Christmas in Minnesota

We are just returned from a two-week trip to the Midwest -- home in time to avoid the historic low temps they are about to experience -- and while we are pleased to be back with the kitties and hens, we had a wonderful visit with Minnesota and Iowa family. (For a fun flashback, look at this link to last year's MN Christmas and see how much Cora has grown.)

We tackled the 17+ hour drive from Ithaca to Mantorville, MN, by starting at nap time on Friday, December 20, and driving until 3am. We landed just outside Flint, MI (via Ontario - thus giving Silas his first border crossings!) for a few hours of sleep, a hot breakfast, and a dip in the pool. Another first for Silas -- pool swimming. He made us all proud and took to the water just like his fishy big sister. We had too much fun in the pool for photos, sorry!

Then we kept driving from about 11am on Saturday, arriving (and gaining an hour) at Nana & Papa Jensen's house at 10pm.

Updating the Advent calendar on our first morning in Mantorville, MN

While in Mantorville, we enjoyed lots of good food, sledding, games and even put on a few puppet shows for the kids. Some of us took naps.

Silas tries not to breathe and mess up his dad's next move in this new stacking game

One day we sled-walked down to the Mantorville Restoration House.

And we stopped for some freezing fun at the park.

 

Papa provided a wild ride home for Cora on the sled

On Christmas Eve we went to Aunt Cindy and Uncle Dave's house for dinner and presents. For the second year in a row we met up with cousin Jamie's delightful kids: Trey, Savannah, and Brooklynn (born 4 days before Cora).

Brooklynn and Cora

Jimbo (Babu) read us The Night Before Christmas via Facetime on Nate's iPhone.

Christmas morning we opened stockings at Nana & Papa's house and later went to Stewartville for lunch with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Duane Helland (who was visiting Mary at her new digs for the first time). Silas and Grandpa Duane hit it off and spent a lot of time making big eyes at each other.

Grandma Mary and Grandpa Duane looking at the photo book of family history made by Karisa.

After breakfast at Stewartville

Later in the week, we went to the Minnesota Zoo.

There were lots of indoor exhibits to see.

Some people were pooped by lunchtime.

Cora loved the outdoor exhibits, too...

 The Jensen family Christmas was held a few days later in Mantorville at Ron & Kathy's house.

With Grandma Jensen

With Aunt Kris and cousin Jordan

Well, some of us are looking at the camera...

Eliza, Savannah, Cora, Trey, Silas & Willem

Then it was time to drive south to Dave, Erin, Eliza, and Willem's house in Iowa.

Silas spent lots of time in his car seat on this trip -
and followed in his sister's footsteps of being a great traveler