Merry Christmas

        Locke and I arrived in Richardson on Wednesday evening after a long twelve hour drive from Nashville. Poor Locke had to drive the whole way with a carsick dog and sick Vicky along for the ride. I went to bed early shortly after arriving and woke up Thursday morning feeling much better... just a 24 hour bug! Thursday was a day of grocery shopping with Mom. Then we went to dinner at Silver Fox with my family to celebrate my mom's belated birthday (December 13). After dinner, Locke and I met up with Melanie and her boyfriend, Bill, at Sherlock's in Dallas and enjoyed chatting and catching up.

        Friday was a day filled with baking and napping. Then we had family over for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of yummy tamales, queso dip, homemade guacamole, tortillas, rice and beans. After dinner we went to church and then to bed with visions of sugar plums... except for my mom who stayed up till 1:30 a.m. still baking.  

         Christmas morning my grandparents came over and we enjoyed coffee and apple turnovers before the gift extravaganza began. For two hours we took turns opening gifts from Santa and family. Then we took our traditional family photo amongst the Christmas wrapping and boxes.

          Now everyone is relaxing (except for mom who is still baking and cooking!). Later today we will have around 20 people over for a big Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

 

Garth Brooks

Locke and I enjoyed a night out at the Garth Brooks' Nashville flood relief concert Monday night. It was so much fun! Trisha Yearwood joined him for their duet and then sang a couple of her own songs.

We had such a great time... even from our our 3rd level nose bleed seats. :)

Let is snow!

It's our first snow in the new house!

View from the backyard

Abby taking a little stretch in the snow.

Deck the Halls...

Tonight Locke and I decorated for our first Christmas in our new house. :) I love unwrapping each ornament and all the memories each one brings. I look forward to the memories each new ornament will hold years down the road.

And check out our new book shelf we bought last weekend at an antique store on the way back from Albany, GA.

Let's eat!

We bought a dining room table and chairs! It's from Merridian. 

So now we have plenty of seating for all of you to come over for dinner.

Giving Thanks

Locke and I have enjoyed visiting with his family in Albany, GA this Thanksgiving holiday. We arrived in Albany Wednesday evening after a long drive from Nashville with stops at an antique shop or two (at my husband's request...really!). Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed a delicious feast prepared by my mother in law. The Hunters, Ronnie and Barbara, Phillip, Jeff and Jenny with Macy and Madison joined Locke and I, Laura and Bobby, BF and Marilyn. We ate outside; it was a beautiful day! So much for which to be thankful!!!

In following tradition....Friday morning began with 4 am shopping for me (I got some great deals!) and then I met the rest of the gang at Pearly's for breakfast. After a delicious breakfast, we went over to BF and Marilyn's and then enjoyed a trip to Old Mill Furniture where we found a possible dining room table and a piece of furniture for the foyer. Friday ended with another delicious meal prepared by Laura.

Today Laura and I went shopping (yes, I was braving the mall again... and again found some good bargains!) while Locke and Bobby went to see a family friend's new hunting cabin and his bird dogs. Then we went back to the furniture store to take some measurements, but I still can't make a final decision on the table or the piece for the foyer. Hmmmm....

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, bike riding, playing cards, and visiting (oh and of course eating another yummy meal made by my mother in law :) ).

Tomorrow morning we'll head out early so I can get back and get some work done to get prepared for Monday.

All in all it has been a wonderful, relaxing vacation. The only thing missing was my family. I love you Mom, Dad, and Michael and missed seeing you and the rest of the family this Thanksgiving.

I have so much for which to be thankful! God is so good. I am overwhelmed.

Camping - Foster Falls

This weekend Locke and I (and Abby) went camping with 3 couples from our church, the Ambrefes, the McMillians, and the Del Rios. We went to South Cumberland State Park and stayed a TVA campsite at Foster Falls. The Del Rios were kind enough to go early on Friday to secure a campsite and set up our tents for the rest of us! They also brought all the food for everyone... thank you Cathy and Luis!!

Cathy and Luis slaving over breakfast!

