Unfortunately this year with Travis' sister's family moving to Des Moines we weren't sure if we were going to be able to make that Christmas Eve tradition happen. However, Heather/Kirk and the kids graciously invited us to come join them in Des Moines for Christmas Eve in order to keep the tradition going.
The weather decided it would try to interfere...
This is Interstate 74 on the way to Ben/Kay's house on Christmas Eve morning.
What should have been a 40 minute drive took an hour and a half. We were thankful to arrive safely and with out any trouble.
It is also a Stecher family tradition to have Oyster stew on Christmas Eve. Because we didn't think oyster's would keep for the drive to Des Moines we decided to have oyster stew at Travis' parents before we left. Travis, Ben, and Kay enjoyed yummy stew, and I got an exemption this year!!! However, I did feast on ham sandwiches and a relish tray!
Because of what Travis and I encountered on 74 we weren't sure what we would find on I-80 so we decided to leave early. We were pleasantly surprised! The roads were clear, and the sun was out. We were able to make the 2 hour 45 minute drive in just over 3 hours! Not bad for Christmas Eve.
Once gathered at the Chervenka's house we were able to play with the 3 nieces and nephews, eat lots of food, and catch up with everyone!
This is all 9 of the "Stecher" family shortly after we got there!
(we decided to do pictures before the frenzy of presents)
(ingenious idea!)
Somehow Tyler, the youngest, continued to get chocolate from Chocolate animal crackers all over his face :)
Can you guess who the "supplier" was?
Look at all those big boy teeth in the picture on the left!
Uncle Travis and Tyler play peek a boo in the new Cars tent
Aunt Misty and Annica make jewelry with Annica's new jewelry maker
Uncle Travis and Caleb play with the new farm toy.
We decided to head home around 6:30PM in order to get home before 10 and to let the Chervenka's start getting ready for bed. Again, the drive home was wonderful, clear roads, stars in the sky...I think I might have seen Santa's sleigh....
Then we got to Williamsburg (where Tanger Outlet mall is). In between Willamsburg and Iowa City we came over a hill and saw flashing lights. As we got closer it appeared there was an accident up ahead. We slowed to a stop and we waited...and waited....and waited....AND WAITED!
This is the view when I got out of the car.
Two semi's in the west bound lane crossed their lanes, the middle grassy area, and the two westbound lanes (ours) and then crashed in the westbound far ditch. (my source is the truck driver who sat next to us during the wait.)
We pulled to a stop at a little before 8:30PM and didn't move again until 11:35PM. We sat for 3 hours. Well, Kay and I sat for 3 hours, Ben and Travis got out of the car multiple times to stretch, ironically enough it happened when Kay and I started a game of Name that Show tune....
I think it was the diesel fumes leaking from our friendly trucker next door...
Once we got moving again, we had smooth sailing er....driving...back to the Stecher Chateau in Rock Island.
We were thankful to be home safe, warm, and with lots of fun memories of Christmas Eve 2008!
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