Christmas in Atlanta

This may be a familiar pose, but you haven't

seen this exact picture before.  We're at

Chic fil-a in Atlanta.  And we're hungry!

Cousinly love is a sweet thing to behold.

Of course, Chic fil-a has an indoor playground,
so let's forget about food for a while.  Go Bri!

Hunter and Evan wonder how high this thing goes.

Oh happy day!  A place grownups can't come!

These kids are so having a blast.
They're growing up right before our eyes.

Brantley and Lindsey get their

Christmas money as tiny paper airplanes.

I'm running out of ideas, but I've got a whole

 year to think of an alternate presentation.

After the family meal, we gathered back at

Grandma and Grandpa Loyd's house for a

traditional get-together with friends that dates

back to the late 1960's, when my brother

Buddy (Ellis) was in college.  For many years

it included a mammoth game of Risk.  Later,

more music and holiday snacks took the focus,

and it evolved into the fun fest we still enjoy.

I know Mama and Daddy were looking down

joyfully on us, because nobody enjoyed this

occasion more than them.

What?  More toys?  Thanks, Aunt Caryn!

Hunter and his truck find a new cushioned seat
that beats any chair for comfort.

"It's the best present ever," etc., etc.

Claire is always glad to add another outfit to
her eclectic wardrobe.

And magnetic paper dolls let you do
wardrobe experimentation to your heart's content.

Another one for me?  How lucky can I be?!

The oak floor of the hallway is just
perfect for these construction vehicles.

Ready or not, here it comes!

When the music starts, Bri and her new friend Mallory
(with Logan nearby) get ready for some old-fashioned
round dancing.  In fact, they go round and round and round.

Leah provides the hoe-down beat, and the kids fall
into their own version of clogging.

Swing yore partner round and round . . .

We'll just watch, thanks.
This stuff can get pretty rough.

And I hope you'll watch, too--
Here it is, my nomination for Video of the Year
2012, that is!

Well, it's time to wrap up this party . . .

It seems a short while ago that these were the young
folks singing, dancing, and opening presents on the floor.
All grown up are (L to R) our daughter Jennifer (mother
to Claire and Evan) nieces Lindsey and Brantley (my
sister Caryn's daughters), and our daughter Amanda
(mother to Brianna and Hunter).  Amanda would turn
30 the very next day.  WOW.  Time has really flown!
And a very Merry Christmas finally came to a close.
And we embrace 2013, a new year full of promise.