Over the river

And through a blizzard to Grandmother's house we go.

Our journey home began last night at 4:45. We were at a dead stop north of Kansas City on I35 due to an accident for nearly an hour. As soon as we passed the accident the snow started. Just south of the Iowa border we were unable to see more than two car lengths in front of us.

The slow travel lasted until we got to Des Moines. North of there, we were able to kick it up to 70 and get going. We finally arrived at my parents place around 2 am. The kids did a really good job for as long as we were in the car. As we were passing Farmington, I thought to call Missy and Jesse and end our drive for the night...but I didn't want to send Missy into an early labor with a 1 am wake-up call.

Thanks to all of those who kept me entertained with text messages and Facebook notes. Whoever thought to make Facebook an application on a Blackberry is a genius. After the kids fell asleep we flipped on the XM dirty comedy channel. They played a clip from Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" which reminded me that I need to find a copy of that DVD.

We are in here in Minneapolis now for close two weeks. We're looking forward to spending time with our family and friends. I just became a hero in my eldest daughter's eyes because I put the finishing touches on a bowling/slumber party with her friends from St. Al's for next week.

Mike and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. Your love and support over the last year has been more than we could have ever asked for.

There's no place like home

In just one short week we will have been here four months. It really hasn't felt like it has been that long (others may disagree). Maybe it is because we have had a steady stream of friends and family come to visit since our move. I believe that steady stream has made our transition a little easier.

We just said good bye to Russ and Melissa. They came down here so Melissa and I could continue our yearly tradition of Christmas shopping together. For anyone who has been here, I of course took her straight to the Plaza. This weekend has been bitter cold. I think that I have already become thin blooded.

A couple of weeks ago I went to the MU vs. OU stomp fest which some called a football game. The most exciting thing that happened at the game is when the Sooner Schooner broke. As a person who is indifferent to either team I spent most of my night focusing on hold cold I was. Like any other game with my coworkers, we started off tailgating, and as usual, the food was outstanding.

Comments throughout the evening were thrown at me about how cold it was, but how it still must be shorts weather for me. Let me tell you, that at 23 degrees with a sustained wind of 20 mph, it isn't shorts weather for anyone. I had to keep reminding people that yes, I did live in Minnesota my entire life, but we know when to come in out of the cold. I am sure there are a number of die hard outdoor football people in Minnesota that will scoff, but I like to watch football in a dome. It is a nice temperate climate where you can take your coat off and enjoy a beer or two without freezing your ass off.

As with every other Christmas that has passed, I feel rushed. I feel like I haven't had a minute to just sit and look at the Christmas tree my kids took such pains to decorate. My rushed feeling is probably my own fault. We have had a pretty busy couple of weeks.

I was in St. Louis for a work convention, came home and took Sydney to a Cheetah Girls concert with her friend Elle, and her mom. We followed the concert up by attending my work Christmas party. Our entertainment for the evening was Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls. Think Dee Snider in metallic silver pants with a wind machine. Throw in some Christmas shopping, dance lessons for both girls, school parties and a few dinner engagements and here we are at the 21st of December.

My day today is going to be filled with packing and organzing as we get ready to head home for the holidays. We are very excited to see all of our friends and family. We're also excited to spend more than just a hurried weekend in the Cities.

My children never cease to amaze me with what they process and understand. Sydney had been invited to a birthday party and we were on our way home when she said:

"Mommy, tell your boss thank you for me."
"Why, Sydney?"
"Because Kansas is a wonderful place, and I like it here."

Despite their inability to remove 3" of snow effectively, Kansas is a wonderful place, and I'm glad we moved here too. Just don't tell my boss.

Drunco

Every time I have thought to sit down and update my blog, some small task has crept into the first spot om my to-do list. Like right now, I'm pausing to do yet another load of wash.

I'm back. I quick swept the wood floor sea that is the main floor of my house. I have a love/hate relationship with my wood floor. I am sweeping/swifering at least once a day. But enough about that.

We hosted Thanksgiving at your house this year. My parents, Mike's parents and step-parents as well as our brothers, Jessica and Hayden all came down. My coworker, Rebekah and her husband Nick also joined us. Nick works retail and its nearly impossible for him to get black Friday off so they can go home to Arkansas.

I brined the turkey again this year, and I really think that is the best way to do a turkey. My mom brought down two ducks and they were so tasty. After lunch we took the kids on a long bike ride/walk in the 60 degree weather. It was such a beautiful day.


I had to work on Friday since the markets were open...but I left promptly at the stroke of 12 when the market closed. We took everyone out for a KC BBQ lunch at Oklahoma Joe's. It is, in my inexperienced opinion, some of the best BBQ in town. We then took everyone to the Plaza to see the Christmas lights (see Christmas card that is in the mail).

The minute the last guests left on Sunday we were out the door to get a Christmas tree. Without realizing what I had done, I picked a date to host Bunco that was one week after Thanksgiving. When I picked the date, I thought it was two weeks after. Whoops. After getting the tree the girls and I started on the inside and Mike started hanging lights outside. Our neighbors have nicked named him Griswold because of his ambitious lighting display. He did a beautiful job.

I spent every night of that week either kickboxing, cleaning or cooking. I'm trying like hell to battle the 5 lbs I've gained since we moved here. I used to walk nearly everyday at lunchtime. I don't do that anymore and I can tell. Ick. I don't think the beers while tailgating or the wine consumption during Bunco has helped either.

Thursday arrived and it was finally the day of the Bunco party. These are all girls that I work with and they are so fun. There were 18 of us playing and by the third round the booze was settling in and we were having a good time. Sydney and Camille had a great time roaming around and getting caught up in the excitement of people yelling "BUNCO". The party wound down around 10:30 for all but I few of us who decided to head to the bar. The alarm going off at 6:00 am really hurt.

Last night we took the kids to Overland Park Arboretum for a candle lit Christmas light walk. It was really beautiful although a little chilly by my new standards. The girls were able to tell Santa what they both really wanted for Christmas.

Today, Mike and I are headed out to do some Christmas shopping. After that, I'm going to a NCAA Big 12 playoff game of some sort. I'm still wrapping my head around college football...standings...rivalries...who we should like, who we shouldn't. Are the Sooners at OSU or OU? There are just so many of these stinking teams to keep it all straight. And Shannon, I'm kidding. I know the Cowboys are OSU.