what is in all of these cool containers!

 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Our first year of having a real Christmas tree. Beautiful frasier fir that we got from the Optimists Club here in IC. (Sorry Becky, no tree farm)

Making cookies at Thanksgiving - Nov. 29, 2014

Some photos and video of decorating cookies with the family. The kids were doing a great job of decorating until they realized hey could eat the frosting and decorations!

Running, and Jumping and Playing - Nov. 29, 2014

Thanksgiving 2014 consisted of the nieces and nephew showing us all the energy they have. They tire me out just watching them!

The Wedding We've Been Anticipating - Nov. 8, 2014

Leah's Wedding... Couldn't wait for this one!  Bart did the mass.  I was honored to be an usherette - which was a LOT more work than I thought it was going to be! I got to see SO many people. Some that I hadn't seen in over 10 years!  There were people that I had met through Leah over the years- her high school classmates, work friends and Holy Name friends. 

We need to have parties like this way more often!

Madison up and back to see the Bishops - Nov. 1, 2014

Found out on Facebook that Chad and Jenny Bishop were moving to Portland,OR. November 1st was going to be their last day in Madison.  So what do I do?  Of course I head up there to see them.  I met Schwake and Tambo at Coopers Tavern on the Square and then surprised Chad and Jenny at The Old Fashioned for lunch.  Had some awesome cheese curds and food then went to Paul's Bar for a drink. Then we went for some coffee at a coffee bar. Finally, it was getting time for me to leave so it was a group selfie and then I was headed back home. 

Arnold Kluesner Halloween - Oct. 23, 2014

Here are the Arnold-Kluesner clan in their Halloween costumes.  Was a chilly Halloween night but the candy is worth it right?  😝

Michael and I had about 40 trick-or-treaters but an 80 piece pack of candy. Good on my lips, not on my hips!  

Warburg Homecoming - Oct. 18, 2014

Michael and I headed back to Waverly, IA to celebrate the homecoming of the Warrburg Knights. We walked around campus, went to the football game, went to the post party and saw many of Michael's good friends from college. It was a perfect day.