Christmas Vacation, Chapter 3

In some ways I think that the last day we were there was the most important day. I really felt like there was a purpose for us being there for Christmas, which is probably why everything worked out perfectly in a really short period of time. Because if just one detail hadn't worked, we wouldn't have been able to go.

Originally we planned to go to the Florida Aquarium on Wednesday after we got there. But we were pretty beat after the long drive and we'd have missed out on spending any time with Shane and Angie and the kiddos. So we postponed it to Saturday and decided to go to Lowry Park Zoo instead since we could go for free. But since we'd spent so much time out on Friday I realized that I wasn't going to have any time with my brother. So we scratched the trip all together and just hung out at his house. In the past it's been frustrating to me that we never really talked but just watched TV. I've felt that my being there was pointless. I can't really describe what's happened in the past or why we were where we were but I couldn't fix it. This time was different though. We had the most amazing time just hanging out and talking. I went out to the back patio to thaw out at one point (my brother keeps his house pretty cold) and he and Wendy followed me outside and we talked and laughed and they invited us to go scalloping with them next summer. I can't even put into words how important that was to me. At one point Jon and Travis were sitting on the back porch talking about stuff and I was surprised but I didn't want to go out there and spoil the moment. It's not that there has ever been anything bad between them it's just that my brother doesn't talk much. I've thought that he and I didn't have anything in common but I found out on this trip that he and I are neurotic about some of the same things. Floaty things in swimming pools- gaaa! It drives us both crazy and he emptied out his whole swimming pool to fix it. Most people never do that- but I totally would. We both hate leftovers. We both hate dirty cars- although mine is dirty for lack of time to clean it. He has someone come to his office to clean his every week. And I was able to explain to him why I wanted to move away. Yes, God called us here but I wanted to leave too. I needed to become who I was supposed to be without anybody else telling me what they wanted me to be. I needed to breathe, to get away from all the bad stuff and start over. And we did and I'm thankful. And now I want to be near my family again. I want to watch my nieces and nephews grow up and have my brother and Wendy over for dinner and hang out with Shane and Angie and let my mother-in-law keep the kids so Travis and I can have some time to ourselves.

Yes, that's a big statement. And I realize that would require us not living here, in a place that I love. Will we? I don't know. I'm not pursuing anything like that. I'm just saying that if I was able to choose....I'd still choose to do whatever God has called us to do. That's the one thing I can't get away from. It's always going to be about that. But I really miss my family.

Later that afternoon we met the Johnson clan (Trav's family) at Banana Lake park. Yes, another lake with a park. Shane brought corn toss and a frisbee and a soccer ball. And when Christian got there he threw a football to Travis as soon as he stepped out of the van. At one point the guys were playing football, soccer and frisbee all at the same time. I haven't seen Travis smile that much in months. He was truly happy. I actually threw the football a bit with Trav and was able to impress him a bit- although my arm tired out pretty quickly and I started throwing it all wobbly. We got to see his Abuela, and parents. The kids played on the playground and we all went to a local pizza joint afterwards. At the end of the evening it took all of us about 30 minutes to say goodbye. We said goodbye in the restaurant, and outside the restaurant and in the parking lot...it was sweet. Travis has such a loving family.

Then it was back to my brother's house to pack up and we left the next morning. And here are the final pics of our trip...

The water in the pool was *freezing* but that's how badly Jon wanted Halle to pay attention to him. Those of you that know Halle understand...

Chloe was as happy as a clam in the frigid water...she cried all day after this and wanted to move in with Uncle Jon...

Poor Tessa was so cold and was really trying to not get splashed. Somehow I missed getting any pictures of my other two nieces...bad Aunt Amy. I feel bad about that.Dalton is showing off his "tat"...Cam is a cutie pie....Landon made it to the top!Chloe and Landon climbed together...My sweet Chlo-Chlo....Manda made it to the top of the rock climbing wall...Trav and CJ are tossing the football....Joyce and Lana- CJ's girlfriend. We all love her.These little spinnie things were totally cool...Chloe made it to the top too....And Chloe finally grasped the concept of sleeping to make the trip go by faster.I think this trip was exactly what the Dr. ordered for the Buttons. I am very thankful that we were able to go. The End.

Christmas Vacation, Chapter 2

So many pictures, so much fun stuff crammed into 4 days where to begin? I suppose I should start with Christmas morning. We were up until after 1am wrapping presents because we just didn't have time before we left. I'd purchased funky colored bows- orange, turquoise, purple...- to go with our wrapping paper...but I didn't bring our wrapping paper...or the package of white bows I bought. I like lots of bows. We were going to buy some but Shane insisted that they had enough paper for all of us so we borrowed their traditional colored Christmas paper. It was late and we were tired so there were presents with red and green paper and orange bows...we found it very funny that late at night. And while Shane and Angie had plenty of paper, they only had one pair of scissors so they had to wait for us to finish wrapping before they could finish wrapping but they were good sports about it all. I know what I'm getting them next Christmas ;)

The next morning the kiddos got up about 9:30 (I am sooo thankful my kids sleep in) and we commenced with the Christmas story, stockings and Christmas presents. After that we all lounged around a bit and ate the most delicious french toast casserole ever to cross my lips. Angie made it the night before while we were wrapping presents, it was amazing! And that was my favorite part of Christmas. The calm after the gifts and sitting around with family having coffee and breakfast and just enjoying being together. Then there were showers and packing up and heading to my brother's house.

