It's the most wonderful time...

Two full weeks with family and friends in Minnesota...where to I start to recap the memories made over the past two weeks?!?  What a special time!

Our time began earlier than expected, by several hours.  Due to typical Iowa weather, I had no school on Friday 12/20.  I spent the early morning keeping a close eye on the road conditions, and when the Iowa DOT told me my route was "normal," Vinnie and I hit the road and headed North.  We managed to arrive in the cities about the time we were originally planning on leaving Iowa.  The perks: no night driving, dinner as a family, and a little more time together. 

We decided to try our luck at Santa one more time, so Saturday morning, we headed to Macy's in Minneapolis.  We walked through the display, still a little over Vinnie's head, and got in line for Santa.  While we waited, we sweetened the experience with a little gingerbread cookie and chatted with Vinnie about all the things he could talk to Santa about.  It could have been the sugar, it could have been the idea of a new conversation partner, but when our turn came to visit Santa, Vinnie did not hesitate to climb up on Santa's lap and begin chatting.  Santa was quite impressed with all he had to say!  A little different than our last Santa experience...so we were happy we gave it another go!  From there we enjoyed a nice lunch and headed out to Buffalo later that evening.

The next few days consisted of lots of celebrating, from birthdays to Christmas festivities.  On Monday 12/23 I enjoyed some time with my mom, sister, and niece Ella at the Children's Theater production of "Cinderella".  Christmas Eve brought birthday gifts to Ella in the AM, a beautiful church service in the evening, and a night of good food and good company. 

Christmas day we enjoyed some family time in Buffalo before heading to White Bear.  Jeremy, Laura, and Caleb joined us in the celebration on 12/26.  Vinnie enjoyed playing with and doting on his youngest cousin Caleb.  We spent time catching up with Derek, and even squeezed in a game of bowling!  We wrapped up our time in White Bear with a trip to St. Paul for a Wild hockey game, our family Christmas gift.  This experience further supported how much greater life gets when you have kids and get to experience everything for the first time again through their eyes.  Vinnie enjoyed every moment of the game and took in all his surroundings of hockey!

We returned to Iowa on 1/3, although I'm not sure where the universe was sure where it wanted us to be...what a rough ride home!  I spent the 5+ hour drive fighting to keep the car on the right path, all the while wishing I could just let it turn me around and bring me straight back to Minnesota.  All in good time I suppose.

Now, we are left to piece routine back together and find normal in the quiet that is our lives here in Iowa...which has not been easy on anyone.  Today brought a trip to the grocery store, sorting out toys to make room for the new ones, and packing up the holiday decorations.  Tomorrow's agenda...laundry and hoping this cold everyone is talking about isn't as bad as it sounds!