Holiday in Pictures



Happy new year all!  We are back from our 12 day, four state, holiday road trip.  Our car packed down with luggage, gifts, a baby and a dog, believe me we were quite a sight {fortunately I shipped most of our gifts to our final destinations}.  We kicked off our holiday with what I hope will become a yearly tradition, the Polar Express in Palestine, TX.  What fun to have both our families there and to watch the kids eyes light up as we arrived to the North Pole.  Unfortunately when the big man made it on the train, G was not as enamored as he was weeks prior at the mall. 

 

G and I headed onto Dallas with Oma and Poppa and left B behind to spend some time with his brother {they attempted to hunt the largest deer known to man, but alas the unicorn remains}.  I so enjoyed my time at home.  Nothing like last minute shopping with my mom, pancakes and conversations at the breakfast table, holiday parties and traditions with such special friends and plenty of food to make it feel like Christmas.  B made it back Christmas Eve just in time for our annual Mexican lunch with friends {and lots of babes this year!}, candlelight service at church, opening of pajamas and reading of Twas the Night before Christmas {my favorite tradition}. The traditions continued Christmas morning with our cinnamon roll competition {I tied for second this year!}, stockings and opening of presents.  I have to say the highlight was my little guy.  What a joy to experience Christmas through that angel’s eyes.

 

Our Christmas dinner was postponed due to a crazy Texas white Christmas {who would of have thought?}, so the next night family braved the cold and came out for all the traditional holiday fixings {my mother is the best cook and ultimate hostess!}.  Sadly we had to pack up the night as we were headed on to our next stop in the morning.

 

We made it to Louisiana and so enjoyed catching up with family and friends we had not seen in so long.  Of course, plenty of food was enjoyed as well {no one will ever go hungry at MeMo’s!}.  I think the highlight of our Louisiana trip was the safari MeMo and Pappy took all the kids and grandkids to.  What a hoot piling all together in one car and having all the animals come up to the windows {and into the car!}.  I don’t think I have ever seen B and his family laugh that hard {that’s saying something because they love to laugh!}.  G was spoiled rotten with plenty more gifts {I don’t know how we managed to get everything back to Nashville.} and of course plenty of love.  What a joy to watch him play with his grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. 

 

New Year’s Eve we loaded up ready to head to Jackson, MS to spend the night with our best friends and Godson, but the winter bug was rearing its ugly head again, and my boys and I were ready to be home.  We managed to stop off for a fun lunch with the Rhodes and give our sweet Maddox plenty of love.  As sad as I was to miss out on a night of wine and games with them, I cannot tell you how good my own bed felt.  So much for a crazy NYE…was sound asleep at 10pm and was in absolute heaven.

 

Spent New Year’s Day in our pjs just lounging and unpacking and setting up all of G’s toys.  Pretty uneventful but just what we needed after our whirlwind trip.  The perfect way to start off 2013 if you ask me.  Here’s hoping your holiday season was just as special and that this new year is full of hope for all.