Iowa

Nov 21-25

UA6048 IAH-MCI, UA2390 MCI-IAH

For Thanksgiving this year we flew into Kansas City.  This makes for a longer drive to Iowa City, but is quite convenient for Des Moines and has good non-stop flights from Toronto and Houston.  I flew in on Tuesday night and stayed by the airport.  Tom joined me first thing on Wednesday morning, and we made our way to Iowa City where the family gathered for a great family Thanksgiving.  After the big gathering, we headed to Des Moines for home more time with Tom’s parents,before making our way back home through Kansas City.

Nov 22

As part of our normal tradition, we have a gathering on Wednesday night at Tom’s brother’s house as the family arrives in town.

Me looking serious

Tom’s Mom

Niece Margaret mugging for the camera

Nov 23

For Thanksgiving, we had a slow start to the day at the hotel, and then made our way back to Tom’s brother’s for the official gathering.

Ernie looking uncharacteristically calm

Grand nephew WIlder enjoying the wonders of a glass door

Another great candid

Cauliflower extravaganza

Nephew Andrew

Sam looking quite grown up

Margaret looking serious

Sample of the feast

Emma showing her best smile

Brother and sisterly love

Patrick towering over Carol

Matt and WIlder, father and son

Ryan’s girl friend Skylar’s first Hopson family Thanksgiving

Ryan playing with his nephew

More of Wilder

Tom’s brother Mike

Sam showing her displeasure with the camera

Tom’s father

Nov 25

After making our way back to Des Moines, we stayed downtown for a change, and took advantage of the sunny morning to explore some of the nearby area.

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates

Des Moines River

Looking up to the golden roof of the State Capitol building

After having breakfast, we make our way back to Kansas City to catch our flights to Toronto and Houston.