Nebraska Christmas trip

We had planned on being home in Montana for Christmas this year.  Craig & Lindsay were spending Christmas with Lindsay's family in Kansas, and Tony & Amy were at Amy's parents' in Nebraska.  When John & Lynn, Amy's parents, heard we would be home and nothing big was planned for a Fast Christmas here, they invited us down to join them.  Craig & Lindsay had decided weeks before to go to Nebraska on the 26th to see Tony & Amy, and meet Natalie for the first time.  By going to John & Lynn's, we would be able to have a family Christmas with our whole family when Craig & Lindsay got there.  Of course that sounded great!

We had planned on leaving on the 23rd, arriving on the 24th, but the weather reports were forecasting winter storms.  We didn't want to be stranded, so left early, at noon on the 22nd.  We got as far as North Platte, NE, figuring it was better to be by the interstate, than on state roads.  We traveled in heavy fog in MT, WY and SD, wet roads, snow, but nothing that was bad enough to close roads.  Wednesday the 23rd, we started east from North Platte toward Hastings.  We ran into slushy roads and ice part way.  Not the best weather to be traveling in.  We did arrive in Hastings, going to Amy's grandma's house where we were to stay.  Colleen Hohlen is a treasure!  She loves to take care of people, is a great cook, and has a real gift of hospitality.  The extended Hohlen family Christmas tradition includes Christmas Eve service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, then to Elmer & Colleen's home for supper and gift exchange.  Elmer, Amy's grandpa, passed away this fall, and was missed very much.  As family gathered at church, the storm was getting worse, with drifts across the roads were starting to become an issue.  We enjoyed a beautiful service at church, then headed back to Colleen's.  The aunts all bring a crock pot of homemade soup and everyone brings goodies to share.  After supper, everyone gathered upstairs for gifts.  Amy opened baby gifts with the help of her cousin Claire, then we had the white elephant gift exchange.  It was a lot of fun.

Tony, Amy & Natalie dressed for Christmas Eve service.  Isn't Natalie adorable?  The other two look good too.

Amy & Claire opening gifts