Countdown is ON!

It has been a LONG time since I've blogged last.  Our family has been busy with Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas.  Holidays are so much fun.  I love my family and holidays for us revolve around the ones we love. 

Thanksgiving consisted of a day trip to Pilot Mountain.  Greg, Taylor and I loaded up in the car bright and early that Thursday morning for a Thanksgiving meal at Mama and Daddy's.  My brother, Donnie, his wife, Dana and my niece, Morgan along with Aunt Ruby joined us for our visit.  Mama impressed all of the guests with a HUGE feast of all the traditional holiday foods....turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans, corn (her speciality), cranberry relish and my favorite...my Great Grandma Stone's turkey dressing.  After a eating all this yummy food, dessert was served.  Needless to say, Mama had plenty of dessert choices.  There were pies and cakes!  Greg's favorite was her chocolate cake.  Chocolate cake is not a traditional dessert for Thanksgiving but Mama knows how much he loves it so she makes it every time he visits.

After our meal and an afternoon of visiting and watching football games, Greg, Taylor and I went back to our home in Wake Forest.  Gregory and Danielle came for supper.  Danielle's family lives in Rocky Mount and they visit her family for lunch and then make their way to Wake Forest for a meal with us.  Normally, we have the WHOLE family over at our house (Greg's brother and ALL his family, Mama Lottie and our family).  This year was much different.  Sarah, Ryan, Tiffany and Clint couldn't be with us (tear, sniffle).  So, Greg, Taylor, Gregory, Danielle, and I had a nice, simple meal of Greg's homemade soup and a loaded, garden salad.  It hit the spot.  We all had feasted on a HUGE meal for lunch so soup and salad was a great option for us.  By the way, I made a chocolate cake too.  (Gregory loves chocolate cake too).

Gregory and Danielle stayed for the rest of the evening.  We watched Medea's Christmas DVD for our entertainment.  Then we rested  only enough to prepare for the Black Friday event. This is Greg's BIGGEST day at the mall.  Danielle goes with her friend shopping each Black Friday  and Taylor and I also go.  This year, many stores opened at midnight and yes, we were out shopping at that time.  Taylor's friend, Madison went with us.  The girl had never been Black Friday shopping before! 

Now, Christmastime is upon us and I welcome it with opened arms.  Sarah, Ryan, Tiffany and Clint are coming home!!!!  Their arrival is less than a week away.  I cannot begin to put in words the happiness and excitement I feel to have them home for the holidays.  It will be the first time all the family has ever been together.  I have made arrangements to have our family picture made for posterity.  This will be the best Christmas ever ( next year, Baby Blake will be here),

To prepare for the family's stay, I have made a list and check it twice (~excuse the pun) at least everyday of things to do.  Getting the house ready is a BIG deal.  At some point during the holidays, we will have all 9 of us under the same roof spending the night.  Decluttering and cleaning are top on the priority list to make sure everyone's stay is comfortable and enjoyable.  I have also made a list of foods to have for all meals and desserts (yep, I'll be making a chocolate cake...it's Ryan's favorite too).

I have 3 more days left teaching this week, then my holiday vacation officially begins.  We have already decorated the house, Greg and Dale (our dear family friend) powerwashed the house yesterday.  I made an appointment to have the carpets cleaned and the rest is in my notebook to mark off as I get things done.  Yes, it's a lot of work, but I would not change a thing.  Having family together is the best gift I could possibly ask for.

I have so much more in my heart to share but it'll have to wait till my next post.  I've got to check my "to do" list and get 'er done.  Until next time, Merry Christmas!