Boone...Bliss

As always, Boone was amazing! We love spending time in Boone and had a blast being in the mountains for a few days. We enjoyed some of our favorites!!!

* Macado's * Daniel Boone Inn * Outlet Shopping * Snow *

* Mast General Store * Sledding *

We made a trip to Mystery Hill...the kids had fun and it was Jon's first time there! A special thanks to the Fullers for letting us use their home and enjoy one of our most favorite places on earth!

Loving (or for Emet, hating) the snow!

He did get better and actually enjoyed it by the time we left!

Snow Babies

What we woke up to each day...

South Carolina Christmas

We went to South Carolina on Christmas day to celebrate with Jon's family. We were there for only about 24 hours...but it was a packed 24 hours with fun, family and of course food! We enjoyed seeing family that we only see once a year and Ava and Emet had a blast playing with their cousins!

Kaleb, Ava and Kolson

Amy, Papa Simmons and Momma Simmons

Kolson, Kelsey and Ava
Kendra Grace

Loves the camera from Amy!

Allyson and Ava

Emet quickly found the pantry and seemingly made himself right at home. Here he is caught in the act. I guess he liked the cereal...he also ate some of the cookies that were on the bottom shelf!

Pat, Russell and Katie (and baby Eli in her belly!)

Nana and Papa

Austin and Joel in their lovely Christmas sweaters!

Robbie and Amy

Kolson and Ava

Emet, Jon and Papa Simmons

So Sweet!!!

Mama Chasteen lovin' on Emet!!!

Home to Hickory

We left on December 23rd to go home to Hickory for some time with Mom and Dad. Jon was excited to get the kids into the snow (which had fallen on the 18th and was still there). Jon and the kids went sledding in the back yard...fun times. We enjoyed playing Wii, eating good food, making cookies, building with blocks and playing cards while we were home. We of course too, loved giving Granna and Pops their gifts. Thank you to them for the sweet gifts to us. Thank you too for watching the kids so Jon and I could enjoy an anniversary dinner. I was able too, to catch up with Leigh Ann, Kellie and their boys while we were home. These are two precious ladies, with beautiful boys and I love them all dearly. It was good to be home for a few days!

Jon and the kids in the snow

Sweet Picture of Mom and the kids

Opening Presents
Loving her microphone!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning

Before heading out to dinner at the Olive Garden for our 6 year anniversary!

Dad spent time with Ava building with the bricks. Dad had these as a kid, played them with me as a kid and now is enjoying sharing them with Ava. Thanks Mom for working so hard to clean and sanitize them!

Dad and Ava had a blast!

Making Cookies

When Kellie, Leigh Ann and I (plus 5 kids) get together it is always a photo op...or we at least attempt. This time was no different. We did get a couple of good shots, but the majority of our pictures capture "true moments" of what it is like when we try to get a decent picture. Most of you moms will understand...

Not too bad...

Classic...

Sweet

Got one...Walker was distracted by the car on the couch.

Love these ladies...Kellie and Leigh Ann are my best friends from college and I love them dearly. They are amazing women and great moms to their little boys.

I'm blessed to them in my life!

Christmas at Nana and Papa's

We left home to go to Nana and Papa's house to exchange gifts with Jeremy, Liz and their kids. Amy came home too...we enjoyed a great lunch and had fun exchanging gifts!

Me, Amy and Liz

Jeremy and Carson

Jeremy and Jon
Emet with his Daddy

Ava and Nana

Lydia using her gift...she is a paci lovin' girl!

Love this book!!! Thank you Jeremy and Liz!!!

We will read this with our kids for years to come!!!

(The title is Fool Moon Rising...check it out!)
Bryn in her skirt...isn't she adorable!

Christmas at Home

We celebrated Christmas together, the four of us, before heading out of town to celebrate with all of our family. We did it a little early, but just as if it would have been Christmas morning. The kids went to bed the night before in matching pjs and we woke up to Jon cooking a great breakfast, reading the Christmas story, putting baby Jesus in the manger and exchanging gifts. What fun it was to see the smiles on the kids' faces as they opened their gifts. The guitar has by far been the biggest hit around our house...Emet wants to play with it as much as Ava!

Our babies getting ready to go to bed

Cooking Breakfast

Eating Breakfast

Ava had been anticipating putting baby Jesus in the manger for quite some time!

The big dump truck!

Ava's gift to Daddy...an ice scraper for his car. He needed one. I think ours from college have broken handles, and well, our cars are outside!

Emet's Gifts

Ava's Gifts

Gotta love this!

Me with the kids

Emet lovin' on his Daddy!