One...two...three

One of Cole's new favorite pastimes is emptying the bathroom cabinets, lining up all the lotions, perfumes, etc., and counting them over and over. I was drying my hair the other day and when I looked down, this is what I saw...

One...two...three...

A Proud Sister

I have been such proud sister this past week. My younger brother, Kyle, will graduate from Nossi College of Art this month with a degree in photography and had his portfolio review last Thursday. All the seniors set up booths for the family to view as well as graphic art/photography businesses and professionals. I must say that Kyle's was one of the best there. I was so proud to see him using the talents God gave him while he talked and shared with people as they browsed through his work. He was even approached by a CMT photographer about the possibility of some clients...wow!

To check out Kyle's photos, go to http://www.kgcapture.com/. He has done numerous weddings, family sessions, infant/baby photos, etc. I am so proud!!

Lights on 109

With Cole's fascination with all the lights this year, we wanted to take him to the decorated house on Hwy. 109 and drive through. We stopped by Mom G's house for dinner last Friday night and brought her along for the ride. In all her years of driving past, she had never stopped and driven through, so it was a treat for her as well.
Cole LOVED all the lights...that's probably an understatement. He was fascinated. We rolled down the windows, despite the cold air, to hear the holiday music. Cole also loved looking through the sunroof at all the arched lights overhead. A special treat was getting a candycane from Santa in his workshop and a kiss from Frosty.
When asked what Santa says, Cole usually responds "HO, HO, HO!"...so cute! We thought we would show out with this Santa, so when he gave Cole a candycane I promptly asked, "Cole, what does Santa say?". His answer..."Hello Cole!".

Opryland Christmas

I love Opryland Hotel. I guess it holds a special place in my heart because that is where Michael proposed to me 8 years ago. We love going back every now and then, walking and enjoying the sights. Last year, we decided to make it a Christmas tradition to go every year with Cole and look at all the lights (one day we'll show him the bench where his daddy proposed :)).
Last year was fun strolling Cole and watching his little eyes dance. This year was even more fun!
Not only did Papa and Gigi join us, but Cole LOVED all the lights, sights, and sounds. He was mesmerized by everything he saw and wanted to touch them all. Our night began with dinner at the Water's Edge International buffet in the Delta. It was delicious and we had great seats...right by the huge water show. After dinner, we began our sightseeing. We loved looking at all the trees, lights, and other decorations. Although it hardly changes from year to year, it's always breathtaking. After wandering through the Delta and Magnolia lobby, we headed to the Cascades and Garden Conservatory. The lights were beautiful and they even had a spot set up where you could send an email to Santa...no more postage stamps :-) We also happened upon the Rockabilly Christmas concert. This is a free show Wednesday-Sunday nights at 6, 7, and 8. They sing some of the classic Christmas carols with an 'Elvis-rock' twist. It was so much fun and the whole crowd was movin' and groovin'. Cole really enjoyed the show as well. We had a wonderful night together and can't wait to go back again next year.
Just one little tip...park at Opry Mills and walk over unless you want to pay $18 for parking! You can also get your parking validated if you eat inside the hotel.

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A Heavenly Christmas

A beautiful poem posted by Laura on her blog that I thought fitting for my family as well. May it bless those of you that have seen loved ones go to be with the Lord this year...

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
With tiny lights like Heaven's stars, reflected in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular; please wipe away your tears,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
But their sound can't compare with the Christmas choir up here!
I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring,
It is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see your broken heart,
But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.
Thank you for your kindness, you know I hold you dear,
Be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ, this year.

I send to you a special gift from Heaven, my home above.
I send to you the memory of my undying love.
The gift of love is precious, more precious than pure gold,
And always most important, in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep those others, as my Father said to do.
I just can't count the blessings He has in store for you!
So have a merry Christmas, and wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!

Reflections on Thanksgiving

We've been so busy that I'm just now posting about Thanksgiving! With Dad G's going home, this year was different for our family. Instead of traveling to Gatlinburg, we stayed here to enjoy the holiday together. Although we were home, we tried to keep to some of our traditions just the same.

Michael, Cole, and I headed over to my parent's home on Wednesday night. We stayed through Saturday! Even though they are only 20 minutes away, it felt so good and "normal" for all of us to stay together through the holiday. We woke up early Thursday morning to the tunes of the Macy's parade and yummy scents floating through the house. Mom G came over and we all enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving lunch together. The mood was a little somber, but we laughed, joked, and enjoyed being together...it was beautiful to see Mom G laughing again. Thursday afternoon was spent planning our shopping route for Friday, watching Christmas shows, and addressing Christmas cards (which I still haven't sent!). That night, we headed upstairs for an informal pool tournament. I must say that I shocked myself...I wasn't half bad!

Friday was a shopping day for the women. Now, we're not the wake up at 4:00 a.m. type. We enjoyed a breakfast spread of waffles, bacon, and biscuits and finally hit the stores around 10:30. We stayed out until 4:00...we found good deals and had lots of fun. Friday evening my parents went to a friend's home for dinner, so Michael and I had the house to ourselves. After laying Cole down for the evening, we went up to the new theater room and watched Kung Fu Panda that Michael had rented earlier that day. It felt like a date!

Saturday was spent playing outside in the leaves, putting up mom's Christmas tree, drinking hot chocolate/cider and relaxing. That evening, our extended family came over to watch The Polar Express. My grandparents hadn't seen it and LOVED it!

All in all, it was a wonderful holiday spent focusing on how much the Lord has blessed us. We hope yours was wonderful as well!

Fun in the leaves

Making handprint turkeys with Papa

Decorating the tree with Gigi

The family getting ready to watch The Polar Express

It's Beginning to look alot like Christmas...

This year has been so much fun decorating the house/tree with Cole. Michael and I have always enjoyed doing these things together since we got married, and it's so wonderful to be able to share this joy with Cole. Last year, Cole had just turned one...he "helped" some but basically just admired the tree. What a difference a year makes! This year, he is helping to decorate EVERYTHING! Watching his eyes light up at all the new decorations as I continued to pull them out of the attic was so cute. "Whoa!" was the favorite term for the day :-) He really loved the Nativity set and it was beautiful to be able to share the true meaning of Christmas with him. He loves talking and singing to Baby Jesus...childlike faith and innocence is so humbling to watch. It reminds me to keep the wonder of the season and not get caught up in the "busy"ness of the holiday.
Decorating the tree(s) was fun as well. We don't have a color theme...all of our ornaments are from our travels (with the exception of a few...Baby's first Christmas, etc.) Reflecting on all the memories as we hang each ornament is always a favorite of ours. Cole's favorite ornament is a bell from the Grand Canyon...it plays "Jingle Bells". I may have to hang that one a little higher :-) I have a feeling I'll be tired of the carol before Christmas is over! He also enjoyed decorating the tree in his room with 'sporty' Santas, tin soldiers, etc., compliments of Mom G.
We've had so much fun and the season is just beginning!

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