Holidays and Snow Days

Ok, this may be a little long...Sorry for all the pictures and information but I am just now getting around to posting about my Christmas break.

My Christmas break was quite enjoyable. We held our first Christmas gathering with my extended family (the South/Colbert) side of the family on the Friday evening before Christmas. It was held at my grandmother's apartment building and included aunts, uncles, and cousins that I have not seen in several years. Everyone has babies now so it was fun to see all the little ones playing together and enjoying meeting their new friends.

On Christmas Eve morning we went to my parents house and enjoyed a fabulous brunch with enough food to feed all of the Central community. Thanks Mom! Then we opened gifts and enjoyed watching the kids play with their new toys. It was a great morning! Then we headed home, let Lane (and us) catch a little nap then off we went to MawMaw's (Austin grandmother). It was bittersweet at her house this year. It was our first Christmas without Jimmy (Austin's grandad), but the mood was light and we had a good time. Again it was not the same, because Mary Brook, Ben, Missy and Riley, Jesslyn and Michael were all out of town for Christmas this year. Hopefully next year we will have all the Delano grandkids in town for all the festivities. Lane truly enjoyed playing with Cade and Clay (they wrestled most of the evening). I must add that I made some pretty awesome deer tenderloin for our meal at MawMaw's. Delicious!

On Christmas Day, we had the opportunity to spend our day at home!! It was absolutely FANTASTIC to not have to load up and go somewhere on Christmas day. Lane LOVVED opening presents and it was great to watch him finally understand what all the wrapped packages were about. He thinks his John Deere tractor and wagon are great and we cannot wait until the temperature is warm enough to really get outside and let him ride on it. Austin's parents came over for a late breakfast (breakfast casserole, potato casserole and fresh fruit). Then my parents came over later for an early dinner (Southwestern Brisket, deer tenderloin, potato casserole, pinto beans and pecan pie)! I really hope that this is a tradition that we can start. My grandparents always came to my house when I was growing up on Christmas Day, and I have a lot of great memories of getting to stay at home and share my gifts with my grands. It is just nice to get to stay at home with my little family and enjoy our day together.

Whew, not quite done. Jesslyn and Michael were in Texas for Christmas, so we did the Delano Christmas on New Years Day. It was nice to have a little break in between all the "places" that we have to go. Austin's parents got Lane a little table and chairs that he sits at everyday! It has been great to have somewhere for him to color and play with play-doh, without having to take him to the dining room table. I must say that the Delano Christmas was full of houndstooth and crimson! Roll Tide!

Just to throw this in there, one week after returning to school from my Christmas break, we got SNOW!! Yay! At first I was a little disappointed because I do not want to make the days up in February, but I will take an off day when I can get it! Lane enjoyed the snow. He was very funny about it. He just stood in the garage and looked out for a few minutes, then s-l-o-w-l-y walked onto our new white blanketed driveway and yard. He REFUSED to wear gloves or mittens because he insisted on getting his hands in the snow. It was great to spend two days at home with Lane and Austin. I will be in shock on Monday morning!