I am going to just skip Christmas this year. At least that is what I thought I would do. Mission failed (in the best way possible). I had gone into my boss' office to beg for the Friday before Christmas off. I decided that skipping Christmas was really the worst idea ever...with Mike gone, I needed a family Christmas more than ever. My boss really tried to give me the day I needed off, but he resigned that he just couldn't do it. A couple hours later, my boss called me into his office. He couldn't give me Friday off, but he could give me Christmas Eve off. Are you kidding me? Christmas Eve off...don't mind if I do :)
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| Courtesy of Kim Venzon |
With not even two weeks until Christmas, I booked a flight. I decided not to let everyone know that I was coming. I told mom (someone had to pick me up from the airport) that I would be arriving the day of our family Christmas (Saturday this year). Everyone else was completely surprised by my presence. We had a great family Christmas filled with food, drinks, and presents. The only things that were missing were Mike and Buckley. Although, Buckley did have a pretty good time at doggy daycare...here is her holiday portrait.
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I was also able to surprise the Sands family. It was so great to see Madelynne and Emily; these are the girls that I lived with for a good chunk of their childhood. I cannot believe that it had been over a year since I had seen them last. Luckily, the Sands were gracious about letting me crash their Christmas celebrations. We went to Julie's parents' house for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, and I was woken up to the cries of "Santa came, Santa came" on Christmas morning.
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| Maddy, me, Em |
My holiday trip was capped off with a trip to the casino with the parents, Grandma, and Aunt Eileen. We gambled a little and shared a delicious meal. My trip home for the holidays was everything I needed...a good dose of family and friends. Coming home to a snuggley puppy wasn't terrible either :)
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| Thanks Aunt Eileen for the rawhide Christmas Card! |
