Then Bean had her first birthday party and she was awake and generally cheery. All the practice blowing (by reciting the wolf’s line “I’m gonna huff. I’m gonna puff. I’m gonna BLOW the house down.” followed by blowing in her face) didn’t help her understand about blowing out her candle, but that is OK. There is always next year.

I guess a little holiday panic was good? (this is a rhetorical question – no need to respond with how I just need to chill out, mmm k.)

Now, on with 2010!

It started by being delayed four days due to the snow storm. We did the lemons into lemonade thing… we got to spend some great time w/ friends on the snow day and the following days waiting (not so) patiently for our plane to take us home. While waiting, we got a call from the kennel that Itty wasn’t doing well – and… that didn’t turn out well.

Then we finally got on the plane and things were going OK… thankfully! Then we got home and the shuffling between families, pressure to see this person at this time vs. that time w/ that person got to be a bit much. Hubby and I were feeling it and Bean was really feeling it. In fact this whole “time change” thing was beyond her. She went to bed around 6:00 – 6:30 every night, slept VERY poorly, then woke up around 4 – 5 every morning. Then she wouldn’t take good naps unless she was in the car (I ended up driving around for much longer than planned one day, just to get her to sleep a little bit). Hubby was up from about 2 am one night.

Because of our four-day delay, I missed out on seeing our friends in NM.

On the trip back, we woke up at 3:30 to get to the airport early. While we were gone there was a nut job doing stupid things on a flight out of Detroit. I think it was a personal slight against us because he knew we were flying in a few days and he wanted to mess with our trip through security. Then there was a snow storm in Chicago (where we had a layover). There was talk about delays and cancellations – so we asked about this possibility before leaving. They said there were no delays or cancellations.. until we got there. Two hours late.

In all fairness there were a lot of really great things that went right. Once we actually left the ground, we caught all our flights. The bean did great on all flights (with one minor exception on the last flight – but it was a timing issue we can correct next time), even though we were two hours late, we were able to pick up Bubba and the E’s were wonderful as always by coming to get us. I got to hang out with our families in NM, and got to see one friend. There was some Mexican food eaten, much cheer shared… all in all, not great, but definitely the wort vacation I have ever been on. Hopefully it will continue to be the worst. I am very very glad to be home now though. Very glad that our road is cleared of the 22 inches of snow that was here. Now, just need groceries. And beds. And dishes. And silver ware… I guess the holiday panic continues.

As you know, on Thursday morning I left Mount Crumpit at 5:30 am. Friday was spent in D.C. – we went to the National Christmas Tree. As it turns out, Santa is at the National Christmas tree – so we HAD to take pictures.

This was actually the second trip to get a picture with Santa. The first one was at daycare and she cried. They did manage to get one with out her crying, but she was… less than pleased with the event. (will post the picture later). When we went  to see Santa in DC, she was displeased. So displeased that Santa asked Mom to hold her in the picture. (Mom wasn’t ready for a photo opp. Neither was Dad.) We got another one of THOSE Santa pictures.. Here is what we got, although Santa’s elf’s picture was equally bad)

It was pitiful.

Then the first flight was cancelled. Then the second flight was cancelled. That second one was a doozy — we aren’t leaving until Wednesday. WEDNESDAY! This cancels plans with two sets of friends and several days of Grandma time.

Thankfully we are not stuck in an airport. Tonight, the longest night of the year, along with all nights since Thursday  - we stay here with the E’s. They haven’t kicked us out yet… here’s hoping we can stay until our flight leaves.

The most recent update to the vacation from hell – Itty is sick. The boarding place has been great so far – they took her to the vet and have done everything they can to care for our pup. Unfortunatly, even the vet said he is worried about her. We are keeping our good healing thoughts for Itty. Poor girl.

Tomorrow, we hope for the best w/ Itty and will try Santa again. We are BOUND to get a good picture of Bean with Santa for her first Christmas. Right? That is the plan.

So far, there are 9″ on the ground at the airport with an expected 18″. Atop Mt. Crumpit (overlooking Hooville), there are 16″ and counting (with an minimum expectation of TWO FEET).

Late last night we got a call saying our flight was cancelled. After being on hold for an hour, getting hung up on, then being on hold for two more hours, we have new reservations for tomorrow morning (crossing my fingers we get to take off).

There are worse places to be stranded due to “crippling winter snow”. We are here at E and Ricki’s, all cozy playing with the Bean’s birthday present a little early. Right now, the boys are making breakfast and Ricki and I are watching a Christmas movie. I wish I could go home today, but I can’t say I am heart broken we get to hang out here for another day.

I have accepted that if I have forgotten anything, I will be able to manage. Thanks to K for the reminder of the baby monitor… I would have forgotten it. It was still in use when I left this morning, now I have to hope hubby will remember it (he is better at that sort of thing than I am).

Our flight doesn’t actually leave until Saturday morning – which is when the weather man is calling for snow. Now I am pleading to Mother Nature to hold off on that snow until after our plane takes off. I don’t normally ask for these favors, as I love the snow, but if I could just have this one favor… I’d be grateful. I can just imagine my normally good travel karma going astray when I have one HUGE suitcase (big enough for a travel high chair), one medium suitcase, stroller, car seat, extraordinarily large diaper bag and a toy bag and we are toting all our stuff across the airport to find that there is a delay long enough to miss the connecting flight and we have to drag all this stuff around the midwest trying to get home. In my mind our cell phones die too. I will take these things OUT of my mind. I will envision a continually smooth trip. My mind’s eye will keep an eye on clear skies, no traffic and easy travels. Wish me luck!

New Years will be the problem I will worry about when I get back. (OK, I will definitely worry about it when I return… but can’t guarantee that it won’t be a worry before I return)

I have a list, in my handwriting, reminding me to pack underwear. Who does that?? I need to stop. breath. and remember my old mantra of traveling… you NEED airline tickets, ID, credit card (and now need car seat and stroller). That’s it. Everything else can be purchased again if you really need to. Now… just to re-convince myself of this.

In my panic, I also started list-writing about New Years – as it turns out, I have more to worry about there. For New Year’s eve, I will have 18 adults and 5 children spending the night. I have been focusing on New Year’s eve, the dinner, the party… but didn’t think at all about breakfast. If you have grand ideas, I am all ears.

Do you think it is weird to have potluck breakfast? BYOC (Bring Your Own Cereal).