Christmas 2012

I guess there is no such thing as a normal Christmas. This year was definitely different. We missed Dean and Tut tremendous. Since I had a hurt foot, Steve and I did not do any mall shopping or much light viewing. We did have four wonderful days filled with family functions. We had a combined three breakfasts, three dinners and a lunch. 

We feel very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends this holiday season. 

Daddy and Kelly

Kelly and Lacey

Lacey, Kelly and Nanny Ruth

 Kelly and Barbara

Barbara and her babies, Coco & Lacy

Barbara and her three youngest babies

Steve, Coco & Lacy

Kelly & Nana

Buddy was reading the Christmas story this morning.

We pray everyone has a bless Christmas. I am wishing all my friends and family rest and relaxation and we head into 2013. May it be the greatest year yet, filled with good health, love, peace and joy!

Love,

Kelly &  Steve

December 2012

Christmas lights are always a Christmas tradition . Dahlonega has just beautiful lights in town in addition to the lights of local families. 

Daddy started the 5K behind Santa. He later passed Santa and was minutes ahead of him at the finish line. I wonder how that will impact his  gifts this Christmas?

Buddy love sugar!

Catfish loves to chill in front of the fireplace with her mommy. 

Buddy, the creepy naughty little elf. 

With my foot injury I had a difficult time decorating. This was our 2012 Christmas tree. We had minimal lights in the tree and used the remainder of the lights to make a tree skirt. 

The bears like to hang out in Frogtown.

Christmas fishing weekend

Steve and I spend both Saturday and Sunday on the water. It was great to spent time together surrounded by nature. We had a wonderful day. 

I had my first Appalachian slam today!

http://chestateeflyfishing.com

Merry Christmas 2012

Steve's Fishing Weekend

Steve participated in a fishing tournament this weekend. I am not sure he wants to talk about the outcome, although it could have been much worse. 

Fish and I spend some time curled up on the couch finishing Desperate House Wives and working on the blog. 

I visited "Camp Trout" for a bit Sunday afternoon. I had a nice laundry basket of stuff to keep my busy while hanging in my chair. I finally finished snipping my rag quilt and it is drying on the line. 

Steve doing recreating his favorite scene from Christmas Vacation...

Thinking about those I miss this Christmas...

As I try to sit around with my foot up, I have done lots of thinking this weekend. This will certainly be a different Christmas season. Steve and I have lost two dear souls this year, his father and my Tut. 

I know we have a host of heavenly angels watching over us...

Papa White

Dean

Papa Dixon

My Tut

Zeck

Dean & Edward

December 1, 2012

As I sit here with my foot up in front of the fireplace, I am reflecting on the past year. I seem to never find time to update the blog. I hurt my left foot over Thanksgiving. It must have been from running. I thought I had a stress fracture, but the MRI said I had basically an inflamed tendon. The Dr. used lots of big words, but basically the tendon that goes from my ankle to my pinkie toe is hurting. I have the honor of wearing a very fashionable knee high back boot for at least two weeks and trying to stay off my feet (that is the hard part). The good news I can be back running in a few weeks after the boot is gone.

I am trying to look at the bright side of the injury. It has given me some time to reflect on Christmas, family and friends. It may just be what I need to slow down for a bit.

Steve is fishing a big trout tournament this weekend. I plan to chill at the house and try to do little physical stuff, but instead update the blog, edit/delete pics and watch tv/movies. Such a rare thought for me. Luckily the weather will be amazing and I am planning some hammock time and reading as well.

November

November

It seems like November lacked photos until Thanksgiving. 

We started out the weekend before Thanksgiving at Cades Cove.

We had a nice Saturday evening bike ride around the loop. 

We saw lots of deer, turkey and bear. 

It was well after dark when we arrived back at the campsite. 

It was a cold cold morning. Thankfully Steve had made a huge latte. 

We tried to stay warm by the campfire. 

So I was tired of being cold. We came home on Sunday evening. Then on Monday morning I decided that I wanted to be warm, so we went to Tybee. 

We had only spend a few hours on Tybee before. 

We have a great time and the weather was wonderful. 

I think I see an annual beach trip in my future each Thanksgiving. 

The food was just as amazing. We had oysters both nights. 

On Tuesday night we also had peel and eat shrimp. 

I had long walks/runs on the beach both mornings. Little did I know that these walks would be the culminating factor in messing up my left foot. 

Beautiful cotton fields in south GA

Thanksgiving at the White House Barn is always wonderful and filling. 

Steve and I also attending the lighting of Macy's tree in ATL. Some reason I do not have pics for that. 

Savannah spent a day at spa getting groomed. What a princess. 

October

October

Us at the annual fly fishing Fall of the Deck dinner. 

We made our first and maybe only appearance at the Cumming Fair. It was interesting to say the least. 

Michelle, Marilyn and I did a fall sunrise hike to Preachers rock. 

It is such a cool experience. I hope to make that at least an annual hike. 

The sun is rising even more. 

Steve and I spend quite a bit of Jeep time in the woods. 

This is the waterfall that Steve once slide down while fishing. 

Steve always loves to work on his casting. 

Lacy had another sleep over with  us while her mommy went to the mountains. 

Early morning runs around the reservoir are the best. 

Alana, my college roommate and dear friend and her children stayed the night with us while they were in GA. 

The next day we went to the park and on a short hike. They are such cool kids. 

Steve and I hike Raven Cliff Falls. 

It was the first time either of us had been there. 

It was certainly a nice easy five miles. I hope to do that again soon. 

Steve bought a 4x4 SUV for all his fishing gear. Fishy was so ready to go for a ride in "her" new SUV. 

We got a box of oysters from Atlanta Highway Seafood Market. Yummmm!

The moon is simply incredible. 

Sunrise from Woody Gap. 

Daddy and I took the barn dogs, Barney and Red on an 8 mile hike on the AT. 

We started at Woody Gap and went to Gooch Gap. 

It was about 8 miles round trip. What a wonderful morning. 

Steve and I did our required stroll through Gold Rush. 

After Gold Rush I took Steve to the Finley Gold Mines. 

Edward would have been happy that I finally found them. 

As I was on a huge see the leaves change kick this fall, Steve hiked Blood Mountain with me one day after school. It was so beautiful. We also heard grouse and saw a bear. What a great, yet long evening. 

I felt accomplished when reaching the top after a day of teaching and a long hike. 

I was a shutter bug on the trail that day. 

Can you even begin to imagine what a wonderful place to call home. 

Later in the week Daddy and I hike up Mt. Yonah after school. 

It was an amazing hike. 

I must say that was a long week, yet I felt like I had accomplished more in that week and most people do in years. It was amazing. 

Raven Cliff Falls

Finely Gold Mine