Christmas In The Mountains

The kids and I spent several days in the NC mountains with Dad & Ann before Christmas. We had a very nice & relaxing time... it rained every day, but since it was warm, we were able to get out in between rain storms. We celebrated Christmas together the first morning we were there...

Dad & Ann's gift (from Aunt Shelly & family, too)...

They have the perfect porch for a chiminea, with an awesome mountain view...

Dad made birdhouses with the girls. Jessica made a bluebird house and Jaycie made a wren house. They had so much fun. Dad also had his new golf cart delivered... the new one is RED (we've got to get him a WOFLPACK sticker...) Jacob loved watching them unload the new one, then load up the old one... then everyone jumped in for the first of many rides... I think Dad wore out his old cart giving rides to the grandkids more so than playing golf ;)

Ann & I took the kids down to Bryson City to wave off the Polar Express. We have ridden it twice and will hopefully ride again next year. Jacob loves the train station & store... Jamie was terrified when the train blew the whistle. Then we hopped in the car, following the river... passed the train... and met it in the North Pole (a.k.a. Whittier, NC) where the Polar Express picks up Santa.

At the train station...

Santa & The Polar Express in the North Pole

We were also able to take the kids to Great Smoky Mtn Visitor Center (where Ann volunteers every week)... they had special events for the kids that day. They got to make their own candles out of beeswax, chase the chickens, do a short walk by the river, play with old fashioned toys, then we warmed up inside listening to the band...

Candle Making...

Best of Friends... Jessica & Memommy

We have decided that Jessica & Memommy must have been twins in past lives... they are so similar in their love for nature, animals, doing crafts, taking nature walks... they love spending time together and are the best of friends :)