Christmas Trip 2011 - Pig Palooza (Part 1)

Leo proudly pets one of the farm dogs. These dogs were fabulous escorts throughout our stay, greeting us happily upon arriving, walking us to our door, and showing us around.

This year we decided to travel back east for the holidays, braving airport crowds and grumpy stewardesses (pardon me, "flight attendants"), the whole time dealing with lingering illnesses.

The downside of the trip was taking Leo to the emergency room 2 days after arriving, after he developed a 104.2 fever, the highest fever he's had. Scary. Lots of screaming and crying. Oh, and Leo was worked up, too ;P After a chest x-ray and multiple tests, doctors determined it was a severe stomach virus. We were relieved it was nothing more serious. We juggled our schedule and tried to make the best of it.

The upside of the trip was choosing a 17th century cottage on a charming, miniature potbelly pig farm as our home base. Yes, I like pigs :) Leo liked the pigs, too, but he liked the farm dogs even better. It was a neat place with a lot of history (George Washington stayed on the farm with his troops during the revolutionary war). It was a lovely place to decompress at the end of our long days, and made for a peaceful Christmas morning with Leo.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the airplane.

Leo discovers an ancient payphone at the Hertz Car Rental at Newark Airport.

We spent the first night at my mom's, since we arrived so late.
Leo enjoyed some time reading with Granny in the morning.

Leo goes for a ride on Granny's rocking chair.

Sitting in front of our cottage. It reminded me of the simplicity of years past.

Hey, piggy piggy. The pink and black one was so cute!

Leo liked the pigs, but LOVED the dogs.

The tractor wasn't bad, either. Check out the horns on the front :)

Mommy & Leo share a cuddle in front of the fireplace.

Leo enjoys a homemade breakfast by Daddy at the cottage.

Leo awaits his chest x-ray (his least favorite part of the hospital visit). It was hard seeing Leo look so vulnerable, but he was a trooper and even flirted with the nurses :)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Christmas Trip 2011!