Happy Holidays, Part Two

Hope you had a good Christmas - despite the less than perfect weather. We decided by December 23 to postpone our family dinner and gift exchange until Sunday, December 27. With people traveling to our home in West Des Moines from the southern part of the state, it just wasn't worth the risk.

So, on Sunday the entire family- including our children and their families, my parents, and my brother and his family -- joined John and me for a great holiday celebration. I know that all over the state Iowa families were enjoying time with their families too. And that is what the holidays are about, isn't it?

Another thing that I have figured out is that all grandchildren are extremely bright and good-looking. Can you tell that they have grandma and grandpa exactly where they want us to be?

With the Christmas good times behind us, it is time to think about the bowl games. Our house is a house divided since John and I and our three children all have attended either Iowa State University or the University of Iowa. To keep the peace, we cheer for all Iowa teams equally! But this year for the first time I am going to see the school that I attended -- the Iowa Hawkeyes -- play in a bowl game at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Can't wait to get in the sun for a few days and cheer the Hawks to victory! Will send a blog or two along while traveling.

But until time to get on that plane we are busy here at the Capital with budget talks and legislative plans.

Hope you all have a happy new year and wish you the best of luck in 2010!

Until next time,

Patty