Christmas adventures

The weather in Idaho has definitely been "white" this year. Though we didn't think we were going to make it to the Badham family Christmas party (in Bountiful) this year, the roads cleared up in time for us to go. While we were at the party on Christmas Eve, we heard rumor of a huge storm that was to hit Utah and Idaho early Christmas morning. We checked the weather forecase and, sure enough, it was to dump snow for at least 24 hours straight. So, we decided to head home after the party in hopes of beating the storm.

The freeway we usually take up to our house (I-84) was closed in patches, so we decided to head home over the Malad pass and through Pocatello. As we hit the Idaho state line, the weather began to get progressively worse. We were blessed, though, to be behind a snow plow over the Malad pass and to not hit two deer grazing at the bottom of the mountain. Also, we were fortunate that the worst of the storm hit while we were in Pocatello and not where we would be stranded in the cold. As we pulled into Pocatello, the visibility was completely gone due to drifting snow.

And that is how we ended up spending Christmas in a Red Lion in Pocatello.

Aubrey was so cute opening her presents. It was fun to see her get really excited for the various little things (i.e. a Mike Wazowski and Sully set from the DI, a set of playdough which she calls"cups," and a set of three chapsticks which she calls "yips.")

Christmas Day, I was also plagued with a bought of the stomach flu (thanks to Aubrey, who had it on Tuesday). Richard was sweet and played with Aubrey while I was feeling rotten. He pushed her around the lobby on a baggage cart and gave her a bath. 

After spending two nights in Pocatello and over five hours driving, we finally made it back to our house this morning. Phew. That's a Christmas for the books.