Sally's Blog: Christmas 2012

As Christmas approached I was excited to have David IV coming in on a sleigh from Dallas and Jay coming in a sleigh from Atlanta. This year we would have four days together and we were grateful for every second.

Jay and Devin took a beautiful carriage ride in Uptown Shelby. They invited us to come along and join them for dinner. It's a fun way to spend a Friday evening and way cheaper than a trip to NYC!

GWU played several home basketball games before and during the holidays. One night before all the students left they held a Silent Night. This is when the entire gym is totally quiet until the 8th point is scored and then they break out into wild, loud cheering for several minutes. It was hilarious and it worked too. When the 8th point was scored and the cheering broke out GWU went on a 17 point scoring run!

Coach Holtman and the team won their game against Spaulding and then all the boys went home for a short break. They are already back from the holiday and practicing for regular season.

Mom, Dad, Sister and Gene got together at the Cabin for the Company Lunch. How precious is this?

I love the landscape at the cabin any time of year.

Dad says that Gary has the cows in the best shape they have ever been. They really are pretty and there are sweet new babies dotting the pastures.

Harry and the Elves came to the cabin to fix the Company Lunch. Fried Catfish, fresh cut french fries, homemade hush puppies and banana pudding. Nobody does it better.

David thanked everyone for their contribution to the company and for what they each mean to him.

Mary Elizabeth's vase decked out in Nature's Christmas beauty.

Some special things that always show up on the kitchen windowsill at Christmas.

Christmas Eve at MawMaw's with the Mabry Girls. Sister makes Oyster Casserole, Layered Salad, Beef Tenderloin and all kinds of goodies.

We missed the Roaches, Burgins, and Saleebys but even when everyone isn't able to come on Christmas Eve the Mabrys and Roysters can fill up a picture.

Christmas Morning in Lattimore started out with a little (or a LOT) of picture taking! Then breakfast casseroles, livermush, sausage and gravy, grits, oranges and, of course, Ham Biscuits.

Mama and Brycen enjoying Christmas morning.

We played the Christmas Game and Hanse drew #1. He quietly picked the ribs and dashed back to his seat. They were stolen but he worked a deal to end up sharing them with Hayes and Jackie.

Elizabeth came up with something homemade in a jar but she didn't wind up with it. I'm sure Rachel was very happy about that!

David and Jay were the official statisticians and had to consult the document several times.

Kai and Paul watched carefully but I think Melia may have doubts about the present game.

Dad wanted to play two counting games this year including how many people were in the family. With all of the weddings, engagements and babies we can't even keep count. He finally gave a prize to everyone who guessed 34 or 35!

Dad's other counting game was for everyone to guess how many Knock Out Rose bushes there are on the fence line around the farm. Mary Beth came closest to the stated correct answer of 156. I may have to make a special trip out to count them myself.

After Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fun, we had one more night with David IV home so we decided to do something different and throw a pizza party. The first step in a great pizza party is to ask Brian to bring over his pizza-oven-on-a-trailer. Brian can make a pizza party happen.

The second thing to do is watch the weather and if it looks like 100% rain call Lloyd for help. They helped by arranging the perfect tents and then we set out all kinds of toppings. Susan was helpful with toppings advice, Beth was helpful with chopping and Carol was helpful with clean up!

Add in a whole bunch of cousins and neighbors and let the pizza roll! It's a fun thing to do and as David IV observed it's very conducive to a variety of conversations.