Oklahoma Soldier's Family Celebrates Year's Worth Of Holidays In 2 Weeks

Michael Konopasek, News 9

TUTTLE, Oklahoma – Being home for the holidays is something many Oklahoma soldiers will not have the privilege of enjoying, but that's not stopping one metro Army wife from enjoying those special moments with her husband, even if it's just a bit early.

Brittany Shattuck's husband was en route back to Afghanistan Friday evening after two weeks home in central Oklahoma. He will be away from his family for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day. So the family thought, why not celebrate them all in October?

"I'll deal with our Christmas tree being up for three months," laughed Brittany Shattuck.

After all, who says you can't celebrate Christmas a couple months early? With a four-month-old baby girl, who dad has not seen since she was born, Brittany Shattuck knew her daughter's first round of holidays needed to be shared with her father, Captain Darren Shattuck.

"My primary thoughts [were] with our little one being able to be there and have the whole family there, celebrating her first holidays with all of us," said Shattuck. "It was really exciting."

With just two weeks to fit it all in, the Shattuck family celebrated in a big way. Halloween, Thanksgiving, two birthday parties in one, Christmas, New Years and Valentine's Day filled the two rows of a calendar.

"He didn't really catch on until the second or third celebration," said Shattuck.

The festivities were planned in such away that both friends and family were able to spend quality time with Darren.

"When they come home, they need to be happy," said Shattuck.

The proud soldier's wife says the past two weeks will make the actual holidays a bit easier being apart.

"When [the soldiers] leave, they'll be able to look back on and remember those moments that we spent of making memories together," said Shattuck.

Brittany says celebrating five holidays in two weeks was the perfect way to welcome her husband home, and she hopes other military families will give it a try.

Captain Shattuck has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a member of the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.