What did we do before texting?
I love the fact that the kids will text and I can anticipate their arrival.
Mark, Amy and Caylea were coming home from Manitoba for New Years.  They got in about 10 pm on December 30 and we had a lesser version of Christmas with more gift-opening.  Mark was happy with his two dress shirts and a 4K movie!  He said most of his other presents had been gift cards so he appreciated opening these ones!  Amy appreciated her devotional journal, Christmas socks and a Carcasonne game - to share with Mark, of course! 
We sat up and visited for a while, but everyone was pretty tired.  The next morning, we slept in and then Mark and Amy needed to make a trip to Walmart.  Then Mark helped me spice up the roast beef I was cooking in my "Instant Pot" for my traditional candlelight New Years' Eve supper. We played some games and then I finished up the preparations for Yorkshire pudding and veggies.
We ended up spending the evening at home, watching a movie.  Walter and I made it to 10:30 pm ad left the younger generation to bring in the New Year.  They watched the "Taylor Swift Concert" that was just released on Netflix.  We had nothing to prove and so went to bed!
Our plan for New Years Day was to drive the almost 2 hours to Kisbey and arrive at the Rec Centre for the "ringing of the bells" at noon.  We brought some crackers and cheese to share and about 15 of the townsfolk were there.  A smaller crowd than usual celebrated with a potluck lunch and one of the fellows walked across to the United Church to ring the church bell.  We all went outside in the cold sunshine, and posed for a picture while several brought cowbells or other bells for ringing!  It was a fun way to begin 2019.
Back at Mom and Clarence's home, the men watched the Junior hockey tournament on t.v. while us ladies played a game called 5Straight.  Quite the competitive match:  Caylea and Grandma Charlotte vs. Amy and Cindy.  Well, several rounds later, Amy and I conceded to the champs! 
Mark snooped around to watch; Grandpa Clarence took over Mom's hand at one point so we could begin supper preparations.  We had pork tenderloin, turnips and carrots and a tossed salad.  Mom made Grandma Cecile's creamy rice pudding, which involved Cindy stirring the mixture for 40 minutes to get it to the perfect thickness.  It was worth it!  We enjoyed a delicious meal and visit around the table.
Grandpa got in a storytelling mood.  He told us memories from being six years old, after his mother had died and his aunt came to care for him and his siblings.  He recalled taking a train to Winnipeg at the age of fourteen to sell cattle.  For being 98 years old, his memory is sharp as ever, and not just of days gone by.  If you ask him what he did yesterday, he will recall details of the weather, who was at the coffee shop and what they discussed.  He keep my mom on her toes!
Mark and Amy left early to meet friends back in Regina.  Caylea came home with us and we enjoyed a quiet ride back in the darkness. 
No mention of Daniel, you may notice.
Daniel travelled with his girlfriend's family to Ontario for a wedding.  Danae has relatives in the Sudbury area so Daniel experienced a two-day  marathon trip.  They travelled through the United States and both ways, the border officers gave Daniel some razzing over being the odd one out in the van!  The wedding was in the evening of December 31, with a short ceremony and a fun dance.  The 1920's theme included flapper dresses and feather boas, hats and three-piece suits!  Very classy!  Daniel mentioned the midnight lunch with meatballs and various cold cuts.  He didn't mention the salads, but Danae did!  She likes her vegetables.  We were glad when they arrived safely a couple days later as travel in January can come with weather and road risks. 
And that was our New Years celebrations.
Thanks for sharing it with me!