And Babies Make Four: Christmas Vacation Part 1

Friday, January 4, 2013

Christmas Vacation Part 1

Unfortunately, the big extended family Christmas that we do every other year was cancelled this year due to my aunt's (by marriage) mother's health. Christmas in my family has always been huge. Lots of cousins, lots of family, lots of presents, lots of food, lots of days. My sisters and I all miss these big family Christmases all 25 of us spending a few days prior and a few days after Christmas at one persons house. With my mom's family spread out around the eastern portion of the US, all the families would make the journey to the designated Christmas location. It changed yearly and I fondly remember driving "home" for Christmas.

We decided to reinvent family Christmas this year by renting a cabin in the mountains with just our immediate family. There were fights beforehand of how much work it would be to take two little babies and all their stuff to a new location, the overwhelming rush of making sure everything was packed, and the chaos of getting all the presents purchased 4 days prior to Christmas. For the record, my husband is totally against traveling for Christmas and thinks that children should always wake up in their own beds Christmas morning. I understand that sentiment but also cherish memories of sleeping 6 to a room with all my cousins and waking up the entire house to see if Santa came! I think he may have changed his mind after this Christmas.

I secretly reveled in the "stress" of packing the car for Christmas. It reminded me of my parents' joint ventures (and funny arguments) of years past. I challenge myself to be as good a packer as my mother. She always made EVERYTHING fit. Santa did not come early, he always delivered all of our presents where ever we spent Christmas.

two babies, two dogs, to adults, presents, two pairs of skis...

I was giddy driving to the mountain. I felt JUST like a kid again waiting to get to Christmas. As we climbed the mountain, the ground was covered in the snow and our little cabin was Christmas white. After a little bickering in the driveway (Jay tried to navigate the steep,icy driveway with all of us in the car) we unloaded and started to enjoy Christmas at the Cabin.

the icy driveway (mind you the part behind us was perfectly clear... no need to drive up this way!)

The side of the cabin

enjoying time with our elves before everyone arrived

Upon arrival, we learned that the water was turned off. The guys spent the better part of two hours trying to find the main to turn on (eventually the maintenance man had to come). By that time it was getting late and we were STARVING. My sister made the suggestion for Golden Corral and we all surprisingly agreed. I cannot tell you the last time we have eaten there (maybe a soccer tournament?) but damn that food was good and hit the spot!

The following day we enjoyed a huge breakfast the Dan'l Boone Inn and then went back to the cabin for some playtime