We had a snow day the Friday before we left...not a good sign. Although I was thrilled to be off work and have an extra day to get ready! We woke the kids up at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning...the weather looked bad and we knew it was going to be a LONG day. Pulled out of our driveway at 6:00 a.m. and arrived at my parents at 7:00 p.m. At one point we were stopped on 35 in Northern Iowa for ONE WHOLE HOUR! A dead stop, the people in front of us were outside kicking a soccer ball around. 13 hours of driving 40 mph average speed. What they say is true, driving slow saves gas. We made it all the way on one tank of gas!!!! That said, let the adventure begin....
SATURDAY: We could not wait to see Celia. The kids were so excited to be together! I love this picture...look out world!!!!
We barely had time to get unloaded and Gramma put us to work making homemade spaghetti noodles for Sunday dinner. It was fun for the kids to participate, and Erin too.
Tony sometimes got his noodles tangled up.
Here's part of the finished product. We could hardly wait to eat them the next day!!!!
SUNDAY: Brian, Amanda, and Cal came to Gramma's Sunday. They were unable to join us on Christmas day because of Amanda's work schedule. Spending the day with them and their sweet little guy was worth the LONG drive! It's nearly impossible to take a bad picture of Cal...he always looks like this, such a happy-go-lucky little boy! They are both doing a wonderful job with him.
This year "someone" thought it a good idea if we "make" our gifts to each other. What on earth could we make for the guys?.....MARSHMALLOW SHOOTERS!!! Personalized and everything. Chris and the kids were so excited for them to unwrap these. Chris knew Jack wouldn't appreciate mini-marshmallows strewn all over his house, but they were a hit all week that's for sure.
The Skubics made us this beautiful sign to hang up while we are camping. Kinda makes our marshmallow shooters look lame huh? What a wonderful gift. If I ever get my house in the woods, I will hang this up on my front porch permanently. Thanks Skubics...we LOVE it!
Cal is nearly sitting on his own and is grabbing for toys, and of course putting everything in his mouth. 
YUMMO! The spaghetti was delicious. I love Tony eyeballing Brian's plate (first of four, by the way...we WERE counting Bri.) Look at poor Celia relegated to the corner. I hope someone threw her some crumbs!
This was the first time in a LONG time we all were together. Brian and Amanda are moving to Connecticut this spring because of Brian's job being relocated. We will sure miss them, but are already planning our trip to the East Coast this summer! Because of the move, they gave each of us a webcam to help ease the distance. A thoughtful gift which we will all cherish. Thanks guys!
I tried not to duplicate the pictures Erin posted, but not everyone who views my blog views hers so I wanted to include this picture. I didn't have one of Celia looking...she is a busy, busy little peanut!
MONDAY: Celia is usually the first one up in the morning. When everyone else starts to eat breakfast she loves to jump on your lap and take over whatever it is you may be eating. By the end of the week Erin gave in and just started giving her Lucky ("Yucky") Charms from the get go.
Monday morning Brian called us on the webcam so we could test it out. I was surprised at how nice the picture was and there was absolutely no delay at all. We are going to have fun with this!Later Monday, we headed over to Hibbing to visit Chris' family. Chris and Joanna took the kids exploring to Kerry (or is it Kelly?) Lake. They had a great day playing in the snow. Sorry I don't have any pictures...lazy, I guess. Tony and Livie are always excited to see their cousins Lizzie and Drew. Papa John fixed Coq au Vin using pheasants he shot (for lack of a nicer term) this fall. It wasn't bad...says the person who does NOT enjoy wild game. :) Tony really liked it and referred to it as "that bird Papa cooked" all week.
TUESDAY: We took the opportunity to bring lunch to Ms. Maras in her 4th Grade classroom at Merritt Elementary in Mt. Iron. It was really fun for the kids and I to see her classroom and she was excited for us to visit. If there was ever a person on this earth who has the gift to teach it is Joanna. Her students are so lucky to have her...they will remember her class their entire life.
Tuesday was Gramma Sally's "29th" birthday!!!! My Aunt Becky and Uncle Paul, cousin Shelley, her husband Derek and son Joey, along with my cousin Lindsey and her husband Brian (home from New Orleans) joined all of us at a cute Mexican restaurant downtown Virginia to celebrate.
We headed back to Mt.Iron for cake afterwards. Don't you love Celia in this picture??? She's wondering if anyone is noticing that she just unzipped Gramma's camera bag.
Joey was a trooper and made it through cake. He hadn't been feeling well, but we sure were glad to get to see the cutie!
WEDNESDAY: Christmas Eve morning Gramma made French Toast for everyone with the help of her Sous Chef Celia. No matter what you are doing, CC wants to "stand on a chair and help."
After breakfast we headed to Hibbing for our Christmas celebration with the Maras family. The kids played cards with Gramma Nancy while they waited for Lizzie and Drew to arrive.
Ah, the legendary "kids table." Poor Livie is just about too big to sit there any more. Nonetheless, they clinked their glasses and enjoyed a fun filled day together. This time it was Gramma's Sarmas on their plates. (I don't eat those either...sorry)
"Gramma Santa" filled socks for the kids and they were so cute on the stairs checking out what they got.
In the past, opening presents at the Maras house was a crazy free for all...Auntie Jojo in the past couple of years has managed to get the kids to open them one at a time. They did a great job of waiting their turn this year. Makes it so much easier to see what they got and from whom...gotta get those Thank yous written!!!!!
Livie and Lizzie (or Lizzie and Livie if you're a Gramma Nancy) pose with their matching slippers and headbands. 
Drew adores fishing, making him so much FUN to shop for this year. We couldn't wait to give him this giant fish we found at Bass Pro Shops!!!! Sorry Jen, it's only the start of PAYBACK for the farting chair you gave Tony 2 years ago. :)
Auntie Jojo and her 4 Amigos. The kids are so lucky to have her in their lives...she is a special gal and never complains about entertaining these four.
Seriously, that was the ACTUAL temperature on our way back to Mt. Iron Christmas Eve night. We have gotten so spoiled living in a milder climate. In fact, as I type this our snow is all gone and temps are in the 40's this week! We were more than happy to enjoy their snow and leave it all behind.
2 comments:
There's the REST of the story! I didn't mean to overstate...guess it was ONLY -18!! Fun to see the Hibbing celebration, thanks for sharing!
Jo-
We love to read about all of your family adventures. Christmas is no exception. Looks like a good time was had by all. Glad you had a safe trip. Hope to see you soon!
The Laurienzo's
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