The Horaks: Christmas Week in Iowa

Going home for the holidays was much-anticipated this year since it's been 4 months since we've been up there and seen everyone! It was QUITE the big trip! Serena did an amazing job being in her carseat for over 13 hours! We were so thankful for that! I had packed all our food for the day, so we only stopped for gas/potty breaks. The dogs were pretty good too. They spent some of the time in the cab with us and the rest of the time they were in their kennel. It was crazy whenever we stopped to feel the steady drop in temperature. We started seeing snow just north of KC. We did make a stop at our house in Clive to check on things, so that prolonged our trip a little bit. We left home at 7am and arrived at Jordan's parents a little after 8pm. Serena took a little time to warm up to everyone, but by bedtime she was pretty comfortable with her new surroundings. I think it helped a lot when she realized that her adoring audience had just tripled in size! ;)

Taking her afternoon nap. Ahhhh!!!

It was so good to spend the whole week with Jordan's family! We did lots of catching up and playing games. Of course, Serena occupied a lot of time, too, haha! Anna & I even braved the mall to do some last-minute Christmas shopping! Jordan did quite a bit of hunting with the dogs and scored 6 birds over the course of the week!

One of MANY games of Cribbage

Starting from the very first morning, Serena developed a routine with Grandma. Almost as soon as she woke up, she climbed out of bed and headed for the door. I would delay her just long enough to put a fresh diaper on her. Then, I would open the door and we would find a waiting Grandma! Serena would head right over and start signing for music and pointing downstairs...directing Grandma straight to the computer where Pandora was turned on and usually left on for the rest of the day, mostly for Serena's sake! :) Grandma & Grandpa would also feed Serena breakfast while I usually went back to bed for a little bit and then got a shower. I felt pretty pampered! ;)

Cheerios & oatmeal breakfast...it doesn't get any better than this!

Shortly after our arrival, Serena discovered the stairs! STAIRS!!!!!!! With a landing halfway up!!!! And a basket of BOOKS!!!! :D After that, we had to be constantly keeping an eye on her or she would be heading off to climb up and down the stairs! Aunt Anna was an especially patient playmate on the stairs with Serena!

Yay for playtime on the stairs!

So fun!

Jordan went hunting almost every morning with the dogs. Both Rocky & Macy did a great job hunting, flushing, and retrieving birds! Poor Rocky found out what snow was for the first time! He picked up quite a bit of it on his first morning out! After that, Jordan rubbed Rocky's belly down with vegetable oil before going out so the snow wouldn't stick so much!

Poor Rocky!

Apparently Macy thinks she's part mountain-climber

Uncle Grant used his cell phone to get to Serena's heart. It's pretty much a no-fail! ;)

Anna & Kari making some yummy Christmas presents!

On Wednesday, Serena & I went to Kaden's 3rd birthday party! It was really special to be able to be there for that! Way to go, Kaden, for being born so close to Christmas! ;)

Serena taking her nap the day after Kaden's birthday. She was so tired! Notice her cute little tatoo, heehee!

Bathtime! Hahahahhaha, I love this one!

With Jordan and Grant not being able to hunt deer this year, Luke picked up the slack and still managed to have 11 or 12 deer ready to be butchered! It took the boys most of the day, but they got it all done!

Serena was 'washing' the floor when the boys came in with this bucket full of meat for us to start packing.

We celebrated Christmas together on Christmas Eve. It turned out to be a beautiful, snowy day! It was a wonderful time!

Kari, Andria, & Caroline

We had made plans to go to the Christmas Eve service at Maranatha, but decided against it because of the snow. Andria & I still dressed the girls up, though, just for fun! :)