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This post is a potpurri of highlights from our trip. Round one:

• The story of the washer. Settling down after a long drive.
• Stopping by the farm, checking on the ducks, and seeing Miriam. She gives the best hugs.
• Dinner at Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill’s for Christmas Eve with my cousin Pam, her husband John, their kids Rachael, Jacob and Gloria, and our family. Tasty cinnamon rolls and orange rolls like we always had at Grandma Woodmansee’s house. Catching up on news from school, work, sports and vacations. Trying not to notice that the Colts lost.
• 10pm Christmas Eve service, seeing lots of old friends from church including Becky Anker and her brother Daniel, who I used to babysit. It’s hard to believe that she has graduated from college with her degree in Social Work and Daniel is a senior in high school. As Becky reminded me, I used to change Daniel’s diapers. Mom’s co-worker’s daughter Tara sang a beautiful rendition of “O Holy Night.” I got to chat with my “Friend in Faith” Sandy, who listened and encouragegd me through junior high.
• Christmas Day at my grandparents, eating beef and noodles, turkey and mashed potatoes, and “strawberry goop.” Another bow and tag added to the pretty boxes. Discovering that Sarah loves cool whip too. Seeing Sue for a quick visit.
• Christmas Night with Grandma Krueger, Aunt Diane and Uncle Mike, Leslie and Ken, Brian’s father Steve. Everyone got socks and hoodies to keep them warm. Ken now knows that Anise is a flavoring (not a body part).
• Day after Christmas with Grandma Hume, Brian’s mom Barb, Leslie and Ken. Eating “fun rum balls” and lebkuchens and fudge. Going through old dresses and toys in the basement. Playing Pit after a tasty dinner including brussels sprouts from the garden. Gift themes were pajamas and picture frames.

After we saw everyone once, we went on to Round Two, just hanging out for a while with our parents and siblings:

• Exploring Oak Openings. Brian and I made it around the Scout Trail perimeter to Swan Creek before flooding sent us back to retrace our steps. We met up with Ken, who had taken off running a few hours after we started. The three of us walked the rest of the way back to the car. Ken got in an hour’s trail run, we did a 12 mile hike.
• Circuit City makes it hard to purchase anything, even when you know what you want and are trying to pay for all three items, not just the one they scanned.
• More Pit, another stop to see Grandma K and Grandma H.
• Hanging out with Mom on Friday afternoon. Doing dishes together. Cooking salmon on Friday and steak on Saturday. Tasty cherry cobbler, made from cherries from the back yard.
• Driving around Waynedale looking at houses my Dad didn’t buy. Checking out the house my Dad did buy and is fixing up – it’s really nice and was a great deal!
• Taking a long walk around the neighborhood with Dad.
• Picking turnips in the rain before church on Sunday.
• Seeing another girl I used to babysit, Emily, who is now married and expecting her first child in February. Giving Kay a hug and catching up on how Will is doing. Sitting with Bev.
• Seeing my friend Dawn’s new house. It’s beautiful – lots of room, nice neighborhood, cute yard, great character. Catching up on a year of life’s happenings over a cup of tea.
• Spending New Year’s with my brother Rich and his wife Sarah. Playing with Mia and Jack, their friendly and entertaining Boston Terriers. Laughing out loud at the comedy club, and cheering when Rich won a door prize. Playing Blokus and Phase 10 until 2am. Toasting the new year together. Wondering what Jack would run into first in 2007 (the coffee table at 10am).

We did pretty well on the to-do lists. Barb’s toilet got fixed and we set up her new TV. Her computer and my parents’ computer got updates. We discovered that the old computer we had in high school wouldn’t boot. I put together a lamp for my Dad. We reviewed financial info with my parents and discussed long term care and annuities. Mom and I requested copies of her credit report.
There’s always more to do than time to do it, but we had fun, relaxed, and got to see lots of people we love.