With winter storm warnings blaring across the TV and radio, every 12 seconds, I was afraid our Christmas plans were possibly going to come to a screeching halt. However, Jason was able to get out of work early on Wednesday and we were in the car, destination STJ in mind. The roads were not too bad but were getting worse by the time we pulled up to 209 9th Ave S. and we had the distinct feeling, we were going to have to hunker down for the long haul, which turned out to be the case. Rather than prattle on and on about eating, opening presents, playing games and just all around merriment, I think I will just let this photo laden (humor me, I was testing out my new camera) post do most of the speaking, with just minor narration.
Ella, our resident lottery ticket lover, scratching away to no avail.
Ella, our resident lottery ticket lover, scratching away to no avail. 
Just glad we made it!
Not sure who had more fun playing "Home Sweet Inn", the kids or Uncle Joshy. I guess if this Target deal doesn't pan out for him, the hotel industry may be worth a shot.
We were able to run over and spend some time with Great Grandpa and Grandma.
I think the look on her face pretty much says it all....(if by all, I mean, I am so dang excited I could just about pee in my pants).
The kids with their new scooters. Thanks Santa!
And Miss Evel Knievel herself. The sidewalks of Sioux Falls will never be the same.
Ella with the one gift she was really, really hoping for and has now become an official appendage of her body.
Love the new pants, Dad! I wonder who found those idiotic looking things?
Professionally styled by Uncle Joshy...
Ready for church...
We should have probably coordinated Jason's outfit with the rest of ours a little bit better.
Grace giving Sequence lessons...
Happy as a lark....
Luckily even though the snow didn't stop, the temperature was warm enough for the kids to escape the insane asylum to participate in some snow frolicking...
Back inside but still squirrelly....
Josh and Grace burned off calories by rocking the "Dancing With The Stars" Wii game...
And then it was time to test out their pipes and the new karaoke machine. 
A sweeter version of "Single Ladies" has never been crooned....
Next up, "Wits and Wagers". Joshy takes his game playing very seriously...
Sunday, we were able to dig out and brave the interstate. We were greeted with about four feet of hard, crusty snow piled in front of our driveway (thanks, Mr. Plow Driver for the Christmas gift). Jason pulled on his coveralls and got after it while the girls and I lugged in box after box and bag after bag of presents and treats. I then, quickly mixed up a vat of cheesy hashbrown potatoes and when Jason finished up with his snow removal (the first phase anyway), we took off for Nicole's for the Kolb Christmas celebration. As expected, we had a fabulous time eating, chatting and slide show viewing...
We were treated to a "Hoedown, Showdown"...
Secretly Byron has always longed to be a cowboy...
And now it is time to deal with the aftermath. I have been bitten by the "purge this house and organize until you can't organize anymore" bug. Presents need to find a home, closets need to be cleaned, old pots and pans need to go away to make room for my new pretty, orange Rachel Ray cookware and the toy room needs an overhaul. Somewhere in between those "have to's", I am sure we will find plenty of time to enjoy many "want to's" that make Christmas break the most anticipated week of the school year. Hopefully some sleeping in, maybe a viewing of "Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakquel" and for sure some sledding. We most definitely have enough "have to's" and "want to's" to keep us busy for a long time. Enough even if we were to get snowed in. I'm sure hoping we don't though!
