Shelby and I are scaling back our wild Christmas cruise plans. Prices are high at the moment, and she has no accrued vacation time with this new job, and it just doesn't feel right.

So we're backing away from the cruise, for a while. I told her I was even fine with going through these holiday's alone, which is usually what happens anyway. I said she should hang out with friends.

Then she told me something that set a light bulb off in my head, and explained a lot about my beautiful complex grand-daughter. She said "Christmas is meant for family. Not friends."

So, if she stayed home in Tampa, she would be alone for Christmas. She wanted to be with her sister in Dallas, but their were dog issues.

All of my 14 grand-children from my daughter Becky are scattered all over, and there's only a few that I think she keeps close contact with.

Shelby and I have formed an amazing bond. If she want's to spend holiday time with family, I'm it! I remember that great home cooked Thanksgiving dinner in her small kitchen in Pensacola, with the local artist, Homer Jolly.

She needs family, she needs to know her heritage. I would love to scoop her up and take her back to Idaho, meet her family. We had epic meals at my sisters amazing log home just across the Wyoming line at the base of the Grand Tetons.

She had a huge kitchen and a beautiful long wooden dining table. The crew would consist of my sister, her kids Brian, his beautiful blond twin sister, and their younger sister, sweet Elizabeth. Along with our partners and kids.

I actually have wonderful memories about those times, and I think my sister has the same Family gene as Shelby...

Unfortunately, my nephew Brian was just telling me that over the last five years that Steph and I left the Valley, the holidays are getting lost.

Sis sold her mansion and moved into the Valley, and it just sounds like epic meals are no more...

I just told Shelby that maybe we could pick a place halfway between our towns that has a Christmas dinner going on. Book motel rooms early and that I would meet her there. It could be a fun blog worthy adventure!

btw: If you would like to see our 2016 Christmas, click here.