All the Christmas Things

(I have no idea what is going on with this weird spacing thing at the top.  I"ll get on that in 2016.)

We have had a busy december as usual around here.

We visited Gatlinburg with my sister and her family and rode the Polar Express in Bryson City.

Carsyn got down to a little bluegrass and Hank tried to lift a boulder out of the display for his rock collection.

We stayed at the Buckberry Lodge again and stayed warm by the fire.

The babes thoroughly enjoyed every minute and I think they just might be on Santa's good list.

No trip is complete without visits to Dollywood, Mellow Mushroom, Bass Pro Shops, and Apple Barn.

Happy Birthday Aunt Mel!

The sweetest cousins!

We spent afternoons baking cookies, decking the halls, and decorating trees.

Sometimes we'd hang at our local favorite for lunch.



We managed to make a few trips to EKY to visit.



We celebrated Rosie's birthday.

I celebrated with my new neighbors.

We visited the tree lot and consumed no less than 39 marshmallows.

Of course no Christmas is complete without visits from Noodles and Blue Thunder.

We also sang Christmas carols with our classmates.

And wrapped it all up with a visit to Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

American Girl..

Check.

Tiffanys..



Check.

Green Hills Mall..

Check.

One hour wait for dinner at the hotel..

Check.

Naps..

Check.

Frustration with shopping too much..



Check.

Making up with momma..

Check.

Only one more sleep till Christmas!

Thankful Thoughts

Wow. I cannot believe its already the ninth day of December.  Where did November go?

Y'all probably know Thanksgiving is my favorite, favorite holiday so before we get into holiday spice flat whites (which are the yummiest), trees full of sap, and little elf spies, lets recap a few thankful thoughts.

Thankful for these 2 blonde beauties and all the love they hold in their hearts..

And of course these 4 babes who are always up to something or conspiring together.

This beauty who happens to be an amazing SIL and aunt.

This woman who prepares a Thanksgiving feast suited for a King but doesn't bat an eye at the request of a PB and J.

This man and all he has taught my husband without ever failing to listen.

These 2.. 

Because everything from buying groceries for a Thanksgiving feast to waiting 2 hours while your car gets serviced is always an adventure.

This little girl, who celebrated her big 2 year birthday and always puts a smile on my face.

These people..  Who have tolerated my boot wearing grouchiness for countless weeks.

This girl, who never complains and smiles incessantly..

Cute cousins that can make it through an entire Charlie Brown movie when supplied with plenty of popcorn and diet coke.

The opportunity to see Broadway shows in your own backyard and family members that trust you when you insist they accompany you

So, that's it.  Guess I'd better get back to decking the halls with these little turkeys.