Christmas Week, part two

As we wound down the 101 the sun made the water glorious. We turned into Cannon Beach as I wished to see Haystack Rock again and Weston, who at first refused to get out of the car, didn't want to leave once he got on the beach. It was stunning. Then we wound our way down around the bay and into Tillamook where we had the best grilled cheese sandwiches I've ever had. Lunch and ice cream and then we rolled our bellies back into the car and started inland. I read Donovan's Christmas book: The Phantom Tollbooth whenever I didn't have to look up for the curves until dusk. It was dark by the time we reached Salem and the Carousel was so beautiful. Weston had finally found his rest and didn't want to budge, so pulling him out of the car so he could do something fun seemed ironic. Finally he went on the ride, but was determined to not have fun, poor sport. Donovan liked it though, and rode the beautiful black stallion "Razzle Dazzle" twice.

The final stretch home was as long as it ever is. Thankfully there weren't as many semis on that two lane stretch. Finally we made it to mom and dad's and the boys went straight for the singing carolers and the electric train! They do better in a place that feels familiar.

The next day I went walking and then shopping with my mom and Dave got to visit an old friend while the boys watched television (an amazing thing at mom and dad's.)

Finally we packed up and headed down to Glendale and let Janice and Randy and family spoil us with good food and company. We attended their youth service and I was pleased the boys jumped right in with pictionary and crafting right alongside the highschoolers.

That night Weston and Donovan were in earthly heaven as they got to sleep under a huge beautiful Christmas tree that smelled wonderful. The next day Dave and I went for a walk and gradually got ourselves ready. The boys were happily out of sight playing video games with Heidi.

Finally we left to head south for Jacksonville and hit dense fog at the top of the pass. Jacksonville was smothered in a crisp beautiful frost and we found Grams and Gramps already at Kevin and Michelle's and we settled in for our Christmas Eve festivities, the boys once again sleeping under the tree...