The Christmas Tour 2013

  It was a whirlwind of family, friends, food and photo ops.  At times it felt like we were on a world tour promoting -not a new album- but a three year old. Although we were excited to come home we knew it would be as hectic as it was enjoyable. Despite a bit of pre-trip anxiety each stop we made on our tour was absolutely wonderful and I wished we could have stayed longer every time. I am glad we took the time to make and send out an itinerary. (Note: no one was completely pleased with the itinerary but until we are able to manipulate the space/time continuum it was the best we could come up with and sending it out early hopefully helped the parents make their peace with the gives and the takes. And I take any disgruntlement as more proof  we are greatly loved.)
  For ten years I clung to the idea it wasn’t a big deal we were unable to make it home for Christmas.  I maintained the time of year we visited our families didn’t matter. Sure we got a little homesick when our relatives all gathered together without us and although I tried to incorporate holiday traditions from my childhood into our Colorado life, it’s just not the same.
  But it was the only option for a gal and her guy who moved 900 miles away and got sucked into retail management.
  This year a new job meant we got to fly to St. Louis where we party hopped all over Southern Illinois for a week straight. It was full of Great Grandmas, Great Aunts and Uncles, great siblings, great parents, great cousins and great food.
  I could go on and on about how wonderful it was to see everyone, meet new additions and how it just makes it all the more special to do these things when the stockings are hung, the peanut butter balls, Louie's meat and cheese trays and nut filled muffins are abundant and when being with family just means a little bit more.
  There is no substitute for being surrounded by family at Christmas. Sure there will be years we don’t make it, but this year proved I have no trouble trading our Christmas tradition of all day pajamas and mimosas for the hugs, the smiles and the opportunity to surround Layla with all the love we grew up with and how it’s all just a little more special this time of year.