Our New Year Vacation

As a family, my ex husband, son and I used to go to our friend's cabin on the river for Christmas. We *ran away* for the holiday because some family members couldn't share us. So we removed ourselves from the equation, and made a Christmas tradition the way we wanted Christmas to be. A cabin in the snow, on a river, with a fireplace. It was so, so beautiful. 

Then The Life Explosion happened, right before Christmas. It ruined the holiday for me, and every year since, I've fought quite hard to get the joy back for myself. I put on a good front for my son, but I haven't really enjoyed it myself. This year (see December post) has been much better. My core group of girlfriends get together with our families in a neighborhood that goes ALL out with lights and decorations. One of the hubbies built a covered 'SnoHo Manger' out of his work trailer, and decorated it with lights and bales of straw to tow us all around for light judging. SO. FUN. 

I didn't have my son for the week before Christmas, but I kept very busy with work. I got him back early on Christmas morning.

 We opened gifts at home, then high-tailed it to a friend's house in LaConner for Christmas champagne brunch.

The brunch was delicious, and it was so nice to spend time with friends and their families. After that, we went to my brother's house. His wife made an delicious turkey dinner for Braeden and I, and our parents. My niece is just a year old, and really seemed to understand Christmas this year. So fun! 

We had our celebrations all wrapped up by the baby's bedtime, and headed for home. Braeden was happily ready to climb into bed and read, while I took down our decorations. I had it all down and boxes back up by 10pm. Might be kinda *scroogey*, but when I'm done with something, I'm DONE. :)

And then we got to make a new tradition. My employer lent me his big beast of a 4WD truck. Braeden and I got to go back to the cabin, but to celebrate the new year instead of Christmas. 

I was going to be off work for the week anyway, as the family had plans for a California adventure. So we went!!!

ROAD TRIIIIP!!!! The drive over went great! Didn't need the 4WD until we reached town, and it was very easy to get around.

I learned about diesel rigs, and that they need to be plugged in during freezing temps.... -15 degrees F, meant it was frozen solid the first night. After some frantic texts to my brother "HOLY SHIT!!! DID I JUST RUIN AN $80K TRUCK?!?!".....I was assured that all I needed to do was plug in the engine block heater. *phew*

We had a BLAST!!! Braeden remembered the cabin and was very happy to be back. Because it was so cold, I thought our snow time would be limited. NOOOPE! We were out there a minimum of 2.5 hours, every time. 

We had an amazing trip! We stayed 5 days, and the cabin owners were there too. Which was SO great. My friend Lyndy has found love again after being widowed in 2009. This was my first real exposure to her beau, and I adore him. 

New Year's Eve, I popped a bottle of champagne at 9pm, toasted the new year with something like "THIS one is NOT going to suck!", and we were in bed by 10pm. It was perfectly us! :)

On the morning we were planning to head home, the weather report changed drastically, so I had a very hurried *slam everything into our luggage* hour. We got on the road before the snow was coming down. But we drove straight INTO it....

It was a very slow drive home! 35mph all the way over the pass. But we were safe, and everything went fine. 

So here's to better things in 2016. This year I will know my worth, practice better self care, forgive myself for my mistakes, stretch comfort zones for myself and my son, and accept EVERY. SINGLE. OPPORTUNITY. FOR. FUN. AND. ADVENTURE!!!!