Polar Bear Plunge

Lots going on around here the past week.  We woke up to have Christmas morning at home with the kids.  Soon after unwrapping our presents the family loaded up for the trip to West Salem.  There was more unwrapping and visiting and eating and laughing.  After a wonderful day with my family we headed west once again.

 WARNING: NO CHILDREN WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS POST

This time we stopped in O'Fallon for the night.  After a late morning breakfast we headed up to the room to prepare for our polar bear plunge......

We swam in the indoor/outdoor pool at the hotel.

The kids thought it was the greatest thing in the world.

I believe the outside air temperature was hovering in the upper twenties when we were swimming outside.  The water in the outside part of the pool was steaming it was so warm compared to the air. As long as we kept our shoulders under water it wasn't bad at all in spite of the temperature of the air. 

There was SNOW on the pool deck and on the chairs and tables around the pool.

I dared John to get out of the water and sit in one of the chairs.  I even offered him cash if he'd do it.

He refused.

Smart kid, that one.

We finally coaxed Grant to swim under the dividing wall with David holding him.  Once he saw he could get to the outside pool, he was hooked.  The two of them went back and forth from inside to outside the rest of the time they were in the pool.

I convinced Grace to try it one time.  She went, but wasn't much interested in a repeat performance.  She doesn't like getting her face in the water unless she has to.

We had a great time swimming.  After warming up in the hot tub, we headed to the room to pack up and continue on our way toward Carrollton. 

We spent the next two days celebrating Christmas with David's mom and brother and niece.  We had a nice visit before heading back to our own state once more.

More to tell, and pictures to load, but I think I'll save the rest for another time!

Happy partying!!