Thanksgiving / Christmas in Minnesota :)

Ok first of all, travelling into work today was a NIGHTMARE! A few of the tube lines were suspended so it took me THREE HOURS to get into work. fun fun

Now, back to my MINNESOTA TRIP REVIEW!

I got in late last Wednesday night. The flight was GREAT because I got 2 seats to myself, so I could sort of stretch out to sleep. I also saw some good movies that I hadn't seen before: The Lake House and My Super Ex Girlfriend (both were good).

Thursday morning we headed up to my aunt and uncle's house for the Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration (we decided to celebrate early this year) with my Dad's side of the family. Unfortunely my parent's digital camera died just as the first picture was about to be taken though!!! So if anyone has some pictures (Joni??? Jani??? Julie???) please email them to me!!!! The get together was GREAT fun - so so nice to see everyone!

Friday morning we went next door to my aunt and uncle's house for the Christmas celebration with my Mom's side of the family. We had a FANTATSIC brunch specially prepared by my auntie Joni. Then we opened presents.

Me with my sisters (from left): Megan, Me, Mariah & Mandie

Me opening Christmas pressies

Family portrait - the girls & my brother Marcus.

This picture is a bit dark -me with my cousin Jenny (isn't she gorgeous!)

Mariah cleaning up the TONS of used wrapping paper
cousin Johnny with his new tattoo

After brunch we went home for a nap and relaxation time (we watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Christmas Story). Also we opened our family gifts (Mom, Dad, me, my sisters & brother).

At 4pm we went back next door for our annual family tradition - we made Swedish Potato Sausage.

Joni and I with our leinekugal honeyveiss beer

(don't know why I wore an apron since all I did was chop 2 onions!)

Mom's cousin Brian and brother Marcus grinding some potatoes & onions

Mariah and Marcus mixing the spice into the 30 pounds of meat!

Grandma Sis and her sister-in-law Shirley

The casings for the sausages (cow intestines - ewwwww)

Me & Mom (I'm wearing the necklace Grandma gave me for XMas - gorgeous!)

John and Dad trying to get the first casing on

Sausage links!

And the collection of nutcrackers!

Overall it was a great trip, lots of fun, great to see people and LOTS of great memories:)