Sunday, January 4, 2015

Wrapping up the holidays

If things were busy before Christmas, they
got even busier afterwards.  After our fun
rendezvous in Concord with Charlie and
Liz (previous post), we were off to Atlanta
for good times with family and friends.

Several of us dined at Athens Pizza the night
we arrived, so we got a picture of the infamous
Loyd siblings: me, Buddy (Ellis), and Caryn.

The next morning we gathered for a long-
awaited visit at Amanda's in-laws and enjoyed
the fellowship, refreshments (even the gummy
worms) and the "grand tour."

Hunter and Kaleb have a game rolling
balls down the stairway bannister to
Oma (Leila).  Then they retrieve the
balls and start all over again.  Ingenious
way to burn up some calories (and energy).

We took turns playing with some Batman
and Ninja Turtle action figures.  This stuff
really goes in cycles, doesn't it?

And rocking horses also never go out of
style.  But these beat any I've ever seen.
Even cowboys Evan and Hunter couldn't
flip them over.  To really see them in action,
check out the video and cute anecdote on
my Facebook homepage.

That evening we had the famous Loyd Family
get-together that we've had for well over 40 
years.  We welcomed some first-time guests as
 well as many that have almost never missed it.
Here, Brianna shares a good book with Caryn.
I'm not sure who's reading.

Stephen reads a new Superman book to Hunter.

Evan is excited with new Batman pajamas.

Claire, Bri, and friend Mallory entertain
themselves with a brand new "Frozen" puzzle.

This isn't everybody-- we had at least two
dozen, but this gives a flavor of the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the girls were still content to
stay out of the way of the grownups.  Could
they already think we're boring?

But Evan, Hunter, and friend Logan didn't
think the food table was boring.  How did
they get left in there unsupervised?!

After a festive time of caroling, including
some moving duets, Bri shared her routine
of knock knock jokes, which had everyone
cracking up.

We were home for New Year's Eve and
New Year's Day, which includes the 
traditional meal of
Hog Jowls

Collards

Black-eyed peas

Cornbread

Put 'em all together and what
do ya get?
A great meal, along with the
promise of good luck and prosperity
for 2015.

On January 2, we paid a short
visit to the Kirby household so I
could fulfill an obligation that went
with my gift to Claire.  But I also got
to play with Evan.  This sturdy punching
bag should hold up to his most vicious
assaults.  Until he's about 8, that is.

Here's the deal.  I promised Claire I'd build
her a customized horse ranch with the oversized
wooden blocks I gave her.  It's even big enough
for some of her dolls to sit on the sun deck.  I'm
not sure the horses can get up there.

But I think My Little Ponies can do just
about anything.

Evan says, "Meet the Caped Crusader."

Even Batman likes to build with
Lincoln Logs.

Do you think Grandpa enjoys getting to
relive Christmas morning memories?

Grandma, too?

Evan transforms Grandpa into a Ninja
Turtle with just a few costume additions.
But I'll never be a teenager again!

Wouldn't it be neat if I really got a pony,
Grandma?

Claire, these friendly horses are just for you.
I think they're the ones we didn't quite get
to see at Thanksgiving!



And this week, the first full week of 2015,
we'll be back on a normal routine.  And that
includes playing inside and out.  Even playing
Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Bullet.
And for that occasion, I've got all our toy
weapons-- quite an arsenal-- hanging on
two gun racks.

All I can say is, between Batman,
Ninja Turtles, and Roy Rogers, the
bad guys don't have a chance this year.

HAPPY 2015
EVERYBODY!!!


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