Round Two

Dakota's family came to Iowa the day after Christmas. Like our trip to Chicago, there was some bad weather forecasted for Saturday, so they came up a day earlier than planned. Everyone stayed at a nearby hotel (even though we did offer to let them all stay here). Emma was pretty tickled to go visit them at the hotel on Friday night, though, because the hotel had a pool. We brought her suit along, and she got to swim in the bath-water warm pool. Ashlyn wanted to get in too, but chubby bunny that she is, we don't have a suit that fits her right now. (Haven't dug out next summer's clothes yet!)

On Saturday, everyone chipped their cars out of the ice and slid over here, bringing with them gifts galore. It looked like Christmas morning again, and then some. Emma was about to burst, with so many presents piled high in the room, so we opted not to torture her anymore than was necessary, and we opened presents before lunch. Emma's favorites were a doll house, digital kids camera, and Tinker Bell dress up outfit. Ashlyn's favorites were... the bows.

After the presents were all opened, and we had found the floor again, the kids played with their presents, and the grown ups spent time visiting.

Unfortunately, the day was cut short, when the possibility of more icy roads threatened the return drive to Missouri. So the Missouri bunch headed back early. Lacy and Georgi played it safe and stayed an extra night with us, since the roads going east were already ice covered and travel was not recommended. Good thing too, as we later learned that part of the interstate had been shut down that afternoon due to so many accidents in one particular stretch. Though our time together was short, we enjoyed visiting with everyone. We appreciated our many nice gifts, and were glad that everyone was able to make it home safely.