We left Little Rock in quite a hurry on Wednesday afternoon to try to beat an impending storm. We decided to close the office a couple of hours early, so we could get on the road. We came to the conclusion that we would have to avoid Kansas, and take the southern route. We made it though Oklahoma before the blizzard closed down all the major roads, and airport. Then on to Amarillo. We had hoped to make it all the way to Trinidad, CO, but the storm was coming and we felt it would be best to stay in Amarillo, and then drive the rest of the way into Denver in the daylight. We got to Amarillo about 9pm, and got settled in our hotel.
We got up early the next morning so we could get to Denver before dinner. The wind howled all night long and rattled the windows in our room. I was glad that we had stopped, but I was also worried about how the roads would be when we woke up.
Overnight Amarillo became covered in a blanket of snow. The wind was still gusting, and it was freezing. Our GPS guided us out of town, through the slick intersections where we saw cars slipping, spinning and getting stuck, out to a two-lane road in the middle of nowhere. After a quick glance at the paper map, I concluded that although we were not on the road I anticipated, we were headed the right direction on the most direct route.
I had a separate post titled Tumbleweeds and Tickets (in Texas), but it must have not been saved since I was using my iphone as my sole internet connection during this trip. As we drove through the Northeast corner of Texas, we were having a great time playing dodgeball with the tumbleweeds that were racing across the road in the gusty wind. Brian was enjoying seeing them crash into the truck. No one was really paying attention, and with the cruise control set at 78 (speed limit was 70)Eddie glanced in his rear view mirror to see flashing lights from a Texas State Trooper. Officer Jones (I'm not kidding) approached the passenger side window, asked for our registration, driver's license and insurance, and informed us that we were driving over the speed limit. Luckily he just issued us a warning, and we were back on our way, now a little slower.
We made great time the rest of the trip and made it to Denver about 3pm! We still had lots to do to prepare for Christmas morning. My mom helped me wrap the gifts. The kids left the cookies for Santa and the carrots and reindeer food that they made at Gymboree and for the reindeer. Brian wrote Santa a note. Oops, we forgot the milk!
Once the kids were in bed we finished all the Christmas Eve preparations, and settled in for a long winters night.
Christmas morning the kids were excited and we let them open their stockings before the rest of the family arrived. Once everyone had arrived, and we had some snacks, then it was time for the games to begin. I insist on an organized, orderly gift opening session where everyone takes turns so you can actually see what everyone receives and watch others open your gift. Danielle had fun opening her presents this year too! The rest of the day was spent as usual, eating, playing with new toys, visiting, and more eating.
The kids dressed in their new matching fuzzy polar bear pajamas.
Dressed up for church, Danielle was not too excited about participating in our photo session.
The other two kids sure look cute, and handsome.
My very handsome son!
My gorgeous daughter!
Danielle had fun opening her presents with grammie.
Emily likes her new pink hat.
Brian got real binoculars from daddy.
The whole gang, Logan, Brian, Danielle, Emily and Kaitland, I didn't get a good picture.
The first thing the kids wanted to do in Denver was play in the snow. Brian is making a snow angel.
Roaming in the back "woods"
Emily, all bundled up!
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