Wonderful Visit

Last week we had the best time visiting Neal, Lindsay and our nephews in Nashville. Adam's mom, Lynn, was so sweet to buy our plane tickets so the three of us could go visit. It was awesome. It had been a really long time since all of us had been together for a , and I am so thankful we were able to make more memories. My nephews are the most loving, sweet, smart and funny kids I know. I am so proud to be their aunt! Some of my favorites highlights...

• Hearing the boys ask for their Uncle Adam. It melted my heart every time I heard it!
• Reading time with Sam or Gabe. I loved the questions, the pointing at pictures, the little head on my shoulder, so sweet!
• Lots of time with my sis-in-law, Lindsay, who is one of my dearest friends. We have been going through the Bible study Believing God, and I have cherished doing that with her every week over the phone. Since I was in town, we were able to sneak away for a couple of hours and talk in person about our study over some good coffee...I am so grateful for her friendship! The Lord has taught me so many things through her.
• Watching my husband build all sorts of things with the boys. He loved every minute.
• Seeing the beautiful lights at the Opryland Hotel. They were incredible!
• Sliding down the slides at Pump It Up with the boys. What a hoot.
• Going to Lindsay's shower and celebrating precious Luke...praying for him and meeting all of her friends. That was so much fun.
• Waking up to the sounds of laughter as the boys played in the morning. I don't think I could ever get tired of that!
• Admiring Lynn as she played with the boys every minute of every day. Non-stop! I don't know how she did it...her love for them is precious.

We were so sad when we left...I actually teared up on the way to the airport. God has richly blessed us through our wonderful family, and I am thankful. Here are some pics...(and there are even more on Lindsay's blog)

My beautiful sister-in-law at Luke's shower

Reading with Sam



Jumping around at Pump It Up

Uncle Adam and Gabe

Uncle Adam building with Sam

Opening presents

Decorating the Tree

We had a wonderful time decorating the tree with Adam's mom this year. She gave us a beautiful 7 foot tree that we love! The three of us drank spiced tea, ate popcorn, listened to our favorite Christmas music and laughed together. Ahhh, I just love Christmas decor in the house!

Christmas Getting To Know You...

Lindsay posted this questionnaire on her blog and I loved it.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? definitely wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Because of allergies we go artificial, but I LOVE the smell of the real tree. Sometimes I will get a little evergreen plant to just get the smell.

3. When do you put up the tree? Different times every year. The Christmas production at church really dictates that one, because the Sunday after Thanksgiving we begin nightly rehearsals for two weeks. This year we actually got it up the first weekend in December, but last year it wasn't until mid-December.

4. When do you take the tree down the tree? Also varies...I wish we could keep it up until February, but it usually comes down the first week of the new year.

5. Do you like egg nog? Not a big fan. But I love flavored lattes from Starbucks this time of year...gingerbread, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Definitely my guitar my sophomore year in highschool. Still playing it!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I'm thinking it will be a good b-day gift idea for next year.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My brother-in-law and brother.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Amanda and my mom.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? mail

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Yikes, I guess stuff I can't use? I don't know, that's a hard one. (I stole Lindsay's answer on this one!)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Carol, the old Rudolph (from the 50's?), Elf.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? no

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Spiced tea, pecan sandies (also made by my mom).

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear

16. Favorite Christmas song? It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Oh Holy Night

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Adam leads the music at our church Christmas Eve service, so we are always home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We typically travel around those dates as we are able. Right now we are in Nashville visiting our nephews and Neal and Lindsay!

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Doner and Blitzen...but do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open one on Christmas Eve, usually pj's and then the rest on Christmas morning.

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The busy schedule

21. Favorite ornament theme or color? Any of my ornaments with memories.

22. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? My mama's sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want a sewing machine, new camera lens, fun moisturizer for my face, quality alone time with my sweetie...the list goes on...

24. Who is most likely to respond to this? Hmmm...I'm thinking Kim?

25. Who is least likely to respond to this? I never answer this one, like Carly/Lindsay said, I don't like to set up someone to be an under-achiever!

Now it's your turn!