My Storybook Christmas (Throwback from 2011)

It was a Friday morning. Well, it seemed more like Thursday night, because the sun was still a few hours away from showing its splendor. I had just worked over 40 hours in 4 short days, in preparation for my impending vacation. To top it off, I was definitely coming down with something, which made the 10+ hour workdays that week much more difficult to bear. So, needless to say, I was in serious need of some time away! Add to that, the stress of getting the family packed for 8 days away, and ensuring Christmas presents went out to all of the places they needed to go to. Taking the show on the road for Christmas is no doubt a stressful feat!

So, we arrived at the airport on time after making a pit stop at the store for some last minute necessities. We talked Colten into putting on a pull-up under his “big boys,” as he likes to call them, so that if any accidents did take place over the long journey, they would be easy to clean up. I was so proud of him that even though he had a trusty pull-up on, and even though we were traveling for over 12 hours, he didn’t have one accident! Not to mention, what a well behaved little boy he was!

I had several moments that day, in which I just had to stop and pay notice to how truly blessed I was…blessed to be going on vacation with my two favorite people, blessed to have a husband that is such a great father, and blessed to have a son that is the light of my life. It is times like these that just make me stop and awe at the fact that the three of us are a family. It seems to be something that I somehow take for granted a lot of the time. I guess the sheer magnitude of it escapes me from time to time. Despite the great times we had, the wonderful people we saw and met, and the beautiful places we visited, the single greatest part of our vacation was having that time to spend together as a family.

 

We departed from Pensacola, heading to Providence, via Atlanta, which was the cheapest option in fares. However, we ended up having a dreadful 4-hour layover in Atlanta, which is why our overall trip time was so long. Colten had been flying on an airplane several times prior to this, but this was his first trip to have his own designated seat. Such a big boy! We were prepared with many options for in-flight entertainment, some high tech, some old fashioned. The important thing is that we were able to keep him engaged and therefore he behaved for the most part. The long layover in Atlanta wasn’t as bad as we were expecting either. Colten made fast friends with one of the ladies that drove the golf carts from one end of the terminal to the other. She offered to give us a ride, which was likely the highlight of Colten’s day. He was such a little ham and drew the attention of most of the people situated around us, who were giving Colten adoring looks. I was thankful for this, because I try my best to keep from disturbing people, which is sometimes very hard to do with a toddler. So, if he was at all being loud and obnoxious, they at least thought he was cute in doing so.

My favorite Colten story of the day, however, took place on the tar mac in Providence at the end of our flight. While we were awaiting the cabin doors to be opened and the people in front of us to clear out, Colten was getting restless and kept grabbing at the seat in front of him trying to get a peek at the people up there. When Jeff told him that he shouldn’t grab that man’s seat or he might get upset at him, Colten responded by asking, “Why? Is he going to take his belt off?” To this, everyone within earshot began laughing.

Once we made our way out of the secure terminal area in Providence, we were quickly greeted by Jeff’s Aunt Carol and Uncle Dave. As I mentioned before, this was my first time to meet them. Their warm greeting immediately made me feel comfortable and welcomed, not at all like an awkward first meeting. It was reminiscent of many airport greetings I have experienced in all of the years that I have lived far and away from my loved ones. There is almost nothing better than an enthusiastic greeting at the airport after a trip. Granted, some of its grandiose has been stolen away due to Post-9/11 airport regulations.

I was excited at the fact that this was my first visit to both Rhode Island and Connecticut. Although, my picture of Rhode Island was a little more story book than it actually was thanks to Me, Myself and Irene. Additionally, it was getting dark, so I couldn’t immediately take in all of the scenery. Jeff’s Aunt and Uncle’s house was about a 45 minute drive from Providence. When we arrived, we were greeted by their two dogs, Molly and Buddy, a black lab and golden retriever.  Colten fell in love with Buddy almost immediately. Not too long after we arrived, I went in the living room to find Colten asleep on the rug alongside Buddy. It was precious. 

The house was just as warm and inviting as Jeff had described it to be. I could already tell that this was going to be one of those picturesque Christmases that you read about in books…a beautiful, cozy New England house in the Connecticut countryside, family coming in for the week from their respective homes, with no obligations but to celebrate and spend time together.

Jeff’s cousin, Michelle, came in the next day (Christmas Eve) with her family from New Hampshire. She and her husband also have two children and two dogs that they brought along. So, by this time we had 6 adults 3 children and 4 dogs. Snug. But not cramped. I was happy to finally meet Michelle. We were fast friends, and it felt like we had known each other for a long time. I love how family is family. Whether you have just met, or known each other your whole lives, you feel connected just the same. Unfortunately, I was also starting to feel much worse by this time. I assume the plane ride helped whatever bug I had along. I tried my best to not let my sickness get in my way though.

