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!!!

 

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.

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.