First order of business: Tripp is recuperating from a stomach virus (hopefully just a 24-hour bug) & Allen is recuperating from a 102 fever & body aches. They're feeling much better today - please pray they both STAY on the road to recovery and please pray I don't catch what they have!
OK, back to post, now.
My boys were tired before we even got started!
1st Stop - Prattville for Allen's Dad's Family
Tripp & Ryleigh had so much fun with each other
Ryleigh was so sweet with Tripp!
The ones in the family going to the BCS game;
and the one that's not...
:-(
2nd Stop (that day) - Greenville for Mom's Side of the Family
Tripp has to visit every table to make sure he doesn't miss anything:-)
at the dessert bar - the three of us certainly didn't miss anything!
Tripp loves his "Na'lie"
Poor Krisitin
&
Poor Brad!
They're probably thinking, "We didn't sign up for this treatment when we got into the family!"
Meme & Papa are going to love me for putting this up! This was a fun game that involved singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!
Love these PJ's (& girlies!)!
Lookin' good, Mason!
Tripp thinks these girls are too funny!
Mom kicked off the Christmas weekend with a Pajamas & Pancakes Party!
(too bad we weren't studying P's that week :-))
The Chefs
Brad & Kathy - Kat's PJ's were equipped with a back flap. Too bad I didn't get a picture from that angle!
Beautiful & HUGE tree!! Thanks PopPop!
Handy Manny watching the fire:-)
Daddy & Tripp showing off their PJ's
Two Peas in a Pod
Tripp telling us how to play the game...and his grandmothers at the end of the table are really listening.
I wish I had a picture of Mamie & Tripp when they were crawling under the table - adorable!
Cara & Will could NOT stop laughing!
Mainly because this character was cracking us up!
Just check out that expression!
Tripp & Dad taking a break - too much partying already!
3rd Function - Christmas at my Mom & Dad's
I got a flannel nightgown...
& Mom got red underwear...
from her unknowing son-in-law!
Tripp closing his eyes before going outside to check out his gift from these two reindeer...
Handy Manny 4-wheeler & he loves it!
4th - Moving on to Prattville for Candlelight Service & Grandma Judy's Birthday
Tripp's flameless candle - good thinking, Grandma Judy!
Another beautiful tree!
Helping Grandma with her birthday cake.
The next morning - D.Daddy showing Tripp his brand new red wagon!
He opened all of his presents while sitting in the wagon
Playing with Aunt Angela.
This needs no explanation! War Eagle!
Still in the wagon!
5th Stop - Louisville for Allen's Mom's side of the family!
Cousin Presley
Thanking MawMaw & PawPaw for his tool set.
Back to Mom & Dad's house that night - mom wrote a poem for us that was amazing.
The poem involved lines like these:
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the hood,
The Auburn fans were pondering if the Tigers really could.
Lindsey from HOTlanta and Will from Alabama,
They could hardly wait to go cheer for CAM!
From Pensacola, the Vinson's would hail,
Allen is the greatest fan, you know without fail!
First meeting between the Tigers and Ducks,
So to our chillun, we give a few bucks,
And wish those Tigers all kinds of luck!
And on que, "Bill" starting handing out "bills" - what we'd all asked for for Christmas!
Allen not believing his ears - he's totally amazed by his mother-in-law's talented word "skillz"
Thanks Mom & Dad!!! We love you & are so grateful to you for helping fund this much-awaited trip!
(We'll try not to act this crazy when we're in Vegas - we promise!)
Even Mr. Perkins was feeling the Christmas Cheer!
Final Stop - Mamie's in Greenville with Dad's side of the family
Meredith & me - the first of the "grands"
Tripp trying to figure out what in the world his great aunt Jan is doing...
and his great uncle Tom...
and his great Uncle Freddy...
(or should I say Fredericka? things get crazy at Mamie's!)
and his great aunt Marie!
Mamie & her kiddos
And all the out-laws: Karen, Mom, Mitch & Freddy
All the boy cousins. Thankfully the girl cousins weren't requested to wear the reindeer antlers!
Love this picture of Tripp & PopPop
There's definitely a story behind this but I'll spare the readers! ;-)
Cousin Anna
Cousin Rebecca and her 1st time guest - poor guy ended up with this doormat during the dirty Santa game! Wonder if he'll be back?
Sweet picture of Ya-Ya and her Trippster
Cousin Bruce & Willberto showing some love
The Jokester?
Cousin Rebecca
I think these two have had too much Christmas at this point!
When we finally arrived back at home, Tripp threw his arms in the air and yelled, "HOME!"
A few of his stocking stuffers: chapstick & sunglasses. Two of his favorite things!
Do any of you see a resemblance to Ray Charles?
Since Allen, Will, Lindsey & I are headed to Vegas and then onto THE GAME, I'll leave you with some final words from Mom's glorious poem...ENJOY!!
The thoughts of Nevada with your group of four
Could worry your mama's right down to the core.
Don't wake up with a tiger or chicken in the room,
Or stand before a preacher as a toothless groom!
Show up for the game and give Chizik his due,
Christmas is over and I can't wire bail money to you!
So with a quarterback so lively and quick,
We knew for sure we had this game licked!
A smile with those dimpled cheeks and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
He & I both knew all along, that Saban was a jerk!
And laying his hand on top of the ball,
And giving a nod, up the field he ran,
He waved to his fans, to his teams gave a whistle,
And away they all scored like shot from a missile.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove it on down,
"Look out lame ducks, the eagles are in town!"
