Christmas as usual? VERY good sign in my books. It took a LOT afterwards, but when CJ came to my parent's for Christmas last year (3 weeks after the revelation of OW) it was a small sign of "possibility" for me, and a great relief (even if it was really sad at times, not knowing if this would be the LAST holidays we shared).
AS for the moratorium on his apartment...the moving boxes idea sounds as good as any other explanation, but only your H knows for sure.
As for the trip...at least he has a GOOD reason to miss it...and took the time to check etc. He could have flat out refused.
Things are sounding good for you totite, I'm especially impressed (in my sitch as well) when it's unconscious references to a future "we", that come up...I think those speak volumes.
