Here is a recap of our time in Iowa:
We left, Saturday, Dec. 20th. It was a long debate as my parents and Tom's parents kept calling us telling us that they were in a blizzard warning and we shouldn't try to come. Tom and I debated, but thought we needed to try to get further north as otherwise it would be Monday before we may be able to get there. So, with a packed car and a half full trailer we decided to head north. The road conditions were fine going north, I called my sister several times (who was in Omaha and annoyed with me) and she assured me that it was find there. My parents kept telling us it was bad there, we should not risk anything and should stop if it got bad. We kept trucking it north, thinking that as soon as it gets bad we will stop. Well, to our surprise, it never got bad. It was windy, but the snow wasn't really blowing over the road that much, so we made it no problem.
Sunday, the boys were suppose to head to the Viking's game but the blizzard seemed to kick up more and the temperatures were very frigid, -17 and then to add on the wind chill, it was probably -50. We were able to see my aunt and uncle and cousins from Houston, TX who were up for my grandma's surprise 75th birthday so that was nice, we don't get to see them much.
On Monday, Tom and I headed to Sioux Falls, SD for a little shopping (to finish up our kids) and to enjoy a day out for our anniversary. We do this yearly, usually on our anniversary but we were going to be in Minneapolis on our anniversary, so we did it early. Thanks to our parents who watched our kiddos for us. We had a nice lunch and then spent time at Tom's parents house that night!
Tuesday the kids headed out on the snowmobile at Tom's parents house, they absolutely loved it. Cole thought it was pretty cool that he was able to drive by himself and MErrick loved getting rides from Daddy. They loved being able to sled in the foot of snow that was on the ground up in Iowa. They had lots of fun with their cousins, Brooke and Erin as well. That night we enjoyed delicious Chinese food and a Wii bowling tournament. We had a bracket that Cole and Bob put together and played on two Tv's-double elimnation with Cole being the ultimate winner!
Wednesday, Christmas Eve, we enjoyed our normal traditions of preparing for the Fleming Family Christmas. It was a first as my sister's fiance', Bob, was attending his first Christmas with us, and both my brother's and sister-in-law, were not. We really missed Nate, Pat, and Big Ashley, but know that they enjoyed their celebrations with others this year! In the afternoon we enjoyed delicious snacks and company when my aunt and uncle and cousins from Omaha came over. That evening, Tom enjoyed a 20 oz slab of rare prime rib off the 12 lbs my dad made for us. Yes, we all enjoyed the delicious slab of beef, but Tom's piece was so big, we are all still talking about it. We opened presents and we all were spoiled as usual! We also headed to midnight mass, poor Cole just couldn't stay awake. I should note that Christmas Eve night, Merrick went into massive fits as her arm hurt and she couldn't move it. We didn't know what was wrong, but found out later (which you will read in a separte post) that it really was hurt. We finally got her to bed with some ice and I left Tom in charge of her and Macy while the rest of us went to Church.
Thursday morning, brought Santa Claus. The kids were spoiled yet again, and Merrick seemed absolutely exhausted and her arm still hurt. Dr. Bob couldn't even help her so she went up to bed, and slept for 2 1/2 hours that morning. Thanks goodness. At noon we headed to my Grandma Marnach's house for dinner. It was great getting to see all my aunts, uncles, and many of my cousins. It was the most crowded I remember my Grandma's with over 35 people there, including 4 babies ranging in age from 1 month to 11 months. It was busy. Macy was great, Merrick was pretty good, and Cole has grown up to be a great kiddo! After our delicious meal, we loaded up and headed back to Tom's parents house for the Gacke family Christmas. Once again, our kids were spoiled and it was fun watching my three and Tom's sister's girls pretty calm while opening and then playing nicely while the adult's opened. Tom and I were also spoiled yet again! That evening we enjoyed more delicious food and visits from Tom's aunts and grandma. The Gacke family adults (minus myself) enjoyed some cards, while I entertained the kids. Cole and Merrick just loved spending some fun times with their cousins, Brooke and Erin!
Friday, I headed to my great, great aunts funeral (she was 99 years old) and Tom took the kids out to the farm for another round of snow mobiling. This time the kids got to ride with daddy and grandpa-although mommy was pretty nervous not being there as it was super foggy. I was able to enjoy a little more quality time with my favorite cousin, Jen, and her son Isaac after the funeral. I don't get to see her much and it was nice just being able to talk. Friday evening we headed back to the Gacke's for a fun night of Catch Phrase and Scategories. Even the kids were able to get involved in playing.
Saturday morning we headed up to Minneapolis, so the boys could go to the Viking's game. Saturday we did a little shopping and the kids got to swim. Merrick sure enjoyed it as did Cole. Then my parents kept my kids so Tom and I could go out for dinner for our 11 year anniversary. We didn't know the area so well, so just ended up at TGIFriday's but it was yummy (mostly because of my yummy drink-Tropical Berry Mojito Shaker-try them they are divine).
Sunday we enjoyed a large Brunch Buffet in the hotel before the boys and Merrick headed to the Viking's game with my sister and Bob. Mom, Macy and I went shopping-it was nice to shop without fighting with Merrick, but I don't really like to shop and was tired so didn't accomplish much. We headed back to Sibley that evening.
On Monday, we packed and loaded and finally made it out of Sibley by 12:45 (this was with an extra trip back out to Tom's parents house as we forgot something). We made it home by 6 that night and were happy to be back in KC. Macy, Merrick and Cole were all great on the trip and it was a wonderful time! Merrick's arm started hurting again on the way home, so we dealt with that but otherwise it was a good trip. We didn't get many pictures, I just don't get to my camera as much as I should with Macy and because many of my pictures are blurry, but I will load a few. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
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