Christmas In the South

Merry Christmas

Three years ago, our family started a little tradition of sorts of going south for Christmas. Normally we would spend Christmas on the farm or down at the family cabin in the mountains of northwest Arkansas but my grandparents are getting up there in age and only have a small finite number of Christmas' left to celebrate. So in the interest of maximizing their remaining years, we travel down south to Florida where they live (now year round for the first time this year) and rent a place along the Gulf for some rest and relaxation with them.

Last year I spent a couple days with my grandfather mining shells in the beach, which I blogged about here. I also spent several afternoons playing cards with my grandmother who taught me all I know about card gambling.  My brother and his wife and two kids show up along with my parents and we all have a good time. We all savor them thinking that this year might be the last time.

Fortunately for me and my grandparents, last year wasn't the last time and in a few days, I'm heading south to the Gulf. From experience, I know that I won't even pick up a computer the entire time I am down there so I will see you all when I get back after the first of the year. I can catch up on your blogs then. Because my wife is on maternity leave and as a Child Behavioral Modification Therapist (aka stay at home dad), my vacation time off is pretty good so we may dwaddle a bit on the way down and back. Stop and smell the roses so to speak.