It's been awhile!

As I sit here on hold with Seminoles.com where I am checking on an order that appears not to have shipped yet, even though the order was placed on 12/4...I meander over to my blog and see I have not posted an update in a month!

Sometimes I feel no one really reads this, but then I will get an email from my dad & Nicci referencing something they read, or my gram will say she enjoyed a picture she saw on the blog...so I try to keep at it, even though my tendencies are to use Facebook because it's quick to say a little something or post a photo.

We had a nice trip to Tennessee for Thanksgiving.  We left on Tuesday after the kids got out of school and drove to Asheville in a downpour, but got there in time to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Keith's favorite places for tapas style dining.  We also got a room at a favorite hotel of his that had hardwoods, a separate bedroom and living area with a fireplace!!  We woke to snow and made the remainder of the trip without any traffic backups.

While in Nashville, we visited the Opryland hotel to see the decorations.  They were beautiful and we took lots of pictures...one of which will be on our Christmas card this year.  With my mom cooking, it goes without saying that Thanksgiving dinner was delicious!  We watched the Macy's parade, as is tradition at my moms house, and this year, there was something super exciting- my high school band was performing in the parade!  The only band in the parade representing Florida.

The next day, we went to Sarah and Tom's house near Clarksville.  They had all of the Woolery side for Thanksgiving and then did a cookout Friday so that we could join them and get to see everyone.  They moved into this house in the fall and it is gorgeous sitting on almost 3 acres.  We had so much fun and laughed a whole lot.  We took lots of pictures, played soccer, lacrosse, football and then had a bonfire with s'mores, played games and laughed our heads off...

Saturday, we got a surprise visit from Riad's daughter and her family, who were traveling from DC to Arkansas so they stopped in for a couple of hours and had lunch and brought an ice cream cake in honor of Riad's birthday which was the following day.  We also watched parts of several football games, one of them being FSU's win over Florida.  The Auburn/Alabama finish was one of the best I have ever seen.

We went to church with mom & Riad Sunday morning and heard a good, yet loud, sermon (hell-fire and brimstone style preaching).  We took Riad out for lunch and started our journey home later that afternoon.

We again drove to Asheville, had the worst nights sleep ever , and made it home Monday around 2-ish.  In time to get laundry done, and be ready for the week.

By the way, I am still paying for that night in the hotel (contorted body).  Mom's guest bed was comfy, yet I had a sore lower back and headache each morning.  The long car rides probably didn't help, but then the final straw was that hotel bed.  I have been stretching like crazy and have since had a massage and an adjustment at the chiropractor.  I just saw him yesterday and I have never heard my back crack like it did.  It was wonderful!!  But, it's still not quite happy yet.  I woke with a headache again today, but after using an essential oil blend for headaches, it went away almost immediately.  So thankful.

Since returning, I have done some Christmas shopping, baking and plenty of enjoying the beautiful decorations that Kendall (the slave-driver) and her dad put up.  The house looks beautiful!!  I don't fully understand the "stress" people complain about with the holidays.  I am a laid-back personality and maybe thats why.  But, I like to keep it simple, avoid the big crowds, and don't commit to more than I can handle.

Things I am looking forward to are
1. The Heisman presentation tonight, which Jameis Winston will most certainly win
2. My last work day of the year on Tuesday, and my last patient will be Miss Kendall
3. Getting together at a coffee shop in downtown Apex next Friday afternoon to meet up with two of    Kendall's team-mates and their moms for the girls to exchange gifts. (I love downtown Apex at    Christmas and will probably go into the used bookstore that brings back memories of the BEST time    shopping with dad & Nicci for hours and hours and all the treasures we found there).
4. mom & Riad arriving Saturday and the 6 of us hunkering down for good times and family time    for a few days before my foursome heads to Florida on the 26th for soccer.
5. Doing some baking between now and Saturday so we have lots of treats to enjoy as we celebrate!

These are some of the pictures of Thanksgiving weekend.  I love the one of Riad with five of his grand kids as it is so unlikely that we would all be together at the same time.  The one of Kendall is in front of our tree this year and so represents her...so in love with Christmas and constantly in her santa hat.  She sleeps in it.

So...how's that for an update?!?  I will try not to be so infrequent.  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas season.