Friday night we got to the campground around 7:30 just in time for hot dogs, baked beans, and of course...s'mores! Saturday we woke to the sounds of snoring (we won't name names), a rooster, and PJ breaking a huge tree limb into pieces.... gotta love camping! We had bacon and pancakes with chocolate chips and walnuts! YUM! Then we went for a hike at Greeter Falls. The fall colors were beautiful!!! Unfortunately there hasn't been much rain around here so the falls were barely dripping. Even Abby went on the hike with us... she was such a trooper! Saturday afternoon we ate sandwiches followed by a delicious chili dinner...and of course s'mores again! Saturday night we sat around the camp fire and played an exciting game of Scategories. We had such a good time. Sunday morning we just woke up and packed up. We had a great time and hope to do it again soon.

 

Cathy and Luis on top of Greeter Falls

Brent and Locke just chillin'.

That's our tent in the background.

Me, Brent, Cathy, and Locke relaxing Saturday morning.

The whole gang at the trail head of Greeter Falls.

The Men.

Our little family at Greeter Falls.

Heather and PJ at the top of Greeter Falls.

Marcy, Brent, and Elijah on Greeter Falls

San Antonio

Last weekend I flew to San Antonio to visit my grandparents. I stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house (my Dad's parents), but also spent some time with Nana and Popo (my mom's parents). My dad also flew down for the weekend so I got to visit with him as well. We had such a good, relaxing time... maybe too relaxing because I did a lot of sleeping. We also ate A LOT... it was delicious. We had yummy Tex-Mex, went to a family style home-cookin' restaurant in Welfare TX, and at sweet pies at Marie Calendars. Here's a couple of pics from lunch with Grandma and Grandpa.

Welcome Home Abby!

I brought Abby home today! Unfortunately, Locke is out of town tonight so he won't see our new girl till tomorrow evening. When Abby and I got home, we went outside for a little while, but she was spayed today so she is really tired. She just curled up in the grass beside me. When we came inside she found her crate and cuddled up inside to sleep (that's where she is now). She's been thirsty but not hungry, but the paperwork I got from the Vet that spayed her said that was normal for her not to be hungry for a couple days after the surgery. Tomorrow I take her to the vet for her rabies shot. The shelter gave me a voucher for her rabies shot that I can take to my vet (well not MY vet, but the vet I take Dublin and Sky Blue to) and I shouldn't have to pay for the shot. Hopefully in a couple days after she recovers from the surgery and tomorrow's shot and feels more comfortable at home, she'll perk up a little.

Abby did meet the cats. It was interesting. Sky Blue was just curious, which I expected, but usually docile Dublin went all cat crazy. As Abby walked across the sun room (where the cats stay) to the back door, Dublin puffed up, jumped off the couch, ran at Abby, hissed and swatted. Poor Abby let out a yelp. I quickly ushered Abby outside and scolded Dublin. Dublin has lived with a dog before so I think she will be fine after they get acquainted. I do remember that when Dublin was introduced to Sky Blue all she did was puff up and hiss for several days and now she and Sky Blue are the best of friends. Hopefully in a few days when everyone gets to know each other there will be peace in the McKinney house. :)

Abigail Eve McKinney

We have decided to call our new dog, Abby. Eve will be her middle name. So it's officially Abigail (Abby) Eve McKinney. We bought her crate, food, food and water bowls, toys, collar, leash, and collar tag today. I am so excited! I can't wait until Tuesday night when we bring her home!

I think the cats think the new stuff is for them (especially the toys); they are going to have a rude awakening come Tuesday :) I will post about how the cats take to our new addition after they're introduced.

A New Addition to the McKinney Household

We adopted a dog today! Her name is Eve and she is a small Beagle mix. She is a year old and so cute!!! She still has to be spayed and the vet at the shelter doesn't work until Tuesday, so we can't pick her up until Tuesday afternoon. We are so excited to welcome Eve into the family! Here are some pics:

Bangs :)

I got a haircut today...nothing too drastic, but I did add bangs and layers... here's a pic of the back and front:

On July 28th, Locke and I bought our first home together! Here are pictures of closing and of the moving truck in front of our new house!

Pictures of the inside of the house will be posted as we get things unpacked, organized, and decorated!

Proud Aunt

Is Tessa not the most adorable baby?! I love my Tessa time :)

One year down...

and hopefully many more to come! :) This past Sunday, July 11, was our 1 year anniversary. We have had an incredible year! We celebrated our anniversary at a little cabin called Rustic Hideaway at Covemountain Resorts. It was so much fun! We cooked our meals, played pool, and relaxed in our cabin's personal hot tub! We also visited Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and went for a short hike in the Smokies. Below are some pictures from the trip.

I am blessed to be married to such a loving and supportive husband!