Christmas Getaway Weekend

Put F U N on the calendar... make plans, get tickets, set dates, because anticipation is a wonderful thing...

Every year since forever we have gone on a Christmas Getaway Weekend. It's a long story  on how this tradition started and why it all happens. If you want, check out the links - somewhere in there is the story behind these magical weekends.

It feels like just yesterday Scott and I were newlyweds headed up to Boston on a Friday after teaching for our very first Christmas Getaway. So young. Back in 1996.

Now all of these years later it's still our present to each other. And boy oh boy has it gotten more challenging to fit in.

Anna is a Junior in high school. She'll be up until 1am tonight just to fit in studying. Abigail was all about working through her study guide tonight for a big science test coming up on Thursday. But it'll be worth it!

We are headed away for just one night -- well actually, we're not even leaving until 3 pm tomorrow when Anna gets out of orchestra. But it'll be Christmasy and magical and I can't wait to all sleep in one room {Abigail's personal favorite about going away}

Here's a trip down memory lane. I wish I was blogging way back in 1996 so I could look through over 20 years of Christmas magic.

Here's 2018

2017 and here

2016 and here 

2015  and here and here 

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

We've gone from newlyweds, to toddlers sleeping all bundled up in strollers...



We've had big city trips...



and small town tree lighting on main street kind of trips...



There are always treats (look at Abigail's face)



and Christmas jammies





Lot's of times there is special food.





And stories in bed



We've stayed above Times Square and held hands in Central Park.



There have been carriage rides.



and fancy coats...



Quaint Inns



that served Christmas tea in front of a roaring fire with a harp playing.







There is lounging in the morning



and making cookies with Santa himself!



Oh! And shopping... I suppose there is always shopping...





With a handsome daddy who carries it all for his girls.



There have been fancy desserts



and smores by a fire



and there's even been swimming a time or two...



We always love breakfast



and we wear festive clothes



We've toured fancy mansions



and done crafts in small towns.



We leave quite tired



and yet so full...



For the memories of stopping -- getting off this life treadmill and choosing to just be... just be us... is just what we need.

I'll never forget way back in 1996 saying to Scott, "let's go to Boston for the weekend; it'll be so Christmasy there. I want to walk around and hold hands, see the sparkly lights and go in and out of stores. Oh can we? Maybe if we make it our Christmas present to each other..." And he said "yes" all those years ago.

Merry Christmas dear husband -- I love you for making my Christmas dreams come true.