Christmas 2012

We took a nice long two and a half week vacation to go visit family and friends in Virginia and North Carolina over Christmas and New Years.  It's tough living so far away from family and sort of surreal to be back in Virginia where we grew up now that Austin feels more and more like home.  Time with our family is extra special now that we see them so much less often.

We started in Asheville, NC on Christmas Eve at my uncle's house with my family.  Christmas Eve at their house is always beautiful with a massive tree, a gorgeous table, delicious food, flowing wine, gift exchanges, and carol singing.  Sweet times with sweet people! Here was our crowd:

We stayed with my grandparents and were so pleased with how great they are doing! Family gatherings with them are always such a blessing.  My mom brought supplies to make her famous aebleskivers - a traditional Danish pancake-like treat.  It's not Christmas without them!  One day I'll have a full post about how to make these beauties.  Until then, you'll just have to dream.

Before we left Asheville, Matt and I went to tour the Biltmore House which I've always wanted to do at Christmastime.  Every room open for the tour is decked out in spectacular decor similar to how it would have been decorated when George Vanderbilt opened it on Christmas Eve in 1895. The house and grounds are one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.  The only tragedy of this particular trip was that it rained all day so we weren't really able to get many pictures.  I'd love to go back in the spring when the tulips are blooming and take the Butler's Tour!  I highly recommend making a day of it if you're ever in the area.

After Asheville we drove over the mountains through snow and fog up to Roanoke, VA where we stayed with one my dear friends, Melissa.  We spent a day in Blacksburg touring Virginia Tech and reminiscing.  It was snowy and windy and freezing as it always was in Blacksburg in the winter!  We remembered why we love Austin.

Back on the road we went to visit Matt's family!  We got to spend a whole week with them and had loads of fun playing with our nephews and all of the Thompson pets.  We visited with old friends, went shopping, toured Christmas lights, ate lots of food, and just had good times of enjoying each other's company.

We ended the trip in northern Virginia visiting my parents and brother.  Somehow I have no cute pictures from this part of the trip.  We checked out the Air and Space Museum and saw The Hobbit, which we enjoyed greatly.  All in all - a memorable and blessed Christmas!

Happy New Year everybody!