Christmas in Tennessee

Steve and I left Ormond Beach around 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve to spend the night at Allison and Brian's house in Lawrenceville, GA.  We were both so tired when we left and it was a long 7 hour drive.  The fog didn't help with our sleepiness, but it was very festive . . . then one foggy Christmas eve,  Santa came to say . . . 

It was strange being at Allison & Brian's without them or Toby there.  We didn't arrive until 1:30 a.m. so we slept in on Christmas morning.  We left around 11:30 a.m. for Tennessee.

It's funny how much more I appreciate Tennessee's beauty since being in L.A. for almost a year.  

Our first stop was at Kathy and Rick's house in Franklin.  They had all of their family over and it was so good to see them.  We also enjoyed some delicious left overs!

Meeting great-nephew Elliot for the first time!

Allen & Gillian, Matt & Amy, Jennifer & Matt

Rick fixing some dishwasher problems

                                                  Merry Christmas Peabody family!

Our next stop was 2 hours away in Jackson where my brother Karl and his wife, Martha live.  My niece, Ashley and her husband, Ryan were also there.  We got to meet their new baby, Henry!

They, too, offered to share their Christmas leftovers, but it had only been 2 hours since we had eaten, though Steve did have a piece of delicious Coconut cake!

                                                            Merry Christmas Warren Family!

By the time we arrived at Norma and Vann's house in Troy, Brian, Brittany and Sam had gone home, Mark had left for Alabama and David was with his fiancé, Laurie.  We visited for a few hours (and Steve may have eaten some pound cake) before we left for our hotel with plans to return bright and early the next morning.  With their son's wedding in just 4 days away we were there to assist in any way.

Merry Christmas Kissell Family!

This Christmas was wonderful!  I can't remember the last time we spent Christmas in Tennessee.  Even though we missed being with Allison, Brian, John, Tiffany, Silas, Scott, Shelby, Natalie and Dan, - it was great being with my siblings.  

Steve went to Memphis two days after Christmas to spend time with some of his siblings.  He had a great time catching up with Rebecca and her family, David, and Mark.   Wished I could've gone along to visit too!