Daniel & Jennifer: We drove home for Christmas! (Better late than never, right?...)

The 16 hour drive with an infant took us... 16 hours!!

The planning involved with going home for Christmas was kind of crazy but we made it work, and it was well worth it.

We had limited space in our little Honda Civic, and with a dog, a baby, and luggage, it was more "stuff" than we had last year ;) So Daniel's parents were so kind to buy us this car top carrier and it was sooo very helpful!! It gave us enough storage that we even had some wiggle room in the car.

The carrier, though, made driving a little less enjoyable simply because it slightly changed the feel of the drive and it also had straps that got in the way and flapped in the wind while driving. We had to pull over a couple times because of it. But it was definitely needed for this particular trip!

Honestly, I was extremely nervous about the trip. Extremely!! But God protected us the entire way :) I really had nothing to be anxious about! (*Thank you to our friends and family for all the prayers sent our way concerning our travels!*)

Kaladin really doesn't like being constricted and unable to move. (He broke his swaddle VERY early!) So being in the car seat is not his favorite, by any means! But he sure did look adorable.

Just don't let the smiles fool you... he wasn't that happy 12 hours into it.

We got a mirror for the car and it actually helped Kaladin on the drive. He's kind of vain...

This one is, by far, my favorite!

LOL!!

Daniel's maternal side of the family have a potluck reunion every year and it happened to be the day we were arriving in town. (Which is why we were in such a hurry to make the 16 hour drive! We were pretty strapped for time...) While we were very tired, we really enjoyed seeing everyone and showing off our newest addition! In fact, the moment we walked in, everyone flooded us with hugs, "ooh's", and "ahh's", over baby Kaladin :) no really, we were surrounded! Surrounded by love!!

But first, Daniel's older brother, Dale, could not wait to meet his new nephew, so he was waiting in the parking lot! He kept saying "It's your uncle Dale!", and it was adorable!!

Mimi could not wait to get her hands on her first great-grandson! She snatched him right up! :)

The food was yummy and even though we were very tired, we really enjoyed the much-needed, overdue time with family!

Meeting Memaw, his great-great-grandmother.

Then it was great-aunt Holly's turn!

Five generations!

And uncle Dale waited patiently until we were back to the Potter's house to sit down and hold Kaladin. He kept saying, "I'll wait my turn." :)

The next day, Sunday, we went over to my Gramma's house and she couldn't believe we were there! She was so excited to meet Kaladin.

Then my Auntie Jeanette swiftly scooped him up next! ;) She was getting in her practice as she was about to be a Grandmother herself in about 7 short months! But nobody else in the family knew, except for me ;) Very difficult to keep that one a secret...(more about that later).

Monday, we went to a friend's house. Where we played a board game. That had a sword as one of the pieces. This is what happened when Daniel gave it to Kaladin...

Visiting with everyone at the party; being the life of the party haha :)

So many faces...

After the party died down and we put Kaladin to bed, the guys went to smoke a few cigars out back...

But then they realized I was taking pics, so they had to pose. They just *had* to.

The next morning, I had a hair appointment.

On the way back from the appointment, I caught Kaladin noticing his hand for the first time! It was so adorable!! (I love having the mirror!)

Then we spent the next couple of days at my parents house.

And Jeanette's dog got jealous of the baby...

My mom got a bouncer to have at her house...safe to say, Kaladin enjoyed it!

Then we went to visit Gramma again :)

Christmas Eve is when Daniel's family gets together at Mimi's for presents and delicious food!

Aunt Holly had some presents to hand out, so she dressed the part ;)

Last year, they started an annual thing where all the guys wear the same shirt. It was plaid last year...

...and this year, they were "Sleighin' It"!

Even Kaladin was apart of the tradition! Kind of...

The chair that Kaladin napped on, was Pop's (Daniel's grandfather) chair. I am so glad we captured this moment of him so peacefully sleeping where Pop used to spend a lot of time and where we last got to see him! He gave us many great talks whilst sitting in that chair ;) He was a true man of God that loved God and loved his family! I never once felt like I married into his family; he always made me feel like I was one of his very own grandchildren!! I will always cherish the short time I got to be in his life. I have so many fond, fun, and hilarious memories with that man.

Christmas morning, we woke up at the Potter's and had a birthday cake for Jesus for breakfast. Mmm!

And then opened presents.

Had Mrs. Potter's delicious annual Christmas brunch, eggs benedict with filet mignon. And then we opened stockings!

Then it was off to Gramma's house for family time, presents, games, and Christmas dinner.

In our family, it is tradition that the cousins wear something silly for a picture. This year, it was mustaches.

~~Stolen~~ borrowed, from Angela's IG ;)

For kicks and giggles, here's a few from previous years. Wish I could find more...

1998

2010

2011

This was the first Christmas without my Grampa. I was not home when he passed and I had not really been able to mourn the loss of him. So being at his house, without him there, was very a overwhelming realization for me that he was gone. My Auntie Laurie ordered all of us ornaments in his memory. They were so sweet and I finally had my "cry it out" moment. Grampa had nicknames for everybody in our family. Mine is "Smiley" and I have no doubt he would have named Kaladin "Smiley #2". The ornaments had our nicknames on the back! Such a sweet gift at a very difficult time. We miss Grampa dearly!!

Surrounding Christmas Day, we had a lot of travel time going back and forth between both families. And it was all so worth it!

I love watching old home videos. So, one night, at the Potter's, we watched a few. This was the best... Daniel pushing his little brother down the slide.

When we were at my Gramma's house, I had been texting with my best friend from college, Ashley, and she came over to see us and meet Kaladin!! I was so glad to see her and catch up! She took the time out of her day after getting off work to visit and I am so thankful she did because it had been too long. She is the dearest friend that never lets distance, nor time between conversations, change the dynamic of our friendship. I love her dearly!!...Even when she never passes up an opportunity to make fun of my shortness ;P

New Year's Eve, we spent at the Potter's.

We left Georgia on the 3rd of January, so the night before, we all went out to Mexican so we could say our goodbyes and have one last evening together with both families! It is rare that both families get together so this was a special time for us. And it was over yummy food, which is always a bonus! ;)

But Kaladin was the life of the party...

The next morning, we said our goodbye's to the Potter's and then hit the road!

Before we got to come home to Georgia, my sister got engaged around Thanksgiving time! :) Congrats to her and our future brother-in-law, Johnny!

My late paternal grandmother had two wedding sets, I got her first set and Jeanette got her second! So special!! <3

Another happy news when we were home in Georgia, was that my cousin shared the great news that she was expecting her first child! :) My cousins and I are close in age so for my cousin to have a baby close to Kaladin's age was very exciting for me.

This was back in March '14