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Scroll all the way down this entry to see video of the kids on Christmas morning.
We caravaned back to Louisiana with Monique's parents from her big graduation weekend in the ATL for a long Christmas break. As soon as we pulled into the driveway in Louisiana after the nine hour ride, there was a big family event to go to right in the neighborhood. Nothing like great fellowship and food after a long ride. The kids jumped right in playing with their cousins.
Little did Quadson know, he would have his own bike in a few days.
We were able to hook up for dinner with our buddies, Tommy and Lorren. Monique and Lorren have been friends since birth.
Like crazy people, we could not resist a trip to the mall amongst all the shoppers before Christmas. It actually was quite calm.
After a day or so in town, we headed to the true boonies of Louisiana to visit our other buddies, Doyle, and Monique's cousin, Gina, and their two boys. They recently were moved by the Army to Fort Polk, LA. They are the "happening" couple on this dead base, so Gina and Major Doyle hosted a Christmas party for a good 40 folk, complete with invitations, greatly displayed food, etc.
A couple after our own hearts. 
Gina concocted the biggest pot of gumbo. Both our kids could fit in this pot.
Out in the driveway, there was a nice fire that the kids used to make s'mores.
Gina is the model military wife. More than the model!! Every 3 years they move, and within weeks she and Doyle have made what are sometimes dismal living conditions, a castle. She is a true decorator. Leslie is finishing a nap in Logan's jungle room, complete with palm tree, 8 foot tall wooden giraffe and netting over the bed.
Monique, Leslie and Gina
Quadson, the non-sugar eater, just held his marshmellow over the fire while everyone else ate and replinished. His turned into a rock.
Their house on base was like a mirage in a desert.
We made it back to Monique's neck of the woods two hours away from Ft. Polk to prepare for her after-graduation get-together...more food.
Of course the display was fantastic...
...as was the brunch. The jambalaya quiches and the salmon-potato cakes were a huge hit. It was another great gathering two days before Christmas.
Quadson and Zoie, born the same day, had the best cousin-time.
Gina and Doyle made the trip from Fort Polk to Baton Rouge to spend the holiday with their families. His parents started a tradition of having their 11 kids, 26 grands, and 1 great grand over for gumbo and snacks...more food. Here they sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, which was followed by a visit from St. Nick.
All attendees were asked to bring one gift from under their trees, so that Santa could present something to each child out of his bag.
We picked a small gift...electric toothbrushes. These 26 grandkids were getting major gifts. Quadson and Leslie were looking at all the dolls and race cars and video games, then looking at us as they held their toothbrushes. They looked so pathetically funny. We know next year to bring something "bigger." The Pressure!!!
...with Gina and Doyle's boys.
On Christmas Eve, the kids left "Santa" cookies and rice milk.
Monique and I were up til 4am, so her parents left us all to rest as they attended early Christmas Day Mass. When they returned, we were all dressed up anyway, just to take some family photos.
As soon as she opened clothing presents, she wanted them on. She loves to wear everyone's shoes, especially heels, so Monique bought her some wedge heel shoes to play in, that she actually will be able to wear soon.
Quadson and cousin, Angelle. She looks so much like Leslie Mykael.
He was SET.
Monique and her "little cousins," now mothers themselves.
A visit with cousins the day after Christmas.
We could not believe Quadson put on these pink skates. He is so anti-pink. The girls held him up for a while since it was his first time in skates, but he eventually wanted to go solo. So, we pillowed his bottom and he was all set.
Since we celebrate Christmas away from home for 10 days or more, we have not had a real tree in a few years. This is Quadson's dino/snake tree. 
Leslie loved her girly pink and brown bow tree. 
We enjoyed our own artificial skinny alpine tree decked out in silver, as well. We had a lit, nodding reindeer on our backyard hill, a lit up tree on the front of the house, as well as a Kwanzaa wreath made by Monique.
Even after we got back to Atlanta after Christmas, there were packages arriving.
Somebody knows Leslie's favorite colors.
Then we visited my parents where there were more gifts for these blessed kids. 
One last pose with the fish.
One last pose with the fish.
My grandmother was in awe.
