Valero Alamo Bowl

We LOVED finding tickets in our stockings to the Valero Alamo Bowl featuring a showdown between Baylor and Washington! Baylor, having perhaps their best season ever, was hoping for their tenth win and we were excited to be able to take some time off work to see it!

We got down to San Antonio early, took the obligatory pic at the Alamo, and met the Hardages for a little lunch on the Riverwalk. We later met up with both of our families at Mi Tierra and then met up with some friends at the Friendly Spot pre-game. 

Loved getting to see some friends before the game!

John and I with our sisters, Megan and Rebekah. 

Mimi and Pawpaw came down for the game as well! 

John's parents gave him a t-shirt that quotes William Barrett Travis' letter to Sam Houston during the siege of the Alamo, "P.S. The Lord is on our side..."

(Also, I'm sure John would like for everyone to know that he can recite the entire letter by heart. It's true, I have heard it several times.)

Baylor won in one of the most suspenseful games, EVER. We stayed afterward to watch the celebration and take in the milestone of Baylor football. (Balloon + fireworks makes me really nervous....)

Following the victory, we headed to the Hardages' hotel for our celebratory champagne toast. Winning is fun.

Cheers!

Thank you Baylor football for a fun-filled and and exciting games since September. Here's hoping the 2012 season is as good, or even better! 

Christmas at Nana's

Christmas morning at Nana's is one of my favorite traditions. We head over around ten for coffee, OJ, muffins and sausage balls. 

Mom and Mindy

Amy and Clay

Cousins

Being at Nana's house makes it really feel like Christmas, as she decks the halls with decorations from the decades. She's always a wonderful hostess and taught me the motto, "Treat your guests like family and your family like guests."

The tree is filled with ornaments from their years of travel. 

Christmas village. Probably a pain to put up, but always worth admiring. 

We all have stockings made by Mammaw many, many years ago. 

Pretty tablescape

Mammaw, my 93 year-old great-grandmother, was able to join us for the day as well. 

Mom and Dad

During the middle of opening presents a phone started ringing. Nana realized it was one of her presents and opened it to find her first iPhone. 

Following the presents we eat a delicious, leisurely lunch of grilled pork tenderloin (courtesy of John) roasted mustard potatoes, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, brussels sprouts and dressing. And maybe some gingerbread and buttermilk pie too. :)