Jingle All the Way

En route back to DC as I type. As usual, last night was rough and the first leg of my flight was a big tear laden and snot filled. Always hard to leave loved ones and head back to reality. My vacation was fairly relaxing. I did catch a cold which hindered my plans that I had in mind for this holiday season, but there was also a lack of snow and open ski resorts this year, so I wasn’t missing much when I was home feeling a little less than stellar.
First stop was in Seattle to see many of my amazing friends. I was able to squeeze in a few nights of going out, a run around Greenlake with Sara and Carly,dinner at Cactus, bonding sesh with Monica, shopping with Sara, brunch with the PC, dinner with Brooke (meeting Pearl, seeing her adorable abode and wedding chat!), a real cup of Starbucks and then my first Seattle lightrail experience. Seattle was wonderful and I am so blessed and thankful to have the chance to stop of there on my way home for Christmas. Naturally I hardly took any pictures when I was there (tres sad).

View from Sara’s office

PCO’Flare Brunch. Everyone was a bit sleep deprived.

Pike Place Market at Sunset.

Chowder Lunch with Sara.

Monica bough tequila. Oh. No.

I flew home mid-day and was able to grab dinner with my dad before heading home to say hello to my favorite poodle.



As usual I had to cram all of my Christmas shopping into the few precious days before the 25th and set out to get some of it done as soon as I could the next day. After running around and accomplishing some shopping I got to head home to see Nicole and Wyatt who had driven down from Sun Valley. Wyatt has gotten cuter (if that is possible) and has a vocabulary like no ones business.

Playing with Gramps train under the tree

Getting a little hair cut. Curls didn’t go away!

Tickle. He asks you to tickle him.

Sadly both my mom and I came down with some nasty colds/sinus infections/etc. and we ended up being home bound many of the days I was home. I did get to spend lots of time with Wyatt and Nicole. and some how managed to finish all my shopping with a little bit to spare.
Christmas eve was spent at my aunts doing our traditional dinner, drinks, gift game and presents event. It is one of my favorite nights of the entire year and I am always looking forward to seeing my cousins, aunt and uncle.

Opening one of the first gifts of the traditional gift game. Lotter Tickets of course.

Drawing the next name. Drinks.

Ham.

Playing race with his cousin.

Reading the new Brown Bear Brown Bear book with cousins.

Opening Idaho gear. Complete with beer of choice.

Christmas morning was complete with rolls stockings and getting a start on opening gifts. Wyatt had even more than last year and I kid you not when I say we were still opening gifts at 9pm! Wyatt enjoyed taking his sweet time and wanted to play with each gift as he opened it…so it took awhile to get through the pile.

Thomas, the remote controlled train.

Opening his fire truck. (This is Christmas evening when we were in different jammies and STILL opening gifts).

Wyatt loved the chocolate peanut butter balls and even helped himself to another bon bon.

Theo was chewing his paws….so Wyatt decided to too.

The last few days were spent exchanging gifts,baking, taking naps, cuddling with the poodle, walks with Wyatt, gingerbread house decorating (Wyatt’s First!) watching movies, grabbing lunch and brunch with friends.

Wyatt’s first gingerbread house! He was more into eating the candy and licking the frosting off the house.

Needless to say. The house was a masterpiece.

Go Caps!

Brunch with some of my favorite people in Idaho.

The return to DC came all too quickly and I am not looking forward to returning to work or the reality of bigkidlife.
On my flight to SFO I had to really think of things I am looking forward to to distract me from being too upset and scaring the person next to me with my tears. I did come up with some great things: I am looking forward to seeing the man, having a three day weekend after a short Friday at the office, taking an art class with Ben, catching up with friends. And longer term I am looking forward to a ski trip in March, my second niece/nephew’s arrival in April, and Brooke’s wedding in May.