Holiday Road Trip!

Note: Pictures probably could be added to this post, but I can't find the energy to go get the camera and download the pictures from it...

Living in the same state as your family and your spouse's family adds a new dynamic to the holidays. It used to be where it was IMPOSSIBLE to make it to both places in a weekend as well as the travel to and from our home. Now, after 3 years of a road trip to one place, we did the unthinkable and road tripped to both families.

We left Wednesday afterrnoon after packing up clothes, our gifts, and the dogs and headed to my parents. My parents have become the unofficial dog sitters (though I think my sister and potentially them are revoking this title). We ate dinner and spent some family time with them that night.

Then on Thursday morning, we got up and packed for the night and headed to the Hubs home town. We got there and ate lunch at one of our favorite places. Did I mention that the Hubs grew up only a few miles from where we went to school? So going to visit is like taking a walk back down memory lane for both of us. After stuffing ourselves silly, we went and visited the Hub's mom for a few. From there, we went shopping and hanging out until 6. At 6, we went to my favorite mexican restaurant from college to meet up with one of my best friends and her two angels boys whom I adore. The boys are both red heads and have great personalities. The Hubs and I both love getting to spend time with them even when they are running on pure sugar. After dinner, we went over to an aunt and uncle's house to spend time with them. It's nice to spend time with them and catch up. We spent a couple of hours over there and then ended the night by spending quite a bit of time with the Hub's mom.

Friday, I got up early and went shopping. One of the downsides (or upsides, depending on how you look at) of living in a small town is there is very little choices for shopping. So, when given the chance to shop at stores such as Target and TJ Maxx, I am all for it. So I did some looking and a little some buying. I still made it back in time to pack and get ready for lunch. On the way to lunch, we stopped at our favorite bakery in town for some goodies (which were left at my parents). We then met the Hub's mom and brother for Christmas Eve lunch where we ate pizza to our hearts content. Then, we went back to the house to open Christmas presents and hang a little while longer.

We left around 4 and headed back to my hometown for Christmas Eve service and the rest of the holiday gatherings. We pulled into Granddad's church just as the Christmas Eve service started. That feels weird to type...Granddad's church. It's been known for so long as Grandma and Granddad's church. It makes me sad that Grandma was not here to celebrate Christmas yet happy to know that she is Heaven and no longer in pain. It was a hard holiday and even harder to think about it now knowing that I'll never have another holiday here on earth that I will get to spend with her. Needless to say, it was sad yet comforting to spend Christmas Eve service at the church that we used to go to almost every year as a child for Christmas Eve service. I did not make it through the service without crying, but what can I say?!?! I'm a softie. After the service, we went back to the house to eat dinner and finish wrapping gifts.

Christmas morning, we woke up and opened gifts as family. We all got alot of neat gifts that we were excited to get. The Hubs got a chimney smoker starter and I got a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer...yes you heard me right....a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! I'm still soooooooo excited about it. Mom and Dad did a great job on gifts....I'm not sure how, but they got us lots of great gifts! I love that they treat the Hubs just like he was one of us. The Hubs and I did Christmas on Wednesday - he got me a new dish set and I got him new prescription sunglasses (and some video games). After presents, we had breakfast with my granddad (mom's dad), grandma (dad's mom), aunt, parents, and my sister. Then, we got ready for afternoon lunch at my aunt's (mom's sister) house. Most of my extended family on that side was there. We ate, opened presents, enjoyed being a family while trying not to dwell on the fact that one of the main members was no longer here on Earth (or atleast that is what I was trying to do..)... By the time we made it back home, we were all so tired we pretty much passed out. That is after setting up some of Dad's fun gifts.

Sunday morning, I got up and made a trip to Target for the After Christmas stuff. I suceed in making Target happy (i.e. spending a fortune) while buying lots of outdoor lights half off. I think we have enough light to make planes take notice of our house. We will attempt to add lights to the house next year. I can't wait! After a lunch of Prime Rib with grandma and an aunt and opening of presents with dad's family, the Hubs and I packed up as much as we could and grabbed the pups to head back home.

All in all, it was a good holiday weekend. It was full of family and fun and laughter which is just what we needed this Christmas season. Still not sure if it felt like Christmas, but I'll take as much time as I can to spend with my family.