the view from erica: cheery + chilly christmas

This year we celebrated on Christmas Day in Oklahoma. Since we live in Tennessee now, we are closer to OK but really not what I would call 'close.' We're only 2 states away, but states in the midwest are long and wide, not like the east coast where we blew through 4 states in 4 hours. But still, we decided to drive the 12 hours to my parents' for Christmas.

And it wasn't that bad . . . because Coco and Poppy flew Bo down with them from Cincinnati after the funeral. That was the BEST decision of all time. Our time in Ohio was a little rough for Bo - a combination of a long drive, many unfamiliar people, being separated from Mommy and Daddy, and teething/not feeling well left him a cranky mess and me apologizing for him everywhere we went. I didn't feel good about driving back to Nashville without him but of course right after we left he took a super long nap and it was reported that he was a sweetie pie ever since.

This picture from my mom made it pretty clear he was getting along ok without us:

I used our one day at home between trips to unpack/repack, clean up a bit, and take down the Christmas tree. It's amazing what I accomplished without my little shadow! It was a good break for Matt and me to be alone for a bit.

And the next day, Matt, Moose and I drove from Nashville to OKC.

Moose is a wonderful traveler and Matt is a wonderful driver so it was a smooooth trip! Our one worry was that Moose and Tucker, my parents' dog, would not get along - but after 5 minutes they were old pals.

And Bo was in heaven with two dogs to ~~love on~~ maul and squeeze.

It's a good thing Matt and I only got Bo couple things because he cashed in with the relatives over Christmas!

My parents outfitted Bo with a cowboy hat and hobby horse, and then rootin' tootin' pointed-toe cowboy boots with a slight heel that Bo loved but walks a little bow-legged in, as you can see in the video below. Maybe they'll slow him down a bit for me.

Christmas was cozy and comfortable with snow falling outside and pajamas on almost all day. My mom's Christmas dinner was delicious, as always! That fancy salad you spy featured fried goat cheese and pomegranate seeds.

Other features of our visit included fun play time with my brother's old train set, special date time with Bo and Coco and Poppy at a play place, family movie night at Les Mis - and I will affirm with everyone else that it is excellent, sibling lunch at a restaurant that features grilled cheese . . . umm, yes, delicious, night drives to view some very excellent Christmas lights, and time with my brother's 'special friend' Molly.