My Little Helper

Solon has been helping me wrap presents the last week, and the other day he rounded up some scraps and asked that I wrap him up too.  So I taped him into a little package..counted to 3..and then he popped out. 

Holiday Carol

Here is Solon singing his rendition of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. He kind of yells it vs. singing it...so I guess that is why he plugs up his ears.  My favorite part.  "Then one FROGGY Christmas Eve." 

No Visuals!

We had a GREAT time in Greenwood this past weekend for Nanna Christmas.  Unfortunately, my camera that was filled with pictures was accidentally put in Sally's car, so I will have to wait a couple of weeks before I can share them.

We all arrived Friday afternoon/evening.  (Pensacola. St. Louis and Atlanta crew.)  We spent time sitting around the fire and enjoyed some delicious red/beans & rice for dinner. 

Saturday started early!  The entire Varner crew couldn't make it due to a bad stomach bug, but a lot of the Dales showed up (Danny, Charlotte, Daniel, Jimmy, James and Derrith).  Lots of wine, snacks and catching up.  After the Dales left, we had a great lunch on Eli and then it was time for a ceremony. After many MANY years, Janie was set to graduate from college on that Saturday.  Instead of walking, she wanted to spend her day with family.  So we surprised her with her on "walk."  Margo brought a cap/gown, and they got Janie dressed.  And then she walked down the long hall while we all hummed the graduation theme song.  We gave a couple of toasts and some tears were shed:)  And then The Hughes/Nanna surprised her with a gift.  She had to solve a word puzzle first..but once she strung it together.  "Heir-Line Tick-et 2 Saint Loo-ie"..she was so excited.  A plane ticket up to visit St. Louis and all the Hughes. 

Now it was nap time for most of everyone.  Solon and Luke shared a bed for the first time which was super sweet.  Nanna caught a few hours along with Julie and Nathan.  The rest of us sat around the den enjoying martinis and sparkling grape juice (me). 

After everyone was up, we played Dirty Santa..and then later spent some time remembering Momma.  It was such a fun day, and it was hard not to feel her absence every second.  She loved Christmas so much, and as Jay said it was up to us to carry on that joy in her memory.

It was a wonderful weekend, and I now feel like it is Christmas! 

Sunday Afternoon

We squeezed in a trip to Peidmont Park Sunday afternoon.  Jay and Solon rode bikes while I followed along with my camera.  Solon has me a bit nervous.  He shows zero fear when riding down hills.  Big smile of his face and out of control. So a helmet is on the agenda ASAP.  We stopped off at the park for a few minutes and then Solon got excited about the tree stump because he knows how much Luke loves them.  We also saw lots of squirrels and geese, and a guy who was doing big wheelies off a hill.

Hamming it Up

It never happens, but I finally got Solon to actually look at the camera while I snapped away.  He was jumping on the bed, being silly, and pulling his britches up too high to suit Jay.

Go Team

Ann and I were rooting for LSU Tigers, and Jay was for the GA Bulldogs.  So once Solon made his way downstairs we got him chanting for the girls' side.  Sorry for how dark video is!

Movie Night

We ever so rarely let Solon sit down for a movie, but this past Saturday afternoon the SEC championship was on.  So we set him up with Lady and The Tramp II...complete with personal effects.  I got these stuffed Lady & Tramp on a Nanna trip to Disneyworld back in the 80s, and Solon loves them.