free to be

Home for the Holidays...

While most of you were raising a glass and toasting to a very happy St. Patty’s day, Kyle and I headed north to celebrate Christmas-yes, that’s right, Christmas with his side of the family. With the pear trees in full blossom and the weather warm enough to drive with the windows down, we pulled wrapping paper down from the attic and wrapped up all of our gifts. You would think being 3 months behind schedule, we would have at least had the courtesy to mail our beloveds their gifts…but no, I’m afraid, we dropped the ball there, too. Ah, family; the small group of people in this world who are supposed to love us anyway. :) To make things a little more exciting we had to travel with our high maintenance dog. Overall, the trip went well with one major exception. We were cautiously guarded about how Oliver would behave with a crawling infant. As a small, protective and slightly neurotic dog, one just never knows. Much to our delight, biting and barking there was none! But, who would have thought, humping…yes, humping! there was plenty. Riley’s first Christmas and already the tab for future family therapy is beginning.

Besides the trauma with the dog, the impromptu holiday trip was good for the soul. Here were some of the holiday highlights:

The delectable chocolate fountain--which has my nomination to be a family tradition for years to come! It was chocolate heaven.
Riley—our one and only niece who was happy and adorable and makes our world a better place!
Drinks at Claddagh’s an Irish pub on St. Patty’s day with Jim and Lori. Good times. Good drinks. Good company!
Reuniting with Marcia & Greg and Jimmy & Eric. It’s true what they say, there’s no friends like old friends. They were the unexpected icing on the cake for our weekend home.