Christmas in Durham

Mom & me at the Carolina Inn - part of their 12 days of Christmas exhibit - we are in front of "Two Turtle Doves"

This was an amazing sand castle sculpture at the Inn - the detail was amazing!

We enjoyed our 3rd Christmas in Durham - this year was fun because my mom came to visit us on Christmas Day! Doug was on backup much of the week, but thankfully didn't get called in. He did work the two days after Christmas, so it was nice to have company.

On Christmas, we opened presents and enjoyed the beautiful weather with wine and cheese on the patio. Mom left below freezing weather, so she soaked up the North Carolina sunshine. Later, we made and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner.

On Friday, Doug worked a 12 hour shift, so mom and I hit the after Christmas sales and saw Marley & Me. One of those great days where we were gone all day and did a ton of stuff - but I have no idea why we were gone for 7 hours.

On Saturday, we all went to the Carolina Inn to check out their holiday decorations & eat a great lunch at their beautiful restaurant. The afternoon was filled with playing our Wii and Wii Fit. Doug went to work a night shift and Mom & I went to see the Nutcracker in Raleigh.

Sunday included Church, a bit more shopping and movie watching, taking Willie on a walk, a nice afternoon on the patio with a great fire in the fire pit and a great dinner at a local restaurant. Such a wonderful, relaxing way to spend Christmas! It's always hard to see mom leave, but we're already looking forward to seeing her in New Orleans in February!

The perfect way to sum up our Christmas! Three of my favorite people, napping on one couch!

Happy Holidays

To get this Christmas Card picture:
(P.S. Can you tell we put treats by the camera to make him look in the right direction? That also explains the pathetic face - please let me have the treat!)

We had to go through all of these rejects:

Dogs make EVERYTHING more interesting! Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday!

Beautiful Biltmore

We packed up the truck (including the dog) to head to the mountains this past weekend. We stayed in Asheville- two summers ago, we had met our friends Brigette & Jaime up there and had such a great time. We got into town around 9:00, checked in and walked to find some dinner. It was a little chilly up in the mountains, so we didn't go too far.

Saturday, we had tickets to tour the Biltmore. For those not from NC, the Biltmore is the largest private residence in America - built by George Vanderbilt. It is now open to the public for tours. 250 Rooms, 175,000 square feet, this house covers 4 acres. The daytime tour was really interesting, as was the garden & winery tour.

That evening we had dinner at the Inn at Biltmore (AMAZING!) and returned to the house for a Christmas Candlelight Tour. The holidays are the busiest time at the Biltmore, and you can definitely see why. Beautiful Christmas decorations, all lit up at night - was really amazing to see.

On Sunday, we walked around Asheville's fun downtown area for a few hours before heading home. Such a fun town and great weekend getaway...

Biltmore house overlook

Garden Greenhouse - I thought it was so beautiful. And you couldn't take photos in the real house. I settled for the green house.

Garden Building

View from the house

Willie loves vacation!

Biltmore House at night

Beautiful tree Christmas Tree on the lawn

Our official Biltmore photo

Ba Hum Dog

Someone doesn't like his new Santa Hat...

Holiday Weekend

Last weekend, Doug & I kicked off the holiday season with a great start. Friday, we had tickets with friends to go to see A Christmas Carol at the new Durham Performing Arts Center. This was the opening week for this amazing new facility - and is such a great thing for the city.

On Saturday, we got our Christmas Tree and started decorating the house. That evening we attended the Holiday Party at my new job. Great evening at local restaurant Spice Street. It was such a nice event and a great way for Doug to meet some of the people that I work with.

Looking forward to other fun stuff this holiday season - next weekend in the mountains and my mom visiting for Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Our tree with fake presents underneath. :)

At the Holiday Party

Beware of the Doghouse

A really clever 4 minute webisode reminding guys to reconsider their holiday gift choices. Really great viral campaign (surprisingly) from JC Penney. Reminds me of a rule that I adopted from a friend and instated with Doug - "Don't ever buy me anything that plugs in." Just a good rule of thumb for the guys out there.

Gala

Me with three other girls from work.

A few weeks ago, the agency where I work for invited me to a gala for one of our clients. It was a very nice evening - great food, great program. I was very excited to be part of such a great fundraiser.

The program were the speakers Bob & Lee Woodruff. Bob is a journalist who was injured while covering the war in Iraq. Here is the LINK to the story about the event and more about Bob & Lee's story and their charity.

Holiday Favorites?

So, as I was video chatting with my BFF April last night, we got to talking about our favorite Christmas songs. And tonight, I am thinking about ALL my holiday favorites and thought I would start a little poll. So what do you say fellow blogger friends? What are your favorites? - Mine are below. Any other catagories to add? Repost or if you don't have a blog, just leave them in the comments. Such a fun time of year...

Favorite "Church" Holiday Song:
O Come All Ye Faithful

Favorite "Other" Holiday Song:

Santa Baby

Favorite Holiday Movie:

White Christmas & Smoky Mountain Christmas (tie)

I know, it's so embarrassing but I LOVE Dolly Parton.

Favorite Holiday Tradition:

Making Christmas Candy with my family

Yes, I took this picture

If you have ever driven to the Lake of the Ozarks through Cole Camp, you have seen this sign.  And you know you wanted to take a picture, too.  You have to admit, it's pretty funny.  I laugh every time.  Aaron & I wanted to get out & get our picture by the sign.  But it was snowing.

Giving Thanks

Aaron, Taylor (hiding behind her hair), my mom and me at Evie's Birthday Party

Mom and Taylor

Kayla & Taylor - stirring the gravy.  Our family tradition is that everyone has to stir the gravy.

Aunt Evie & Grandpa John

Mom & Kari

Turkey time - Uncle Bill and Aaron

Our (small) snowman

California Girl Taylor playing in the Missouri Snow.

Yes, gas was $1.43.  I had to take a picture.
Taylor cheering in her new Tiger cheer outfit from Uncle Doug.  I think she might have needed to cheer a little more....

Taylor & her dad making breakfast

I was truly thankful to be in Kansas City with my family for Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, Doug had to work, so it wasn't quite perfect - but it was great to see so many friends and family - especially my mom, brother & niece.  

Besides the holiday, we spent time at the lake house cleaning, visiting a few friends and attending my great Aunt's 90th birthday party.  A little winter mix gave us enough snow to make a snowman and delay our trip home.  We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by friends or family.  After a tough readjustment year for our family, it was truly a blessing for us to be together.