December 26

Still snowing, but the worst of the storm had let up.  It was time for the guys to go out and dig out of the snow.  Snow plows were very busy on the main roads, and the guys were having a fun time clearing out the yard so we could get to the road.  Here Kevin, Amy's brother, is on the 4 wheeler clearing a path up the sidewalk to the front door.

 

The snow drifts were crazy.  This one was outside John & Lynn's family room.  We saw drifts up to the eves of houses and the school as we drove in to Hastings.  Plows had cleared the roads, but they were still drifting, and not great visibility as we drove back to Hastings Saturday morning.  Once we got to Colleen's street, we saw a big drift.  We were able to sneak in the driveway going between the drift and the mailbox.  Warren cleared off the sidewalk and front door as the snow plows came down the street.  Nice to have the plows out, but now we were trapped in the driveway by 3 feet of plowed snow.

 The view out Colleen's front door as Warren shoveled, and the snow plow went by.

Warren was able to shovel an opening big enough for the yukon to back out into the street, and we were on the road again, back to John & Lynn's.  Warren had spent a lot of time online looking at weather and road reports, finding an open route for Craig & Lindsay to take.  They arrived safely, having good roads until into Nebraska a ways.  Amy's brother and wife were also on the road home from Minneapolis.  They had a harder time getting there than Craig & Lindsay, as many roads were closed, or just being plowed.

It was so good to see Craig & Lindsay!!!  They had already been there for a while by the time we came out from Hastings, and had met their newest niece, Natalie.  (Lindsay's brother and his wife have 2 adorable little girls)

 

We opened gifts together after a few pictures.

Warren got an infared thermometer that was entertaining for a while.

Speaking of entertaining, Natalie had discovered her tongue and loved to show everyone what she could do.  She also told us all lots of stories in her cooing and smiles.

After gifts, we played some 10,000, then headed back into Hastings for the night.