Ho! Ho! Ho!

After a day of weather delays, cancelled flights, and an unexpected trip to Kansas City, Uncle Tommy and Auntie Kate made it to Des Moines and thus kicking off Christmas ’07. Unfortunately their luggage didn’t arrive with them. Grammy and Grandpa arrived the next day to make it a full house (we had to stay in Des Moines again this year because I had to work both the 24th and 26th).
On the 22nd we did some last minute shopping, picked up Tom and Kate’s luggage, and tried to convince Molly she wanted to sit on a mall Santa’s lap (she would have none of it).

On the 24th we may have stumbled upon a new tradition. To pass the day away, Molly took everyone bowling. They had little bowling shoes and kids sized bowling balls. They even had it set up so that when Molly bowled, little bumpers filled the gutters so that her ball would make it to the pins. It seemed to be a big hit. [If Uncle Tommy emails a couple of bowling photos, we can post them here.]

Christmas turned out to be a tour of church services. Grammy and Grandpa made it to the Plymouth Congregational service while Tom and Kate attended St. Augustine’s for mass. Than they all met Cheryl at Grace Methodist to watch her play bells at the 11:00 PM service. Molly and I set out some reindeer food and waited for Santa Claus.
Molly woke up at 6:15 on Christmas morning.



Fortunately she was willing to cuddle with Mommy so Tom and Kate could get another hour sleep. However, when Grammy and Grandpa arrived at 7:00 it was time to open presents!


Molly was more into the program than last year, but was quickly overwhelmed. Between the presents in her stocking and the larger unwrapped gifts she already had too much to keep her occupied. After eating breakfast and opening a few more presents, Molly announced she tired, went up stairs, and took a nap! The rest of the day was spent opening presents and eating. Kelly and Yvonne joined us for dinner and a fairly serious Hungry Hippo tournament.

This year it only took Molly two days to open all her presents. But not before she announced on the 26th that Christmas was over. Molly got everything she wished for and more. The books, games, toys, and cloths have all turned out to be hit. And Christmas was good for the rest of us as well!
Tom and Kate had another adventure leaving Des Moines. They were scheduled to leave mid-afternoon on Wednesday so everyone met me downtown for lunch. By than their flight had been delayed to the early evening. As they were just about to board the desk agent disappeared and didn’t reappear for 45 minutes, only to announce the flight was cancelled. They got a free night in an airport hotel and we got a chance to have one last meal together.