Christmas Day I cooked up a big ol' delicious dinner. The Gover's came over for dinner. We had all the fixin's! I cooked the turkey....and this amazing sweet potato casserole! I will have to post the recipe. It was sooo good! Rob & Kristie brought over a ham, dressing, mashed potatoes. And we even had more! We had such a wonderful Christmas. Mark's mom, Kellen, came into town. Jolie was very excited to have her here!

The day after Christmas we made the quick drive to St. Augustine to see the lights.

"oooo.....pretty lights" Jolie was very impressed! :)

SANTA WAS HERE!!!

This was Jolie's 2nd Christmas. She doesn't quite understand the Santa thing yet...

but she sure was a grateful recipient!!!

She LOVED her blocks and wooden cookie set. She's been baking cookies all week!

Hope you had a blessed holiday....

and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas memories...

Christmas Eve Service last year...

Jolie had just started walking about a month prior... she teetered around with her buddy Smyth. I can't belive how much she has changed in a year!

Smoky Mtns

We went to the North Carolina Smoky Mountains...Let's just say I want to go back! We had such a good time. Our cabin was located just outside of Bryson City. If you notice in the picture below...our cabin was on top of the mountain! The view was amazing! God's work is amazing!

check out the cabin rental we used....definitely recommend!

www.watershedcabins.com

We spent one day in Asheville, visiting the Biltmore. (see previous post) We also spent an afternoon in Bryson City. The local news: momma bear and her cub up in a tree. Yes...we're those smart people who just had to go take a peak. but we kept our distance! :)

Bryson City has so many great little shops. Also the home of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, which hosts a Polar Express train ride. We were hoping to go on the Polar Express, but just missed it by one day. Another reason to go back!

Biltmore Mansion

America's largest home, located in Asheville, NC.
Completed in 1895
Vanderbilt Family
I believe it has 42 bathrooms!
and countless bedrooms!

Here are a few photos of the dinning room. Which was amazing! The ceilings reach 7 stories high. The room also has it's own pipe organ. We weren't able to get any other photos....we didn't know picture taking wasn't allowed. So, that's all folks!

good till the last...drop

It is chilly and rainy here today....
I have our little electric wood burning stove on....it's keeping me nice and toasty.

Jolie and I had to run a few errand this morning....
I walked outside to the smell of Maxwell House...Good till the last drop!
The Maxwell House factory is downtown, about 10 miles north of our house. I could smell the roasting coffee beans. It kinda made it feel winter-y. :)
and....it was cold enough to see me breath, that's the first this year!
I'm so happy cool weather is here!

today...is different

Mark gave an awesome sermon at church today. Just talking about how life doesn't always turn out as we have planned. (Today is ... different) Sometimes our life takes a drastic turn, someday you may get that phone call at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Jeremiah 1:19 "They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

The struggles of life will happen. but don't forget that God is for you...even when it seems He is not there. God is protecting you, even when it seems He isn't. God is watching over you, even when it seems He is ignoring you. God is loving you, even when who or what you love is gone.

I hope and pray that God is my portion....that I will seek Him and He will give me strength in the day to day of life.

_______________________________

Jolie and I after church...

she was being cute, as always! ;)

look at her pose...hand on hip! sassy pants!

Mark and I are trying to figure out where we went wrong???

Pray for us....a rebellious streak is starting to shine through:

LOL!!! ;)

holiday cheer

the excitement of Christmas!

Jolie was so really looking forward to meeting Santa...

as we waited in line.... "Santa...Santa!"

She was so excited.

Then...Mark asked her if she was going to sit on Santa's lap.

meltdown!

nooooo!!!!! I even tried to sit with her and Santa, didn't work.

Our attempt to get a picture of Jolie with Santa failed. As I got up Jolie was wrapped around my leg for dear life. poor girl, she was so stressed out by the end of this. As soon as we get 20 feet away, Jolie was saying "Santa" in her sweet little happy voice again.

our skinny little Christmas tree...

Jolie 'helped' me decorate the tree for the first time.

she's such a good little helper...although, I'm so afraid she going to break something. I guess it's bound to happen. I've been finding random miss-placed ornaments in the tree.

twinkle twinkle

We decided to put Christmas lights up outside for the first time, ever!
Jolie thinks it's great.... "oh...pretty"
Christmas will be so much fun this year!

Outdoor Christmas lights: check
Christmas tree: check
Fireplace mantel: check
Louisville Christmas tree: check

I couldn't wait till after Thanksgiving!!!
Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

mark's opinion: wear sunblock!

poor Mark....he was so mad at me for taking this picture.
He had to have a Basel cell removed.
Thank God he noticed the spot early on....
The amount removed was fairly small, about the size of a kidney bean.
(the bandage makes it look worse)
But my poor boy had to have his face cut!
Mark suggests that you wear sunblock...
The doctor recommends SPF 70, DAILY! just FYI

especially if you live in Florida!

I followed my mother's request and visited the dermatologist also. Dad had a malignant melanoma removed earlier this year. I have to be careful with my pasty white skin! ;)

the C family

such a wonderful family! I am so thankful God has crossed our paths at Mission Way Church. They are like family...we'll even be spending Thanksgiving with them. :) Well...this wonderful family needed some wonderful family pictures...and I enjoy taking pictures.

weekend in Wisconsin...

I love her. I love to hear her life stories. I love to visit with her. I am so glad Jolie and I were able to go home for her birthday weekend. Our time there was short and fast...but I wouldn't miss it!

Breakfast with Kristy and her boys, Koen and Ethan. We met up just for an hour or so, but it was so good to see Kristy. I'm so happy for Kristy...her dream of being a wife and mommy has come true...she's living the dream. We all know the 'dream' has it's trying moments, but there is nothing better.

Jolie & Koen ♥

puppy l♥ve
Mom's new puppy, Lucy. Such a cuddle bug!

My girl...

I think you should also know that Jolie was such a good little traveler!!! PTL! My hands were full-with a suitcase, diaper bag, purse, and a toddler. I didn't know if I would make it to the gate...I actually borrowed one of those backpack/leash deals. That thing saved my life! :)

Grandma's 90th Birthday Party

Happy 90th Birthday Irene!

Family & Friends celebrating her big day! She loved all the attention!

It was a perfect weekend for a party. Fall in Wisconsin... it felt so good coming from Florida's heart. Mom and Dad with their grand-girls :)

5 Generations

Grandma, Great-Grandma, Granddaughter