Iowa Christmas

We spent Christmas in Iowa this year.  Our first time to drive straight through both ways.  The kids did great and Grammy came home with us to spend a week in Texas.  Only sad part of the trip, no snow.

Found a Maid Rite at the Iowa border - woo hoo!

 We started the trip getting to help Celebrate Lydia's birthday.

Happy 7th Birthday sweet Lydia.

My cousin Michelle was able to make it so we got to see a few extra cousins!

The biggest kids (adults and Davis) even tried out Grandpa's new mini bike but I didn't get any photos.  I was so nervous - no helmets.

 Uncle Matt gave his girls a snake!  Yikes!

Our traditional ham ball dinner.  Good job Grammy!

Time to open cousin presents and from Grammy and Grandpa!

Buddy made it to Grammy's too.

We went to Christmas Eve Service with Uncle Matt's family and Grammy and Grandpa.

Got to watch Grandpa sing.

We love Silent Night! 

Waiting for Santa.

 Santa found us in Iowa and we spotted him too.

We heard his bells and tip toed down the stairs to peek through the door.  We could see him unloading his bag of presents.

Christmas morning.   

Julianna got Daddy what she thought was a place mat.

No snow this year.  In fact it wasn't even super cold.

They love Grandpa's drones.

On the road again. (This of course was not our picture at 4am.)  The drive home was not as pleasant as the drive to Iowa.  Very rainy weather added an hour to our trip.

They couldn't wait to unload the car and get to playing.  Emerson was so happy to see the new bike Grammy got her.  It stayed in Texas in the garage so we wouldn't have to pack it.

Lots of Legos.

 Easy bake oven treats.

This guy was happy to see us too.

We ended the year with a trip to the movies.

Mary Poppins Returns did not disappoint.  

We watched Mary Poppins the night before, just to be sure we wouldn't miss anything.