Holiday recap

Last week was a wonderful one for our family, featuring multiple celebrations, a few too many gifts, and way too many calories -- you know, the usual. Except for that whole having a toddler thing. Christmas certainly wasn't much of an event for 4-month-old CJ last year, so this year was sort of like his first Christmas. At 16 months, he still didn't really understand what was going on -- but he loved the parties, people, and attention. And a few of his gifts got a reaction. (Spoiler alert: One of them is pictured above.)

On Christmas Eve, we visited my husband's family. CJ loves going to his grandparents' house, where they even have a puppy and two kitties. He was chasing a kitty down the hallway when he accidentally found the stashed gift from his great-grandparents. We were all sitting in the other room when we heard the gasp and shriek of delight. Minutes later, out came CJ's grandmother, pulling him behind in a bright red Radio Flyer with all-terrain tires and wood sidewalls. The kid was grinning from ear to ear. Needless to day, this will be a favorite item come springtime. CJ even relented and began paying his grandpa's "toll" of a kiss around the 50th time he circled the living room in his wagon and crossed between the armchairs.

It was wonderful sharing the joys of Christmas with our son, and we know it will continue to get more and more exciting as he grows older.

On Christmas morning, all four of CJ's grandparents and his aunt and uncle came to our house for brunch and gift opening. The stocking from Santa was pretty much a bust, but CJ did enjoy receiving an Iowa State football jersey and, the next day at his maternal grandparents' house, a new plastic scooter to play with when he came to visit.

My extended family's post-Christmas get-together was lively as always, featuring the usual games -- plus some new ones like "Christmas Family Feud" and something I'll just call "pick up candy canes with a candy cane in your mouth" (which CJ found uproariously entertaining and which I, for the record, am terrible at).

After Christmas it was off to Memphis, Tenn., for New Year's Eve and the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It was my first time in Memphis (outside of the airport), and it was great to soak in the atmosphere on Beale Street and eat my weight in cole slaw, baked beans, and white bread. Hooray, Memphis barbecue.

Because the actual Liberty Bowl was in no way, shape, or form a highlight (it was raining and my team mustered only nine first downs in a loss), I'd have to say a major highlight was attending the bowl's annual President's Gala. Being located in Memphis, the Liberty Bowl makes musical entertainment a priority each year (well, that and pageant queens...but I digress), and this year they certainly didn't disappoint when they booked The Temptations -- one of my faves and a group that I had the pleasure of seeing in concert with The Four Tops a couple of years ago. Needless to say, dancing at a black tie event to their live performance was quite an experience. It was also great to stay at the historic Peabody Hotel and watch its famous duck march. No, I did not tour Graceland. But I bought a coat at Elvis' clothier if that gives me any Memphis street cred (probably not).

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!