New Years in Missouri

So, on the 27th of December we loaded up the van, piled the sleeping kids (and mom) into the van and headed off to Missouri to visit Grandma and Grandpa Astle. We left at 4:30 am and arrived, up the long gravel drive to the house most of my kids haven't seen or at least can't remember, at 1130 pm. The kids did SO good for such a long trek. We were very blessed as well, we only saw a little snow in Nebraska City. The window on the inside of the car were iced over until we saw a little bit of sun, which wasn't until about 12pm that day. It felt like a cold wintry day for sure. The kids were happy with their Christmas Stocking treats, and new presents and Mom enjoyed some well deserved sleep while Dad listened to a book and drove. Mom did drive for a couple of hours mid-day while Dad took a nap. And she was very happy to turn the wheel back over to the Master. It was very fun to see G-ma and G-pa. The kids thought the property was amazing and we enjoyed 4 wheeling all over the property (the kids getting to drive themselves occasionally), seeing all the lakes, watching movies, playing with the dog, and a dip in the hot tub. We were there for a week and enjoyed New Year's Eve with them. Bob made won-tons ( a traditional favorite), and we let off a slew of fireworks from the deck in the FREEZING cold. It was fun and exhilarating, the we watched the Ball drop and went to bed. We we had to leave, Mom and Dad had to drive home (Grandpa had given Bob a car, yeah since our sweet little Honda I have been driving for 14 1/2 years has 260 thousand miles on it. You could say we need a new). But driving was something Mom was very much against. It took many more hours to make the trek home than it did going out and we stayed at a hotel in North Platte (severely missing the Marriott employee discount I might add), then got up the next day and headed out again. We were all so exhausted the next day no-one went to work or school. That was nice since the kids missed playing with the new things and relaxing over the holiday. A great way to start the New Year.