Visit to Grandma and Grandpa M.'s

A few days after Christmas we went to Iowa to celebrate with my mom, step dad, Beth and Dave. More presents, yummy food and the Hawkeye's even pulled off a nail-biting victory while we watched the Insight Bowl together. A lovely evening with fabulous company.

Playing 'Go Fish' with Uncle Dave.


Grandma getting her early 60th birthday present from Beth and I - tickets to see Les Miserables with us in April.


Allie modeling the beautiful sweater dress that Grandma knit for her.




Katie hamming it up for the camera.




And a couple other random ones...




The next day, sensing Alex and my utter exhaustion from a month of illnesses, a hectic, year-end work schedule for Alex and the busyness of all the other activities crammed into December, Grandma stepped in. She planned a day-long pajama party for the girls, and sent Alex and I to a hotel for the afternoon/evening. 18-hours later, we returned. Having had a quiet dinner sans our overly-exhausted, coming off the sugar-high, children, and about 12 hours of sleep, we were feeling much, much better!

Thanks for having us out, Mom and Galen. (And, an extra big thank you for entertaining our kids for a night!)