Depending on when you fly, you may not be able to bring your babies with you... The two major airlines in Canada, at least, won't accept pets from mid-December to mid-January or so due to increased passenger and cargo loads. I suspect it is not much different in the States. You would have to check with each airline company.

I'm glad you have work lined up, though!

Will you be going to Montreal or the Miramichi for your holidays? I could send your gift to wherever you're going to end up, rather than to Texas.