50th and Happy New Year

We are back, safe and sound in Key West. Two short flights, to and from New Orleans, that somehow miraculously escaped the massive delays we have been hearing about. Some due to mid west white outs others from post-Christmas travel flow. Aunt Jane for instance had to wait five hours at the Lafayette airport for her departure. Jane should have gotten in John Candy's van when she had the chance. We even heard from a lady who was on a plane at LaGuardia that went to the flight line and back three times all while an incessant alarm sounded in the cabin (the entire ordeal lasted four hours). If that is not Hell on earth I don't know what is. Here are some pictures from the trip.

A toy doll that Mommy got Holden. He is wary of it and as in most toys loses interest quickly, at this stage.

Mommy wrapping presents sent by Santa Amazon to La.

Chimes that work!

"Gamma"

"No Gamma"

"Dont"

She did it.

Girard Park fowl

Holden's cousin Caedmon

Holden's cousin Benjamin

Where Ben is careful and calculating Caedmon is reckless and powerful

Eleanor and a foster child Louise and DJ are caring for

Louise and Eleanor

Grand Dude shot his best score ever!

Can't go to Louisana and not get drive-thru daiquiris, right Aunt Jane?

Christmas morning

Holden's South Louisiana uniform

T-Coons for breakfast. Famous for its smothered rabbit. Was actually outstanding for breakfast.

Adam and God (Uncle Jonas)

Holden spent his Christmas in Grand Dude John's 3/2 new house with four other children under the age of six. So, we thought for sure he would decide to walk or get eaten alive by the others. Well, like Mommy says he is not a performer and he will walk when it suits him. He was content to observe his energetic cousins and every now and then join in. Between hangin' with cousins, going on walks and playing with toys Holden was able to make it across Lafayette to see one of his two great grandmothers. "Gamma Irene" had flown down from the hills of rural North Arkansas to see him while she stayed at her daughters home. Holden got a kick out of her and her denture tricks! Holden played at the park Daddy played at throughout his youth, so it was pleasantly nostalgic. Everything did seem a lot smaller and not as vibrant but that's the way it goes, isn't it. I guess that is why we keep the cycle going, so you can go through it one (or five) more times if not in a slightly different way. Sorry for any of our Louisiana readers that we were unable to see. It was a short trip.

Back at home Holden likes to play with his new Christmas toys. He continues to experiment with his sign language. For instance, he may give the tired sign my patting his cheek followed by a rapid shaking of the head. As if to say, my body is tired but my mind is not. I don't know, we still put him down every day at 9am/1pm/7pm. He now sleeps until about 3 or 4 am which is a lot better than it used to be. Happy New Year to all and thanks for making the blog a success by always coming back and checking in to see how Holden is. This is the 50th blog and we have had 4,550 views (counting the nefarious Russian trollers) since The Beginning post.

Holden playing the Xylophone from Davis grandparents