It was an adventure getting to Wisconsin on Christmas Day to spend the rest of the holiday with my family. We left Montevideo around noon and the roads were wet, snow-packed, and it was snowing, but we really wanted to make it, as my dad was planning a surprise for my mom (he had gotten her a new, simple wedding band to take with her to the Phillipines instead of her diamonds, and he was having a small home ceremony performed by our priest so they could renew their vows. She had no idea!) Traveling was slow (because of both road conditions and very cautious drivers), and the nearer we got to Hutchinson, MN the worse it got. The snow started coming down very hard and it alternated between raining and snowing, freezing on the road. We also followed two very, very slow moving vehicles for most of the way, but conditions were too bad to pass them, so we just kept our distance and prayed that the kids would stay asleep. As we were headed into Hutchinson we had one of the scariest experiences I've ever been through...a large 4x4 truck was headed towards us in the middle of the road and it lost control, coming straight at us in our lane. The car ahead of us whipped into the ditch to miss hitting it and Brad had to go into the oncoming lane (otherwise we would have plowed right into the car in the ditch or the truck.) Then the truck started sliding back our way at exactly the spot Brendan was sitting (behind the front passenger.) Brad managed to move the car so that the truck whipped by instead of hit us, but if another vehicle had been coming there would have been nowhere for us to go. Because of the weather and our close call, we stopped at a motel (luckily we found one open on Christmas Day) to feed and change the kids and slow our racing hearts. We stayed for about a half hour, debating if we should just stay overnight, and then the weather cleared up and the kids looked tired again, so we decided to try again. Because of the slow going we missed the renewal of the vows, but we were put on speakerphone so we could hear it taking place.
The actual holiday flew by too fast (as usual) and before we knew it we were headed back home (with a quick detour to my grandparents in the cities where we had lunch with them and my Aunt Liz.) Megan was pretty excited to meet her great-grandparents for the first time, and Brendan loves playing at their house. The kids did great in the car ride back too, so all-in-all we had a great Christmas! Here are some pictures from the Crea Christmas...
Dad & Mom renewing their vows.
Let the Christmas celebration begin!
Brendan opening his stocking that Santa left at the farm for him.
Brad doing the one-arm opening, while holding Megan.
Brendan and his own little rocking chair!
The next day we were all sitting around and visiting right before bedtime. Brendan comes running out to me, stands right in front of me, and smiles like this. His face is covered in chocolate and he's just being nutty (laughing and jumping around.) Come to find out that it's not just regular chocolate he got into, but some of the heavily liquored up chocolate covered cherries! Needless to say, all goodies got moved to well out of reach of Brendan. :)
On our way back home on Sunday, we stopped in the cities at my grandparents house so they could meet Megan. I missed a picture of my Grandma with Megan, but Brad got this one with my Grandpa (he turns 88 in April!) It was wonderful to get to spend some time with them, and with my Aunt Liz. We love you!
Brendan read and re-read Mater and the Ghost Light (from someone at the Crea Christmas...I can't remember who) on the way back home.
He looked so cute when he fell asleep!
Playing with his new trains at home the next morning. Megan enjoyed watching them go around too. (NOT looking forward to when she can move around and get into them. I foresee many a fight in my future!)
Let the Christmas celebration begin!
Brendan opening his stocking that Santa left at the farm for him.
Brad doing the one-arm opening, while holding Megan.
Brendan and his own little rocking chair!
The next day we were all sitting around and visiting right before bedtime. Brendan comes running out to me, stands right in front of me, and smiles like this. His face is covered in chocolate and he's just being nutty (laughing and jumping around.) Come to find out that it's not just regular chocolate he got into, but some of the heavily liquored up chocolate covered cherries! Needless to say, all goodies got moved to well out of reach of Brendan. :)
On our way back home on Sunday, we stopped in the cities at my grandparents house so they could meet Megan. I missed a picture of my Grandma with Megan, but Brad got this one with my Grandpa (he turns 88 in April!) It was wonderful to get to spend some time with them, and with my Aunt Liz. We love you!
Brendan read and re-read Mater and the Ghost Light (from someone at the Crea Christmas...I can't remember who) on the way back home.
He looked so cute when he fell asleep!
Playing with his new trains at home the next morning. Megan enjoyed watching them go around too. (NOT looking forward to when she can move around and get into them. I foresee many a fight in my future!)
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