Hultgren Wisconsin Dells Weekend

Mike and I had a great time in the Dells with Jon, Liz and all of Jon's family. My snow pants went to good use as we went snow tubing. We also joined Jon's family for cosmic bowling, laser tag, and a trip to Ho Chunk casino (My first trip to a casino by the way). Mike and I didn't gamble but had fun watching Jon play black jack.

Thanks Hultgren family for a fun time, good food, and lots of laughs.

Snow Pants

Yep it is official I have bought my first pair of snow pants since junior high school. I got a great deal on them. They are for skiing or snowboarding so they were originally $135 but I got them for $40! Then Mike and I stop by TJ Maxx to look for snow pants for him but I found a ski jacket for $25 (original price $165)! Yes it is “such a deal.”
Why am I buying these things you ask? Well Mike and I are going up to the Wisconsin Dells to Cascade Mountain with our friends Jon and Liz. Jon’s family has gone up there for many years now for a tubing weekend. Liz and I might have Mike teach us to snowboard too while we are there. Mike and I are really looking forward to some winter fun in the snow.

Speaking of Mike it was his birthday on Tuesday. Happy Birthday honey! I was able to take the day off and we had a good day of hanging out together. Then my in-laws took us out to dinner at the Gandy Dancer. It is a very nice restaurant and we had a good time together. Mike was able to have lobster, crab, and mussels.

Mike and I have also begun to look for houses and townhouses. We hope to find something in Ann Arbor so that I can ride the bus. Yes I am one of those silly people who enjoy riding the bus.
I think that is all the fun news for now!

Snow, Christmas, and New Years Pics

The snow storm the Friday before Christmas

Evan

Jacob



Nancy (mom), Lindsay, and Kathy

Mason, Ben, Abby, and Jacob

Eric and Kevin playing "Rock Band"

Jon playing "Rock Band"

Andrea

Mike's self portrait

Lindsay and Liz after the Winter Classic

Christmas and New Years

Happy New Year Everyone!

2008 was an interesting year for Mike and I. We decided to move back to Michigan after I received a new job offer. I am still enjoying my chaplain position at the University of Michigan Hospital System. Mike continues to work at finding a job here in Michigan. Mike has been awesome. This is the third move where he has not had a job when we have moved. I love you honey!!

We made the trek to New York for Christmas. We had a great time with family and I got to reconnect with an old friend from high school. The funny part was Caitlin and I lived in the Central Florida area for a year and only reconnected after I moved back to Michigan.

I have the best nephews and niece. Mike and I had a great time with Jacob and Evan. Mike put together train tracks and we danced to songs in movies. Mason and Ben have gotten so TALL and I can't believe they are thirteen! It was great to send time with them and Abby as well. Abby is as beautiful as ever.

During the Johnville Christmas my sister Kathy and I had a boxing match by playing Wii sports. If you are on facebook Sandi Johnville posted a great picture of us. We had a lot of fun playing games with the whole family and even convinced my mom to play.

New Years was spent in Chicago with our good friends Jon and Liz. This has been eight years in the making and we were so thankful to be there. In the spirit of gaming we played Rock Band almost all night and had a great time. Jon went to the Winter Classic (Go Red Wings!!!) and we watched from the warmth of Jon and Liz's house.

I hope this new year will be the start of many good things. I hope to run at least two 5Ks in the spring. In doing some research I have found a few that may be fun. I will keep you updated. I also hope that Mike and I will buy a house.

We will see what 2009 has in store for us.

May you be blessed in this new year!

Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The whole Bona family got up early on Thanksgiving Day and went to the Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade. My nephew Drew had a great time. We had grand stand seats and great weather. Bobbie, Sue, Mike, and I had a team effort to make dinner when we returned home. It was very yummy!

Here are some pictures of the parade.

Drew

Detroit Institute of Art

Monet to Dali

A few weekends ago Mike, Bobbie, John, and I went to the Detroit Institute of Art to see the exhibit "Monet to Dali Modern Masters from the Cleveland Museum of Art." It was amazing! When we walked into the exhibit we received what I would describe as a 1980s cellphone. From this "cellphone" we were able to listen to commentary on various artists.

Here are two pieces that were are favorites...

Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890)

The Poplars at Saint-Rémy (Les peupliers sur la Colline), 1889

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My Favorite

Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989). The Dream (Le rêve), 1931

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Mike's Favorite

First Flurries and thoughts...

I walked outside this morning and there was a light coating of snow on the Banana (our yellow Aveo). I was so excited! I got to wear a hat to work and everything! Unfortunately I was running late so I couldn't go grab my camera and take a picture. Sorry everyone in FL... winter pics coming soon. There is something so magical about the first snow of the season. It seems as if the world holds its breath in anticipatory reverence waiting to be wrapped in the comforting silence of snow...

This weekend Bobbie and I went to a craft show hosted by the Ann Arbor Fiber Guild. There were some really nice bags, scarves, hats, yarn, etc. I got two skeins of yarn and both were hand dyed and handspun. The only problem is I tried to wind one of them into a ball and it is now one big knot!!! It better make a beautiful scarf!! :)

For those of you that wondered my first time on-call was good. I didn't have too many calls to the hospital. I did have the honor to be present at the most beautiful death. I know that sounds odd but it was. This sacred time was filled with special music, stories, tears, laughter, and most of all love. It reminded me of the song from the musical Rent "Seasons of Love."

Here are some of the lyrics that always hit me.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Moments so dear

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?

In Daylights - In Sunsets

In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee

In Inches - In Miles

In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

How Do You Measure A Year In The Life?

How About Love?

Measure In Love

Seasons of Love.

How Do You Measure The Life

Of A Woman Or A Man

In Truth That She Learned

Or In Times That He Cried

In Bridges He Burned

Or The Way That She Died

Oh you got to you got to remember the love,

You know that love is a gift from up above

Share love, give love, spread love

Measure, measure your life in love.

May YOU measure YOUR life in LOVE