Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Too Close For Comfort

By Christmas Eve, Easton and I were ready to be reunited with Steve. We were having so much fun playing with cousins and family, but he was missing his daddy, and I figured out that I don't get a lot of sleep when I sleep by myself. I was dang tired all week. He was supposed to fly in on Christmas Eve around 5, but because of the raging storm that came to the northwest, that didn't happen. He had a layover in Seattle, but was delayed in Las Vegas for hours, so by the time he got to Seattle, his connecting flight was delayed too. Plus, his flight was moved to another gate and he had no idea, so he missed his flight to Eugene. The tears immediately came and I had visions of him spending Christmas Eve and Christmas in the Seattle airport. I was sad for me and sad for Easton, but also for Steve because I knew how exhausted he was and how much he was looking for ward to seeing Easton (on Christmas especially). I really couldn't deal with anything, so my family stepped in and did all they could to figure out a way to get him home. My brother reserved him a flight to Portland, and my sister talked to rental car places, and finally we had a plan in place. He could get on the flight to Portland and then drive home to Eugene. Worst case scenario, he would get stranded in Portland (because their weather was worse, no one could drive anywhere without chains) and could spend Christmas at my brother's house...better than the airport. Luckily, he made it to Portland fine, got his rental car, and was able to drive (thank goodness for semi-clear freeways) home. He finally rolled in at 11:15 on Christmas Eve. Only 6 hours later than planned. I was just so happy to see his face, and thankful to my family for helping out when I was an emotional wreck. The wait was almost worth it when, the next morning I saw the reunion between Easton and his dad. The cutest. So, I had my family there for Christmas and I was one happy girl (even though Steve's luggage got sent to the Eugene airport which was closed and I was without stocking or presents...I handled it like a champ). It was the best Christmas ever and I enjoyed every second with my family. I have a hard time choosing pictures, sorry there are so many, but I wanted to add more!
We got there just in time to play in some fresh snow. Easton went for a little ride on the sled and helped us make a snowman. We did his mouth in red m&ms, but then it started melting and it looked like blood was dripping from his face. More gruesome than jolly.

Cute cousins. Easton loved playing with the race track. Here they are in their church outfits.
Justin, Easton, Joseph.
Love it when the Mitchell girls are home at the same time as me! Steph, Jenni, Court and I.
Easton checking out his new remote control car. This Christmas was all about Cars.
A favorite Jolley tradition of mine. Table gifts. After christmas morning, we have breakfast and everyone gets one more present...it's the best!!
All 5 boys together again!

18 comments:

Miriam said...

Glad Steve made it. I would have been a wreck too. I'm sure the whole experience made Christmas together that much better. Looks like you had lots of fun and family (and snow too!) Happy New Year!

Lizzy said...

That picture of you and Steve at the top is so cute. I'm so glad he made it for Christmas. I bet you spent Christmas Eve singing Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, right? Well, I would have...

I'm such a geek.

I love your breakfast present tradition. That sounds so fun.

Carol and Bruce said...

It made for a good story but it was hard to go through at the time, waiting for Steve, I mean. It was so great to have him here after so long. It was a wonderful Christmas and we miss you very much. Thanks for coming!

Margaret said...

That was a close call! It's hard not to expect your husband with you on Christmas. I think you handled it like a champ.

Merry Christmas Emily!

Melanie said...

Love the pictures Em! I'm so glad it all worked out okay. Love you!

Jenni said...

seriously... did that all happen? Is it all over? I cannot believe it! I wish it was December 15th and we could do it all over... Minus steve's horrible traveling experience. That was NO BUENO! I LOVE the pictures. I am SO SO glad you guys could come. SEriously- i had so much fun. Thanks for everything. I love you so so much!

Kara said...

I'm so glad Steve made it in time for Christmas. Traveling around the holidays is never easy! It sounds like you guys had such a fun Christmas and Easton is so cute with all his boy cousins. I'm so glad you guys are back here, cause I don't think I could have come home from CO without you here. It's too hard to leave family after such a long time, but having good friends like you here makes it all worth it!

Alifinale said...

I would have cried too. That would have been so sad to spend Christmas in the airport. I am glad you held it together without a stocking.

So, tell me about these table presents...more presents sounds like a great idea.

Christi said...

I can't believe that you held it together. I can't believe that all that happened to him!!! I like the snowman, and that table gift idea is a good one. I am thinking I want to steal it!

WASHINGTON SOUTHWORTHS said...

Wow, all of that definitely makes for a memorable Christmas! I'm glad Steve was able to make it after all of that, especially so he didn't have to spend Christmas in an airport! It looks like you had a great time with some great traditions - that table present is a good one!
Great pictures, too!!
Have a Happy New Year!

Danielle said...

All the pics are so cute! I'm so glad you put them all! I love that first one of you and Steve. You are sooo pretty. Man, what a stress with the planes and driving. I'm so glad he was able to get there in time! Merry late Christmas!

Lawther family said...

What a crazy snow storm huh? Glad that Steve made it ok. Its no fun to be stuck in an airport for Christmas. :( That happened to my sister once. IT was the pits!
Love the pictures, you have a great family.

Our Pratt Pack said...

So I'm way behind in Blogging from the move and wait till you read about it, it was a nightmare. You'll have to wait a week or too since technically I'm stealing the internet from my neighbors right now but I had to get on and tell you that we moved into your cousin Hillary's ward here in Virginia SMALL WORLD!

Tara said...

I would have freaked out too! I'm so glad he made it there. Looks like you had a great time in the old Eugene. I miss that place sometimes!

Matt and Shannon said...

I love Easton's outfit - he does look so grown up wearing it. Someone has good taste :) haha! I like the table presents idea too - how did that start? Fun times! Glad you are back safe and sound.

Jamila said...

I see that Kylene (sp?) or her husband beat me to it...but yes, your friends the Pratt's moved into our ward! HA! Love it. We are practically neighbors, actually. Anyway--happy new year to the Jolleys!!

Hilary

Ilene said...

You're very own Christmas Miracle.

The Hallmark Channel is so going to pick this up for a holiday movie next year.

Jill said...

That was STRESSFUL! You did a great job keeping it under control. It was too much fun to be with you and Easton. Oh yeah, and Steve too.