Meeting Charles Kane Dillon

Our trip 'back home' for the holidays is one we look forward to all year. We've gotten down a nice balance of seeing both of our families and as many friends as possible.

Now that Kerry and Kevin are in Manhattan, and my brothers are in NY we get to see all of them - spending our first night or two in Manhattan and then heading out to Long Island until Christmas day. We then have Christmas morning at my brother John's for breakfast, and fly out to have Christmas dinner with TJ's parents in Florida and stay until the New Year.

This year, we left London with news of a snowstorm in New York. The flight was not delayed so we enjoyed some relaxation in the BA lounge at Heathrow and many movies on the flight. About a half hour before we landed the pilot came on and gave us an update about the snow, and told us he didn't know if we'd be diverted. A plane full of cross fingers worked, and we landed in NY as the storm was just starting.

At baggage claim we met some fun college students who were just arriving back in the US after spending the semester abroad in Greece. One sweet girl started crying as they began canceling flights due to the snow. She was about to say goodbye to friends she'd just spent the last 4 months with..and just wanted to get home to her family in San Francisco. It nearly broke my heart as I could relate. If our flight was canceled, I too would have been crying. I was very excited to see our family this year. With everything that my dad has been through, I couldn't wait to see my family...and we had something huge to celebrate with TJ's family....the birth of sweet Charles (Charlie) Kane Dillon!


New York was beautiful in the snow and we were treated to a fantastic walk in the park with our new nephew.


He is perfect...and we swear we saw him grow in front of our eyes during our time with him in New York and Florida.


He is so good natured and amazingly curious. At just 3 months he is all cuddly kisses and hugs, fun smiles, great noises, and basically perfectly brilliant.





Kerry and Kevin's new apartment is fantastic. Amazing views from their roof deck, so close to the park...(I'm moving in=)





We spent a beautiful couple of days starting our time 'home'. And I spent them making funny noises, getting teary-eyed, and being a gushing Aunt.


I am so very thankful that the only tears I shed were due to meeting Charlie, not being stranded at an airport.