Christmas Come and Gone

Slow down!!!! Where is my Christmas vacation going? It seems like just yesterday we got out of school for Christmas break and here it is Dec. 27th already. Last Wed. and Thurs. were spent babysitting Trent and Addy and praying that Adam and Joelle made it back safely to Iowa. Friday was spent cooking and cleaning and praying that Adam and Joelle would make it back safely to Monticello and Cascade since they spent the night in IC with Lanie and friends. Friday was our snow storm day. We must have gotten about 8 inches. Of course Adam and Joelle were in no hurry to leave IC , so they didn't start out until about noon. Why do young people not pay attention to the weather? They finally made it to Joelle's grandma's in Springville and were heading to Monti and here when they went in the ditch near Springville. Luckily they and the jeep were fine. Joelle's uncle pulled them out and they made it to Joelle's mom and dad's where they decided to spend the night. I think they had their fill of winter driving that day. Luckily they only had to travel 60 miles on Fri compared to the 800 they drove on Thursday. At least Joelle's family got to see her on Friday. Adam finally made it here on Sat. (Christmas) morning. It took him 2 days to get home which seemed like an eternity to me. I knew I wasn't going to see him on Thurs but that was ok but thought for sure I would see him on Fri. I told him it was worse not being able to see him when I knew he was in Iowa than when he was in CO. I knew he was so close but I still couldn't see him or hug him. We were able to visit and catch up Sat. morning before heading up to Grandma Grace's for the Gotto Christmas at noon. Abby and Tory also showed up right before we left, so Adam was able to ride up and back with them. That gave them time catch up and visit. The Gotto Christmas was good. Joe and Sherry were in charge and they had a soup cookoff. The brothers and sisters had to bring a pot of soup. I took veg/beef. Karen's cabbage and ham won. They were all great. But you know Joe and Sherry. Everyone was a winner. They had prizes for everyone. Joe also dressed up as Santa. He is so good. The kids were so cute. They weren't afraid of him like they were last year. Everyone had a great time and lots to eat. Adam and the Toppings left mom's about 2:00 to come home to do the dog chores (Tory) and sleep (Trent, Addy and Abby). Jon and I helped clean up and return items to Joe and Sherry's. (a truck load) Then it was back home for our family Christmas. It was low key but after a Gotto Christmas, low key is good. I was just so happy to have everyone here. Even Ashley was able to be here. Joelle came over too. We ate, did dishes and then opened gifts. Trent was so cute. He was all business passing out gifts and opening his gifts. Adam and Joelle gave him a train set which he loved. There was no peace until we set it up and he was able to play with it. He had his conductor's hat on and was calling "All aboard" and punching tickets and having a great time. He also got a corn planter, grain cart, flashlight and a 4020 tractor that he has to share with Papa. Addy just sat and watched the whole process. Jon got Netflix again and this time we got a wireless router so he can watch DVD's, on the computer or on the TV with the Wii. You know what Jon will be doing the next 3 months. Now Christmas 2010 is over. Adam and Joelle are back in Colorado :( and now we are looking forward to Abby's birthday on Fri and New Year's eve and day. Happy New Year!!!!