He text messaged me *and* called me to see when we were going to get there so I knew he was excited. And when we drove up he was outside waiting for us. When I got out of the car he gave me the biggest bear hug I think he's ever given me. And I realized at that moment that my brother is huge and I am very small. It sounds funny but he's my little brother that I used to beat up on a daily basis. I regret those days now. Anyway, when we walked into his house my parents jaws dropped. I'd told them all the reasons that we couldn't make it but everything changed and Jon and I just decided to keep it a secret and surprise them. None of his kids knew either and it was really fun to be able to do that. I can't even really put into words how important I think this trip was. My brother has changed so much (without his big sister interfering) and I just really miss being around him.

This trip was also different in that we were able to meet up with some friends too. Which is really astounding since we are usually there for more than twice as many days and don't have time to meet anybody. But I got in touch with Christy, who I know from Lakeland a little but have really kept up with her blog for the last year and a half or so. I've actually known her husband for a long time now because we had freshman English Comp. together. It's so weird the place I was in then and the place I'm in now. I was going through a divorce that semester (at 19) and I couldn't have been more different than the other fresh faced, excited to be away from mommy and daddy for the first time kiddos around me. Well, except Chris. He was nice but quiet and though I didn't get to know him very well, I have a sneaking suspicion that he was born an adult. I met Christy at my then best friends house (coincidentally also named Christy) at her wedding shower (best friend Christy not this Christy, she was already married. confusing, no?). I knew who she was from school but hadn't met her. And she was bubbly and outgoing and had this energy that made you want to be her friend. I thought she was really cool. So fast forward about, um, 12 years? 13, maybe? And I've been reading her blog which I found through Mary. We'd e-mailed each other a few months ago and said we wish we could have gotten together while we were in town and maybe next time. So I got in touch with her and she said she'd love to get together. We decided to stop by her house (because I really wanted to see her sweet little historic cottage) and I could tell that Travis was excited (did I forget to mentiont that they'd been friends since Trav was a teenager? Because they've known each other forever) to see her because her put the van in park and ran to the porch to give her a hug. I felt like a dork because I was still putting away the laptop that had been somewhat navigating us. But I finally got the girls out of the car and saw Christy and Chris and admired her amazing front porch. And beautiful floors, and built-ins, and creative use of space. And Christy had a little gift of handmade whipped beeswax and raw honey lotion. I'd seen that she was making it but I didn't think I'd be on the receiving end of it. But I'm very glad I was, I love that stuff.

Next was a trip with the two families to Hollis Garden and Barnett Park and the Lake Mirror Promenade. There was much gabbing, and laughing-as though we'd known each other forever. I'd also had a sneaking suspicion that Chloe and Emma would be very good friends, and I was right. The two of them were joined at the hip from the moment they met. And Andrew just sort of hung out and listened and added a witty comment or a zinger when it was appropriate. You gotta love it when there's a tween hanging out with you that acts like he wants to be there. He didn't really want to pose for pictures though. And Amanda found out that Christy's brother is in one of her favorite bands. She was very excited. Two hours flew by (in 85 degree weather) and we invited them to join us for lunch at our favorite BBQ joint- Sonny's. Which apparently Chris isn't too fond of, but he was kind enough to say yes. On the way over, Christy called me and said they were going to be a few minutes behind us because she'd stopped by her brothers and had gotten something for Amanda. An autographed tour pass! Amanda was so excited and it was so sweet of Christy to think of that. Lunch was fun and there was more catching up and story telling and we finally bid adieu to our new/old friends.


Then we met my whole family at Carter Road park to jump off of some sand hills, then we all took my nephew Ashton to Lake Morton. I love Lake Morton. At one point around the lake (which is about a mile around) we came across a drowned cat. Well, Chloe was very upset and was crying as you can imagine how horrible that was. But by that time it was dark and the Christmas tree's lights had come on (in Lakeland, they put Christmas trees in the middle of the smaller lakes around town). I squatted down next to her and showed her the tree and there was a breeze coming off the lake and I told her to take a deep breath. If you're not from there you wouldn't understand but there is something about the cool, humid air that is soul cleansing. And she calmed down....until she was approached by some crazy looking storks. There's lotsa wildlife at that lake.

Yes, it was as full a day as it sounds. I was dead tired by the time we got back to my brother's house and an air mattress never, ever felt so good.

So here's my picture tour....

