The next generation...two sets of Thibodeaux sisters and a renegade male to provide the diversity.
There were many pre-Christmas activities involved in the rendevous. There was the obligatory Thibodeaux Christmas cookies (already scavenged by the time I could take a picture)...
...and the assembly and decoration of gingerbread houses, with Audrey glad to instruct Maggie in the finer points of icing decoration...
And new for this year, we enjoyed communal jigsaw puzzle activity, appropriately themed of course...
And when Bea was diverted by the possibilities of a wooden fruit bowl...
Maggie engaged in some "repairs" to the ornament placement on the Christmas tree.
Meanwhile, the menfolk (well, Chris and Jack) decided to remove some small game from the property. I think the final tally was about 8 doves and 3 squirrels. Bea was especially enamored by the furry fox squirrel, and played with it like a baby doll for most of the morning.
You may have noticed that the boys were plucking doves on the screen porch. One of the drivers behind all of Denise's work to improve the house was that she didn't want it to look like we were living in a camp...well, what do you think?
Believe me, it's back to normal now.
The two youngest Thibodeaux's (Maggie, in truth) were about worn out from anticipation, so we relented and allowed them to get into one of their gift bags before Christmas morning. Audrey climbed up to the special spot (where we knew curious eyes would not be able to peek) and busted out a couple.
Chris was all excited, but we had to break the news that the princess doll was for Bea. All-in-all, this was just enough to take the edge off and allow them to prepare for the big event.
On to the preparation - the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...
Afterwards we all had us a heapin' helpin' of Maw-Maw's crab and shrimp gumbo (prepared by Joe)...mmm-mmm good!
Well the tots were off to bed and awoke the following morn to the aftermath of Santa's visit, and to a white Christmas, SWLA style (note the frost in the pasture)...
Maggie verified that Santa appreciated her thoughtful snack presentation...
There was plenty to explore under the stockings...
While Maggie is a veteran of Christmas morning doings, Bea looks like she may not be sure about all of this yet...
After fully exploring Santa's bounty, Maggie was glad to serve as the elf for the wrapped gift distribution.
...which led to an absolute frenzy of paper-ripping, ribbon-cutting activity...
But Bea was content to take a canter on her rocking-rider pony (she learned quickly which ear to press to initiate the delightful little pony song, over - andoverandover...thanks, Chris). You'll see somebody's big gift just behind Bea...Guess Whose? All I asked was that she learned to make Gran's chocolate eclairs and have me be the official taster.
It wasn't all about presents; this was a good opportunity for Bea to get to know her other uncles.
It was an exhausting day for those not used to it...
Bri-guy and Scott headed back to BR the day after Christmas, and in what may become a new tradition as long as we have grandkids during the winter holidays, the rest of us took a trip out to the catfish ponds up the road. Jack helped with the baiting and fish removal - this was mostly a girls' activity this year. Audrey caught the most and the biggest (7 lbs) but everyone had some chilly fun.
Joe and the kids headed back Saturday; Chris and family moved on to Corpus and Gabby's family on Sunday, and Denise and I were again reminded how quiet it is out here in the country.
