Where Have I Been?!?

I am truly embarrassed to be this far behind. I'm sure all my fans have been waiting breathlessly for another installment. :-)

Let's see - how about Christmas. A few days in Tuscaloosa, a few days in Chicago. So before we left we had our own little Christmas gift opening. Carson was quite pleased especially with his dinosaurs you put together.

Our trip home started off with a bang. We got nearly halfway to Houston from Salt Lake when they turned the plane around and went back to SLC. Said there was either a problem with a deicing sensor or there truly was a a problem. We moved to the gate just one over when we got back, and left again perhaps an hour later. Same exact model plane, same crew, same seats. Quite a bit of deja vu. So we still got to Alabama the same day - only 4 1/2 hours later.




Christmas Eve everyone came to Mama's house. Since the weather was so pleasant, Carson and Steve got some good basketball playing in. Steve's outfit gives him street cred. Late that afternoon we went to a Christmas Eve service at First Baptist. I got to see some people I haven't seen in a long time, plus this was Carson's first church service. He acted great. A bit wiggly, but quiet. That night before Carson went to bed he went outside and sprinkled reindeer food (bird seed and sparkly stuff) in the front and back yard. Cookies and milk were put out for Santa Claus. Then off to bed with much admonitions that Santa couldn't come till we were all asleep.




The next morning we get up and lo and behold, Santa had come! We had the proof in the huge footprints on the rug. Carson looked in his stocking and said "He brought gum!" (quite pleased) Then he opened up his huge box to find no less than a Buzz Lightyear!! Laser, buttons that talk, and wings that pop out all included. Plus a Toy Story 2 to go along with it. Pleased as punch doesn't begin to describe it. And Santa was SOOO good to me - he brought me a "Grow a Boyfriend" - just add water!!





Everybody came back again Christmas Day, and we opened presents. Carson can now be a head to toe Mississippi State Bulldog with his football uniform, pads, and helmet. Lots of goofballs had fun with the helmet over the week.





I had to throw in this picture of Allison cause it turned out SO good!



We headed to Chicago a couple days later. Jason and Erik were there just about the whole time. Carson was in heaven having two more big boys to wrestle with. All kinds of new wrestling moves were exhibited.





There were also some outstanding presents exchanged. Jason's most favorite present was from Carson: a pair of Thomas the Tank Engine briefs!




All three boys got the favorite family classic Boy in a Bubble with John Travolta. Thank you Phil for making that an instant family tradition. Carson got, among many other things, a pair of Buzz Lightyear pajamas from Jason. It's only a month since he got them, and I've already had to sew up big holes in the knee. Hardly a day has gone by without him wearing them.





Erik was quite impressed with his personally autographed Lou Ferrigno shirt. Mom enjoyed her nice dainty bell, while Erik made sure Carson got his quota of guns and soldiers. Dad showed his musical side, while Carson looks like he's auditioning for The Price is Right.



Since we force Carson to eat sweets every once in a while so he'll seem like a regular kid, Santa gave him a special lollipop.




We paid Grandma a visit at her apartment. Carson was such a polite guest that he lay down on the floor without a word and went to sleep. Grandma, I promise that was no reflection on your hostessing duties. A few days later, Michael, Susan, Bree and Grandma came for a visit which was quite a special treat. Bree is a most attractive and outgoing young woman, and I so enjoyed spending time with all of them.




Finally, a picture of the Three {Stooges, Amigos, Musketeers} plus the Little One in Training.



We came home on December 31, just in time to hit the hot spots for New Year's Eve. Yeah right. In fact, we were asleep well before midnight.

This was my most fun Christmas trip because Carson wasn't joined at my hip. He didn't have a nervous breakdown every time I left, plus he had so much stuff and so many people to play with that he was quite involved.

So great trip, but as always, good to be home.