Thanksgiving/Christmas

Janet setting the table.

We all gathered at Janet and Nick's in Huntsville for the holiday weekend.  My children are all so scattered it is a rare treat for us all to be together.  A couple of days before we met, we decided to celebrate Christmas as well.  So Thursday was Thanksgiving, Friday was Christmas Eve, and Saturday was Christmas!!!  We were busy.

Homemade rolls - this recipe
was handed down by my grandmother.
A family tradiiont!

Nick was in charge of the turkey.  He and Sarah did some kind of brine, etc.  It was delicious!!!  I've never done anything but the traditional method. The rest of us contributed various things and it was a great meal.

That night we had "game night", etc.

The family!!!!  Leigh Anne set up the timer:)

Friday we pretended it was Christmas Eve.  While Nick was at work, the rest of us baked cookies and more cookies!  Lots of our family favorites including, but not limited to, Chocolate Crinkles, Raspberry Jewels and Pecan Crispies.  We all went home with some:)  We also helped Janet with the Christmas decorating and got the tree set up.  There was even some last minute shopping during the day for stocking stuffers.

Sarah

Saturday morning it was Christmas:)  We had all decided we were just doing stocking stuffers this year and it was great fun!  Everyone's stocking was filled so we must have all been "good".

Leigh Anne's stocking is full!

Janet and I both got "live" wreaths for our doors!

After a great breakfast, we did some packing, etc. since we were all headed to our various homes after lunch.  Janet got busy in the kitchen and packed a picnic.  We all headed to the park in downtown Huntsville for one last adventure.

Another meal!!

Sarah, Nick, Janet

Leigh Anne and Doug

 It was a great weekend.  I have the best children!!!!

Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012.

Sarah's Visit!

Sarah arrived in Nashville the Saturday night before Thanksgiving.  Janet and I picked her up and the fun began:)  Cousin Jamie drove down from Kentucky on Sunday in time for lunch and a day of shopping.  They wore me out!!!!  Janet headed back to Huntsville Sunday night- she had to work on Monday and prepare for a houseful of company.  The rest of us headed to Franklin for dinner.

Monday morning Jamie, Sarah and I went to the Loveless Cafe by way of the Natchez Trace.  Had to make sure Sarah hit all the high spots and had some good Southern cooking!!!  Next up was Bass Pro Shop and the Gaylord Opryland Hotel to see all the Christmas lights.  Sarah scored at Bass Pro Shop and my Christmas shopping for her was done:)   Jamie has been to the Opryland Hotel several times and was an excellent tour guide.  Auntie P did show her where to park and save her $16:)

Sarah, Jamie and I at the hotel.

Late in the afternoon we headed to downtown Nashville and the Orchid Lounge for a brew and some live music.  One final meal and Jamie had to head back to Kentucky.  Sarah and I had tickets to see the Charlie Daniels Band at the Ryman Auditorium.   This was a charity performance he does every year and was great fun.  Full day!!!

While Sarah and I were doing some shopping Tuesday morning, we got a call from her aunt and uncle to ask if we could meet them for lunch when they drove through Nashville.  Of course!!  Sarah hadn't seen them for about five years so it was a real treat.  We also got to meet Barbara's sister and her husband.  After lunch, they all headed back to Kentucky.  Sarah and I headed back downtown to the Country Music Hall of Fame and a walk along Broadway.

Barbara, Peggy, Sarah, David

Jack Daniels Distillery was a "must see" for Sarah so we did that tour on Wednesday on the way to Huntsville.  It is always a fun tour and Lynchburg has some cute little shops.  Left my camera in the car so no picks that day.

Wednesday night we met the rest of the family for the holiday weekend.