Our Holiday Getaway

I'm here!  I didn't plan to take such a long hiatus; apparently, I am easing myself back into the new year.  Finn has been working on his two year molars for weeks now (and still nothing has poked through), and therefore his sleep is awful.  I'm so so tired every single day.  By the time both boys are in bed, I really don't want to do anything but lay down.  But here's to a new week.  I've got a massive to-do list staring me down, so I really need to be quite productive.
Way back in 2016, we spent the last week of the year up in the Pacific Northwest with my family.  My parents still wait until I'm home to celebrate Christmas, which I just love them for.  There really is nothing like being "home for the holidays".  I love walking in the door to all the familiar scents, sights, sounds.  It just feels like coming home.  The fireplace now holds many new stockings as our families have grown, and the sight of them all cramped together is one of my favorites.  I love thinking back to all the Christmas mornings of years past in the same family room.  

However, our week didn't go as planned at all.  My dad got very very sick while we were there.  He ended up spending some time in the hospital, which was hard for me to see.  I was happy to be home though.  Even though I didn't necessarily do anything, or help in any way, I felt like I could.  I was there.  I was part of the conversations.  I could give him hugs and be there.  I would have been devastated to be states away if this had happened at another time.  Living away from family is hard.  I want to be there when my parents need me.  So while his illness totally changed our holiday, I was just happy to be there.  It makes you enjoy all the simple moments much more.

We still made it out to the lake house where everyone relaxes.  It's good for all of us!  My dad was still able to be the boys.  Reading books, playing games, even tossing around a football.  The temperatures were freezing during our stay, but we still made it outside each day.  The lake was frozen over, perfect for morning walks & sleds.  And the massive snow banks allowed for fort building.  Liam called all the birds over in the mornings, and we nibbled the best maple bars in all the land.

 My dad is on the mend now and should be totally fine!  We already miss him like crazy, as well as the rest of the family.  The boys can never have enough cousin time, and this trip we were lucky to have the Montana cousins join us for a night at the lake!  I'm itching to be back and feel like we need a re-do visit.  I will be jetting home as soon as Conor's next work trip is planned.