Christmas 2009

We drove to Kansas for Christmas to visit our families. We knew that we wouldn't be able to drive 12+ hours in one day with Isaac, so we split the drive into two days. It made for a much more relaxing and enjoyable trip. Isaac did so well with the long drive - better than I ever expected he would! Of course, I think it helped that we turned his car seat around to face forward - a little early, I know, but considering he's as big as a 2-year old we felt pretty safe. He loved having a better view through the windows, and also being able to see us in the front seat. When he would get bored with his toys, he would pull his blanket over his head to initiate a game of peek-a-boo.

Michael wasn't feeling well on the trip north, so I ended up driving most of the way. By the time we got to Iola, though, he was starting to feel a little better, thankfully. We had to change our plans a bit because of the weather, but we did end up getting to see both of our families while we were there.

I'm glad we arrived when we did - just before the snow. On Christmas morning, we had 5 inches or so of snow, but the drifts were huge! Just to get to our car, Michael had to get through a 2 foot drift, and in other areas the drifts were as high as 6 to 8 feet! We ended up getting stuck three times on Christmas day: once trying to get out of the hotel parking lot, once going up my parents drive, and again when we tried to leave their house that evening! Good grief! Thank goodness for help from nice strangers (at the hotel), and for a great dad, brother and sister-in-law, and a 4-wheel drive truck for freeing us from the snow that day!

Because of the snow, Dad had to go in to work on Christmas day. So, we waited until he got home to open presents, and the kids were all so good while we waited. Isaac loved getting to play with his cousins, and I think that they enjoyed playing with him, and showing him some of their toys.

On Saturday we went to Carthage where we had Christmas with Michael's family at his sister's house. Isaac's favorite part of the day? Max! Max is Chris and Michele's dog, and he was so very calm and patient while Isaac proceeded to crawl on, push, pull, cuddle and generally annoy him to death - poor dog. I thought Isaac would be afraid of him - he's a big dog - but he wasn't at all. In fact, once we got home, every time we read a book with a dog in it he had to kiss the dog - too funny!

We had a great time with both families, but the time went by so quickly! I'm already looking forward to our next visit, but maybe we'll plan a summer trip so we won't have to contend with the snow! :-)