To Grandmother's House...

For the first time in our married lives, Brad and I went home for Christmas in Iowa. We left the dogs and our standard Christmas attire in North Carolina and loaded up the car with a few friends. Cleo was sorry to see us go, but after two long trips across country with dogs in the backseat already this past year, we preferred people to sit back there this time around.

Fortunately we had decent weather for the drive, some wonderful hosts in Ohio for an overnight stop, and before we knew it, we were HOME. Now we've been back for plenty of visits, but there is just something about being home with family for Christmas itself. I'd forgotten about that.

We spent the holiday week criss-crossing Iowa and southern Minnesota for all our family functions. Having large families can make for a lot of Christmas gatherings, but we loved all of it! There was plenty of games played, delicious food ate, and the squishing of too many people on couches. Naturally, Brad and I forgot to take any proper pictures with our families. We are really bad at that sometimes. Anybody else have some? We have one photo of my family. At a bar. Country cable doesn't  have Cyclone basketball games, so we went to the bowling alley to watch it together. Nothing like family bonding time - Go State!

On top of family time, Brad and I both got to catch up with up with some hometown friends (of course, pictures weren't really taken - we were too busy talking). Isn't it great when you see people and even though it's been a year (or two), you pick right back up where you left off? I love that!

Sappiness aside, it was a spectacular Christmas that reminded us of just how important family is. Family is what you make it, no matter how much time or distance is between you.