I love my niece and nephew!!!!

Over the weekend, Matt and I took a trip to Iowa to meet our new niece, Alexis. It was a short trip but we got to spend some good quality time with our niece and nephew. It was so fun to just sit around and play with our nephew and hold our niece. It was also good to catch up with my sister in law, Jeni, as I don't get to see her nearly enough.

Besides spending quality time with Aiden, Alexis, and Jeni, I was able to get a 10.5 mile training walk in which was great. My brother, Joe, and his fiance, Allie, were nice enough to join me on this walk, even though I am pretty sure they were regretting that decision by the end. They were definitely pleased when I decided to get up early and do another 6 miles without them. I really enjoyed the company on the walk.

Saturday night, my whole family (all 11 of us now....the group keeps growing) went to dinner at my favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse! It was absolutely amazing! I overate but was okay with that as I only get to eat at Texas Roadhouse about once a year. It was so nice to have everyone together to enjoy a nice meal together.

Overall, it was a great weekend! I was so glad we were able to see everyone during such a brief visit.

A Week in Iowa!

Traveling is a large part of my job as an auditor. It is a rare occasion that my work brings me somewhere that is close to family and friends. This last week I was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for work which was great as it meant that I got to spend time with this little man....

I had an absolute blast hanging out with my brother, Robert, sister in law, Jeni, and my wonderful nephew Aiden. It was so nice to spend a week surrounded by my wonderful family! It was so fun to play hide'n'seek, puzzles, and other fun things with my nephew who I don't see nearly enough. It was a great time. I hope to be back in the area soon to be able to spend time with them again.

Thanks to Robert, Jeni and Aiden for their hospitality.

Christmas in Iowa

Matt and I are on a rotating holiday schedule with our families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We spend one of the two major holidays with one side of the our families and alternate based on the year. This year it was our year to spend Christmas in Iowa.

Our trip was filled with multiple Christmases, too much food, games, relaxing, family (and lots of it) and shopping. It was a short visit (Friday-Monday) jam packed with activities. We were both completely exhausted by the time we got back to Minnesota on Monday evening.

Friday night, we got to town and celebrated Christmas with my siblings (Robert, Jeni, Joe, Allie, and Hillary) as well as our nephew, Aiden. This is a tradition we started last year in which we go to Robert and Jeni's house, eat dinner (pot luck style) and then open presents and hang out. It is always a good chance to get together, catch up, and just relax before the holiday festivities. Matt and I got nice gifts from the gift exchange...Matt = drill bits, Heather = Cookie Baking Cookbook and Yankee vanilla scented candles...we were both in heaven.

Saturday was by far the busiest day of our trip. It included brunch with Robert, Jeni, Aiden, Hilllary and my parents. Lunch with Joe, Allie, Hillary and my parents. Church at St. Pat's. Gaffey Christmas at my parents house. Aiden opening his presents after all of that and then calling it an evening.

Sunday (Christmas) was one of my favorite days! It was very relaxed and filled with family time. We ate breakfast and then opened presents. Matt and I both got very nice things including a Craftsmen Professional Lunch box and drill bits for Matt and I got a "Walker Home, Est. 2011" sign made by my favorite designer, a snowman to add to my vintage Christmas collection and some jewelry. After gifts, we went to my Grandpa Bob's house to show him wedding photos and just hang out with him for a bit. Then we went home, had a variety of foods for lunch, played sequence, and just hung out. It was great! The evening ended with a steak and potatoes dinner followed by watching the movie "A dolphin tale" as a family. When I think of Sunday, it was exactly how Christmas was supposed to be...filled with special family moments, relaxing, full of food, games, fun and laughter.

Monday....another Christmas tradition for my family is Day After Christmas Shopping in Cedar Rapids. It was great. Joe, Allie, Hillary, my parents, Matt and I all made the trek and stocked up on a bunch of Christmas decor for next year. I am so excited for all of the new Christmas decor and entertaining pieces that I got both shopping the day after Christmas and as Christmas gifts. Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things to do so this gives me something to look forward to.

Now we are back in Minnesota recovering from our trip to Iowa.

We asked Aiden to smile for a photo and this is what we got....silly Uncle Joe and Aiden.

All he wanted for Christmas was a box...



Our first Christmas together as husband and wife.



He is going to be a track star some day!

He loves his new chair.

Matt and Abby taking a nap!

Aiden and his mommy!

Christmas Eve

Robert and my mom

Me and my nephew Aiden...love him!

Jeni and I on Christmas Eve

Joe and his kids, Lucy and Jax

Allie and I on Chrsitmas Day!

The newly engaged couple

Married and enjoying a 4-wheeler ride.

Iowa vs. Minnesota

Once a Hawkeye fan, always a Hawkeye fan....however I do have to give props to the Minnesota Gophers for beating us by 1 point this year (second year in a row that Minnesota has won). This is my favorite game of the year for Iowa football. However, in years like this I have to be ready to take any comments that my in-laws may make as they are well deserved after a 22-21 win by Minnesota.

Just because I live in Minnesota doesn't mean that I am a Gophers fan (even though my husband is!).

GO HAWKS!