Our Unconventional Christmas...

We knew Christmas was going to be a little different this year since we were scheduled to fly to Maine bright and early Christmas morning.  It really felt different when on Christmas Eve we ate tuna fish sandwiches for lunch admist the packing.  However, once we got to the hotel near the airport and hung our stockings with care on the entertainment center it started to feel a little more jolly.

We let the girls pick the Christmas Eve dinner and they chose The Rain Forest Cafe.  Nothing says Merry Christmas like a bunch of crazy monkeys and two pounds of brownie sundae!

We had been tracking Santa all night on my phone.  When we headed for the hotel he was hitting up the European and Russian countries.  While we were eating he had made his way into Africa.  As the girls and Jason braved the 40 degree rain in the outdoor hot tub he was making his way up South America.  At which point Lena said, "Santa is the only magic I believe in!"

 As the girls brushed their teeth he finally entered Florida.  Lena exclaimed, "Oh my goodness...I better get to sleep!"  At that point she promptly hopped into bed, rolled over and closed her eyes.  Morning dawned early (good thing Santa is speedy) and at 3:45am the girls were rousted from their slumber to find stockings full of DSIs.

 As we made our way to the airport everyone was in good spirits.  I really think the Christmas bug had bitten one and all.  Plus, who doesn't love a Christmas breakfast of Starbucks?

 Since we were flying on Christmas Day I decided to get the flight crew a small token of appreciation.  On each flight the girls would hand the flight attendants and pilots chocolate candy bars with a little note of thanks.  It was really wonderful to see the kindness we in turn received from the these small gifts.  Everyone was so appreciative and the girls got a "shout out" from the captain on each flight, hand written thank you notes, warm cookies from first class, applause from the passengers on one flight after the note was read over the loud speaker, and even a full bottle of wine (for us, not them...however I am not above slipping it in their ginger ale if need be...I'm kidding...I'm not kidding).  Flying on Christmas Day turned out to be the best flying experience we have ever had.  Not because of what we got in return for our gifts, but because of how everyone throughout our entire journey was cheerful and kind.

And speaking of cheerful...the east coast cousins were pumped when we arrived.  We could see little Autumn bouncing around the living room as we pulled up.

 After Grammy's dinner of delicious lasagna we tore into the gifts.  This year Grammy made all her kids (big and little) homemade quilts.  They are so beautiful and she is so talented!

 

 

Even though our Christmas was different this year it didn't matter one bit because, in the end, we were all together.

 And as we all know, that's what really matters most!

And on that note, I guess I should say...Happy New Year.  2010 was good to the Lovetts.  I can't wait to see what 2011 brings!