Christmas in the Smoky Mountains

This year we spent Christmas in Gatlinburg, TN... The girl's really enjoyed playing with their cousins the most. I hardly saw them the whole week (But I was happy they were enjoying themselves) Here is Sebastian one of my sister's children .

Grace, Emma (Neal's brothers two daughters) and Leah

Grace, Leah and Seth

Mimi and Sydney

We didn't get enough snow for skiing this year so we drove to the top of the mountain for some sledding.

Here are the cousins writing letters for Santa . . .

Here is the family gathering around for the White Elephant gift exchange on Christmas Eve.

When we opened our gift we had to say the first thing that came to our mind . . .

The girls opened one gift on Christmas Eve . . .

Here's a picture of my older sister Faith and her husband Daniel . . .

Katie was so happy when she opened her Tinkerbell Costume! She just had to try it on. . .

Emma and Grace modeling some of their new Christmas presents . . .

The kids waiting patiently for Christmas dinner to be ready . . .

We went to a couple of shows . . .The Black Bear Dinner/Show was my favorite!

Were Snowed In!!

O.K. so Neal and I couldn't stay in the house even though the weather was supposed to be bad today...We were shopping at the mall when all the stores started closing. When we went outside we could barely see anything! There were cars stuck out on the roads everywhere, and the hill leading up to our housing development was closed. We took the back way and luckily made it to our house without getting stuck, thanks to Neal's mad driving skills! So It looks like were snowed in for the next couple of days...were hoping Monday as well, since that's the only day we have to work before we leave on our Christmas trip! lol!

Snow Day

The holidays are so much fun, all the parties, decorations and food! Leah had a few parties this week. . .On Monday they had a Swedish Breakfast for the parents. They learned about Christmas in Sweden. Leah looked so cute in her costume!

Neal and I woke up around 5:30 a.m.(I know that's early for a Saturday morning, we must be getting old!) We went outside and we couldn't believe the amount of snow!! Neal shoveled the sidewalks and driveway...yes he's wearing shorts!!!

It's so beautiful!!!

After breakfast we took the kids outside and played. . .

Neal shoveled some more!! I can't wait to see all my family for Christmas!! Were counting the days...

Leah's Ballet Recital

It's been very cold here!! We had our first snow, so I thought I'd include a picture... We were so excited for Leah's first recital! It was hard to choose which pictures to post since I took so many!!

They performed a piece from the Nutcracker...

Here's Leah with her teacher Mrs. Jennifer (whose is expecting in January)

Leah did such a great job, we love you baby!!