The view from out front door was breathtaking. I love how perfectly clean everything seems after a good snow.
I am always reminded of God's assurance that He will take the "scarlet" of my sinful, disobedient self and make me as white as snow. Pure. How cool is that?
What is not so cool? When your pretty little tree in the front yard is so heavy-laden with snow that it decides to take a nap across your driveway. This is especially problematic when the car you are supposed to drive to Tennessee is on the other side of that tree.
A few hours later, with the unsolicited help of several of our kind neighbors, Curtis had de-snowed the tree and had it high enough off the ground that we could be on our way. Phew!
We didn't dare pack up and go without documenting exactly how much snow we were leaving behind.
Nine inches, thank you very much. We'll be lucky to get 9 inches TOTAL next winter, I bet!
It would have been really disheartening that we were driving away from the most impressive winter wonderland that we've seen in 10 years IF it wasn't for our destination! We were all so excited to be going to Knoxville to spend time with our Chesney family.
It wasn't a well-documented trip on my behalf and I don't think I got even one picture from our Christmas celebration, but I did grab some snapshots of a few random highlights:
Upon arrival...
This beautiful face was one of the first we saw... "Aunt" Susan. When people ask me how Susan fits into Curtis' family, I usually say something like, "Well, she's actually his cousin, but she feels a whole lot more like a sister." Her presence in our family has really blessed me.
Then there's Scott, Susan's other half. He is great blend of goofy (note the face in this picture), thoughtful, and wise, so we obviously love spending time with him as well.
Fun at the dinner table...
In an effort to get all of the kids to eat their dinner one night, Scott created a kind of game-show where they answered "what's your favorite" kind of questions... favorite vegetable, favorite Disney movie, etc. If you check out the windows in the background, you can see that the kids weren't the only ones who were fully entertained!
Each question was met with hands flying up, hilarious answers, lots of giggles, and then Scott saying, "Great answer! Now, take a bite!" My favorite was the way the younger kids would simply repeat the older kids answers and then- as the parents chuckled- just fall over laughing at how funny they were.
Impromptu Congo Line...
Though Cooper and Annabelle did not stay up long enough to participate, there was loads of fun and entertainment after dinner as well.
Sometimes you just can't help what the music does to you! :)
The quintessential kid photo shoot...
Aren't they just precious?
From left to right: Annabelle (10mos), Katy Ann (7 1/2), Ava (4 1/2), Cooper (3), Austin (5), and Millie (almost 3). In case you are wondering, Katy Ann and Austin belong to Scott & Susan. Ava and Millie belong to Luke (Curtis' brother) & Elisa.
When we realized for the millionth time how futile it was to attempt a "pretty" picture, we decided just to go for a silly one. While all the kids were pretty funny, I would just encourage you to focus on Millie (farthest right) in these next few.
Is that the lead singer of Kiss?
... who is possibly throwing gang signs??
Kelly and Annabelle.,.
We even got a little time with Marion's boyfriend, Kelly! He was sweet to hang out with my baby for a few minutes.
She loved it and was so content in his lap. So precious.
Visit with Ninny...
On our way out of town, we stopped by to see Curtis' grandmother, "Ninny". She loved seeing the kids and- as always- telling old stories about Curtis.
What I want to know is- who is that fat kid in her lap?!?
It was a joyous trip to Knoxville with sweet memories. We left, as we often do, feeling really full.
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