Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate & Property Management

Idaho remained one of the nation's fastest growing states in 2008, but the recession slowed that growth dramatically, according to statistics recently released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The agency estimates the state's population grew 1.85 percent between mid-2007 and mid-2008, the sixth-fastest rate among the states but the slowest growth rate for Idaho since 2002 in the aftermath of the last national recession.

The top five fast-growing states were, in order, Utah (2.53 percent), Arizona (2.31), Texas (2.03), North Carolina (2.0) and Colorado (2.0).

"While Idaho's economy has slowed dramatically, it started from one of the strongest bases of any state and the situation, while serious to the people in Idaho, is comparatively better than it is in places like the Midwest, Upper Midwest and the West Coast," said Bob Fick, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Labor. "Whether that continues remains to be seen."

Idaho's population is still going strong, despite the economy.

Full article here.

How was your Christmas?  What traditions did you continue, which ones did you "start or change" this year?

This year was a little different for us, and we really liked it.  For the 3 days before Christmas, we opened a present or two each night - with the intention of opening all under the tree presents by the end of Christmas Eve.  Christmas Eve brought my parents.  We had appetizers and enjoyed each other.

Christmas Day the kids opened their socks full of stuff - and then along came my parents again with presents for everyone and, along came my sister and her family, also with presents for everyone.  We had Christmas brunch at 11 - that was perfect, I think we'll do that again instead of a Christmas dinner.

The hit at brunch?  Sausage gravy - it was SO YUM (if I do say so myself).

New Years Eve is coming at us quickly and we are hosting a party - AKKK!

My favorite day - New Years Day - I get to pack up the decorations and get the house back in order.  I love Christmas decorations, but I also love the feeling of getting it all put away and the house all cleaned and in order.