Christmas in NC

This was the year for the kids to all come home for Christmas.  We had been planning on it for some time but then we all started doing some thinking and chatting.  You know, money has so much to do with these kinds of chats!  :)  Anyway, Carrie called one day and wondered about the possibilities of us all meeting at a cabin in TN or something like that.  I started checking into it but let me tell you, a cabin in TN for Christmas was so far out of our price range I almost got tickled!  Notice I said almost!!!  Well, I remembered this cabin in NC that we had gone to several years ago with my extended family and so the search was on.  It became a little comical in some ways - got in touch with a friend on Facebook who reminded me of someone else who reminded me of the person I needed to talk to about the cabin.  I sent a FB message and the response was "Yes, it is available - we just had a cancellation this morning for those exact dates".  I shall insert a hearty "Thank you Jesus" right here!  A few phone calls back and forth with the kids and many, many FB messages later and the plans were set!  In the weeks and days leading up to December 20th, it was pretty much all we could talk about!!  

Ashley and Andrew left IN around 3:30 that day and Dave and I left an hour later.  The FL kids headed north around 5:30 or so.  The drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway was interesting with blowing snow due to high winds but we finally all arrived safe and sound in shifts between 2:00am and 6:00 am.  And then, the fun began!  Let's see, there was food, games, food, naps, food, pool tournaments, food, sleep here and there, food, Foosball games, food, devotions with Dave, and food!  So, can anyone tell what we did the most of???  That would be eating!  But we had so much fun!  Everyone kept saying over and over "We have to do this again"!!!!

I am not a photographer - wouldn't even pretend to be.  And, there are a few members of the family who shall remain nameless that do not care for picture taking......although that is putting it mildly!  But, I begged and pleaded for some family pictures!  No, they aren't perfect but they are us and that is all that matters!!  

This is all of us!  Love, love my family!  Every single one of them!!

 

My hubby and I!  I love this man - I would not trade him for anything!  He is the best husband, dad and Papaw in the world and the laughter going on in this cabin because of him was constant!!

The original 5!  

The original 3 - best kids ever!  And their spouses are the best as well!!

 No we are not proud grandparents or anything!  Nope, not at all!!

 David, Christa, Addison and David III, or Quimsa, or Buddy, or Little D or any other number of names!  The poor baby will be so confused!! :))

 Josh and Carrie

Andrew, Ashley and Baby E!

It is very safe to say that a good time was had by all!  We truly are blessed with our family and we are so thankful for what Jesus is doing with all of us!