The Sorosis club on Lake Mirror. It was built as a women's sorority in the '20's, I'm not sure what they do now but I love the Italianate style of the building. You'll see lots of mediterranean and contemporary styles but this is the only building I know of like this in Lakeland.


Amanda and Ashton at Lake Morton. My nephew is becoming very handsome.

I think this is a crane. I got lots of pictures of this guy but I won't bore you with them all.

This is the mandatory shot of Amanda wrestling the alligator at Barnett Park.

This is at the Promenade at Lake Mirror. Amanda thought she could squeeze through a hole at the top of the gate but no dice.

And this is what she was trying to get to. These gates have been locked for decades but my parents told me there used to be underground shops in there.

I was in the middle of a conversation with Chris when I spotted this awesome butterfly. I think I interrupted him with something intelligent like "ooh, butterfly" and ran off. Thankfully he wasn't offended. Apparently Lakeland has added butterflies to it's collection of swans around the city.

All of my girls with little miss Emma, who was more than willing to do any posing asked of her.

Amanda and Halle at Lake Mirror where all of this cool stuff is.

Chloe and Emma...fast friends with lots in common.

Halle on a picture perfect Florida day. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a Florida sky and you won't see anything like it anywhere else. It is absolutely breath taking. And Halle's scrunchy face isn't bad either.

All of our girls and Emma....

Cameron kept sneaking into the room we were opening our presents in to show us what he got. He was finally warming up to us...just before we left :(

The girlies opening stockings on Christmas day.

And that's a wrap. I have another day to share but it's hard to fit all this stuff in. I think I've said it already but it was a great trip. Stay tuned....

Christmas Vacation, Chapter 1

I think I told Tisra about a week before Christmas that I was looking forward to a quiet little Christmas with just us. I thought about leisurely sitting around in PJ's, watching the Christmas parade and having a simple dinner. Then it happened. Amanda's last day at Starbuck's was supposed to be on Dec. 27th but they only scheduled her until the 21st. And Travis asked for Tuesday through Friday of Christmas week off at the last minute and got it. So all day Friday I had this nagging feeling in my gut that we weren't staying here for Christmas. Actually, I'd had that feeling all along but since Amanda started working at Starbuck's, I thought I must be wrong. Anyway, when Travis got home on Friday I shared my hair-brained scheme with him (I get lots of those, and he almost always tries to talk me out of it). He was reluctant at first but the thought of seeing his family for Christmas was too much to resist. We hadn't done very much Christmas shopping though and wouldn't have time to do it once we got there so Sunday was spent at the mall. And Chloe had a fever. And I was wondering what in the world I'd been thinking. I'm really good at ideas but the follow through leaves me breathless and wishing for sleep. Thankfully, we got it all together and were on the road by 5am Tuesday. We got to Shane and Angie's house at 8pm on the dot. The girls were great on the drive down though and thankfully those years of car trips with screaming infants is over.

When Shane answered the front door Landon was there and said "Hello, I'm Landon Johnson" and we all cracked up. We spent the next few hours catching up and unpacking the car. It had been 20 degrees in TN when we packed up the car the night before so unpacking in 69 degrees seemed heavenly.

The next day we did sit around leisurely for a while catching up while the kiddos played in the backyard. Landon let the girls ride in his big jeep and jumped around excitedly. It was so nice to see him excited about them playing with his toys. They played in the sandbox and on the swings and had fun in the sun. It was really nice since the girls haven't seen the sun much lately.

Later that same day we met a married couple that are Trav's friends. Travis actually lived with Carl for a while when he was in high school. It's a long story but Travis wanted to go to a private school in Lakeland while his parents lived in Tampa so until they moved, he lived with Carl. We met them in Ybor City. I took a few pictures because everything was very cool- and urban, so watch your purse and your kids.

Here's some graffiti....

And a manhole cover. Yes, I realize it's the storm sewer but the cover is really cool and I love the brick paved streets.Here's the cable car...And an open air-indoor-cuban-esque restaurant....And a raised sidewalk...

The obligatory shot of the girls...And Trav's friend Carl...I took lots of pictures because there were so many interesting things to see but we spent just over an hour there. I think that I'd like to go shopping there and get a good Cuban sandwich *but* I wouldn't go by myself.

Later that night was the Christmas Eve party for the Santisteban side of the family (Trav's Mom). It was great to see everyone again, some we hadn't seen in 8 years.

We took about 7 photos before we got one that neither of us hated...girls-sheesh!

Trav and his brothers with little Cameron...Chloe with Kyleigh...she loved being a little mommy....And this is the most beautiful baby I think I've ever seen (my kiddos excluded, of course)...We had a great time with great food and stayed way too late. We were supposed to open stockings and PJ presents for our new tradition of getting new PJ's and sleeping in them on Christmas Eve but Halle didn't quite make it. See?

All in all it was a great night and was nice to see family again. There's more to come...stay tuned...