A North Carolina Christmas... Day 4 of 4

We had a white Christmas!  It started snowing in Winston-Salem around lunchtime on Saturday.  We were in Charlotte, where it wasn't snowing, but came home to lots of white.  It snowed the rest of the day/night so we did not go to the Branch Ranch as planned (Andrea and Caleb made it though).  Sunday church services were cancelled due to the weather so we went outside and played.  Phillip and I built a snowman for the first time.  Andrea, Caleb, Ashling and Cade came over later in the morning and the the kids enjoyed playing in the snow together while Caleb shoveled the walkway and driveway.  A snowball fight broke out between an unlikely pair... Phillip and Ashling.  It was a lot of fun!

Granddaddy getting Ellen zipped up

Nana's gift came in handy

The making of a snowman

The trees were beautiful

Change of Plans/Itinerary

We're here!  We ended up not leaving last night but I think it worked out for the best.  We had a good trip and made great time.  Here are the rest of our plans:
  
Thursday:

• Visit with my Parents          
• Dinner at Caleb and Andrea's house
• Last minute shopping, maybe

Friday: 

• Open presents at my parents house with Phillip, Ellen, Andrea, Caleb, Ashling, Cade, Mom and Dad
• Go to my Grandma's house outside of Statesville to celebrate Christmas with all of the above and Grandma, Aunt Diane, Uncle David, Kelly, David, Crystal and Allie
• Catch up with some good friends

Saturday: 

• Drive to Charlotte to spend Christmas Day with Phillip's parents, Kendra, Laurie and David
• Christmas Party at the Branch Ranch

Sunday: 

• Church at South Fork
• Lunch
• Head back to Tennessee

Santa Claus is coming to town and so are we

We are heading out a day early.  Technically just about 12 hours earlier than planned but earlier none the less.  It means we will be driving well into the night but hopefully the traffic will be light and Ellen will sleep most of the trip.  40 East all the way baby!  I am trying to sike myself up for this trip, the being in the car part, but even using "baby" and an exclamation point isn't helping.  What I am excited about is being home with my family, watching the cousins play, seeing my Grandma (who has been very sick), opening presents, eating good food, going to church at South Fork, catching up with friends and relatives we wished lived closer, eating good meals, etc.  North Carolina here we come!

Related

Just a sampling of the people we are looking forward to seeing this weekend:

Uncle David, Allie and David (cousin)

 Kelly (cousin) and Caleb (brother in law)

 Nancy (Phillip's Mom)

The weekend before Christmas

We spent the weekend before Christmas celebrating around our own tree (for the second time) and it was lovely.  We are pretty much broke so we didn't do much running around.  Phillip didn't feel very good yesterday and is home from work today (he came in for a couple of hours and then left).  Besides that, we are doing well.  We are gearing up for our trip to North Carolina on Thursday.  The boarding arrangements for the dogs have been made, we have new tires on the car (thanks Mom and Dad), the presents are bought and wrapped, we all 3 got our hair cut on Friday, the house is not a total disaster and once a few more loads of laundry are done we will be ready to pack our suitcases... I am pleased with our progress.  Now we just have to make it through the next few days.  Eeek!

A little more than a trim

I snapped a few pictures of Ellen on our way to get her hair cut Friday afternoon.  Her hair was getting so long!

Our Christmas... part 2 of 2

We woke up to more snow... it was meant to be

Expert unwrapper

Tinker Bell purse and accessories

Thomas train track

Jewelry box

Playing with her Tinker Bell stuff

First Barbie

New game

New back pack

Ellen reading me one of her new books

Our mantle/stockings