Christmas morning was just as story-book as I had hoped it would be. The children awoke to stockings above the fireplace and many presents under the tree - the most substantial gifts were left there, unwrapped from Santa Clause. And even though Jeff and I had neglected to buy things to fill our stockings, Santa Clause had filled them too. Thanks again, “Santa.” We enjoyed watching everyone open their gifts and watching the kids play with their favorite new toys. The majority of the day was spent in our pajamas, like it should be. We had tasty delights and an all-around picture perfect holiday. Later that day, Jeff’s cousin Mark and his family and two dogs also came for the night. This brought the tally to 8 adults, 4 children, and 6 dogs. It only verged on cramped, but still cozy. There were two bathrooms but only one shower, so we had to plan showers carefully. Christmas night, we had a wonderful feast, which was the norm for every night we were there. Jeff has often bragged about his Aunt Carol’s cooking and I definitely see why.

[Side note: this is where I left off in my journal so now I am going from memory to finish describing our trip. Keep in mind, this is now 2 ½ years later…ugh! I really wish I would’ve finished this then, because it is such a nice memory to relive.]

In the following days we visited Jeff’s mom and step dad at their place, or as Colten calls them, Grammy Pammy and Papa Leo. The highlight of this trip for Colten, even more so than the presents, was Papa Leo’s dump truck. He just lit up at seeing that thing close up. Colten, at this age (3 years old) was obsessed with trucks. So this was very exciting for him. He still talks about Papa Leo’s truck two years later!

 

We later went for a visit at Aunt Cindy’s house. (Cindy is Grammy Pammy’s sister.) I got to meet even more of Jeff’s family, including his cousins, Kelly and Chrissy. I loved to hear their stories of Jeff as a boy. It was such a nice time, and once again I was taken aback by how much I felt right at home and like family there. I also really enjoyed seeing a new side of Jeff as I took in how he interacted with his family.  His cousin Sharon, who couldn’t be there that night, had taken family portraits of us earlier on that week. The portraits were a present from Grammy Pammy. Sadly, these are the only official family portraits we have ever taken to this day. This has something to do with the fact that neither Jeff nor I love to have our pictures taken. But Sharon was so nice and she did such a fantastic job, she made it a great experience!

 

Unfortunately, my health further degraded throughout our trip. Enough so, that we visited an Urgent Care clinic. In the same fashion that keeps me from going to the doctor whenever I am sick, they told me it was likely viral and that I had to ride it out, but gave me antibiotics just in case I didn’t get better soon. Some help that was! This was the day that Jeff and I decided to go into Boston; something that I was really looking forward to since I had heard such wonderful things about the city. We left Colten at home with Aunt Carol and Uncle Dave and headed out. But the urgent care clinic took up a big part of the day and we almost decided not to go. We ended up stopping in Braintree and went to the mall…big waste. This only added to the walking we did that day and I was wearing uncomfortable shoes. We took the T into downtown and let me tell you, by this time I was miserable. It was exceptionally cold, my feet hurt, and my whole body was achy from what I can only surmise was the flu. Jeff and I stumbled about aimlessly with no real plans and I tried not to be miserable. It was a big fail. We ended up leaving, both frustrated that we didn’t have a good time at all. To make matters worse, a day or so later Mark and Michelle went into Boston and returned with stories of a wonderful, fun filled trip. The trip I wish I had. Next time, we’ll have a plan, I will dress appropriately, and preferably I won’t be sick! The big plus to the day, however, was when we came home and saw what all the gang had been up to. It looks like Colten had bundles of fun. Hey, at least one of us did!

 

Later in the week, in a bid to take in some of the New England scenery, Jeff, Colten and I took a trip to Mystic, Connecticut. This town was the setting for the film Mystic Pizza. I was still feeling crummy, but a little better. This turned out to be a great day, full of great memories. We took in the sights of the town and the Seaport and had brunch at a place called the Tiny Diney. We then went to the Mystic Aquarium and even though it was freezing, had a great time. The whole day was just great family time.  

 

We also had the chance to visit with Jeff’s grandmother and grandfather during our trip. Theirs is a story for another post. Let me just tell you, they are some of the sweetest people and they have a love that is so precious. I can tell why Jeff loves and respects them so much! 

When it came time to leave, I was truly sad. I can’t even explain to you how enlightening, relaxing, and enjoyable my trip was. And to think, I was sick the whole time and still wouldn’t trade it for anything! I so fell in love with Jeff’s family…my family. I can vividly remember the feeling I had when Aunt Carol and Uncle Dave dropped us off at the airport that day…sad and forlorn, but so glad to have had the experience.


Aunt Carol and Uncle Dave w/ Colten