Happy Birthday Grandpa

Sunday, December 27, Grandpa celebrated his birthday.  We celebrated while we were at his house over Christmas.  I hope you had a great birthday!

Merry Christmas (a few days late!)

A quick recap of Christmas 2009:
Matt and I started our journey on the 23rd.  We dropped Wally off at the pet resort (which he loves) and then headed Grandpa Bill and Nanny's house in Verona, Kentucky which is about 25 miles outside of Cincinnati.  It took forever to get there.  :-)  Once we got there, we visited some before heading to bed.  Then on the 24th, we got to enjoy our time visiting, eating a delicious lunch, and of course opening some gifts. 

Nanny makes such awesome sugar cookies in all kinds of shapes.  Too bad I didn't take a picture.  Anyways, my sister and I always look forward to them and since she wasn't coming to see them until the 26th, that meant I got to them first.  We would always argue over who got to eat certain shapes.  Oh, sisters!  :-)  Don't worry, I saved plenty for her!  Thanks for everything Grandpa and Nanny!

After lunch, we headed on to Berea, Kentucky where my other grandparents live.  We joined up with the clan...my aunt, uncles, cousin, parents, sister.  This year was a little different because Grandma fell and broke her hip back in middle November.  She's still recovering with therapy which meant no cooking for her.  Grandma is the such a good cook and she works so hard every Christmas feeding all of us.  I don't think she ever stops working the whole time we are there.  So, this year, we chipped in, and largely due to my mom and aunt, everything turned out perfect!  We didn't do gifts for the entire family this year but instead did stockings.  Well, we changed up the stockings and did gift bags. 

Santa filled up everyones gifts bags with tons and tons of goodies.  The Christmas traditions included all the men playing Rook, the women cooking, playing games, and watching some football. 

My uncle is a University of Tennessee fan.  I try not to hold it against him that he could root for such a team.   So, there may have been some talk of the Chick-Fil-A bowl and all I have to say is H-O-K-I-E-S!  Despite, having to spend any time talking about UT, the visit was very nice.  I enjoyed visiting with everyone.  Mom, Dad, Merdith, Matt, and I did our family present exchange while we were there.

Thank you Mom, Dad, Meredith, and Matt!  You all got me so many wonderful gifts.  I love all of them! 

Matt and I got back on the road early early early on the 26th to come back to Richmond so we could do Christmas with the Wheawill family.  We were greeted by Wally when we got home.  Matt's family went and picked him up for us and I was definitely so happy to see him.  3 days is long enough to be away from him!  Wally was happy to see us but was exhasted from running around and playing with all the other dogs. 

Matt also missed him!

So, we took quick showers and baths (Wally included) so that we could head on over to Mom and Pops Wheawill.  Matt's sister, Courtney, greeted us wearing a UT sweatshirt.  As with my uncle, I try not to hold it against her that she went to grad school at UT. 

We got to do all the traditional stockings, snacks (yummy!), gift exchange, and a very nice Christmas dinner.

Then we followed it up with a delicous meal.  Thank you Dick, Debbie, and Courtney for everything.

Wally was not left out and he really loves all his presents!

My only complaint is that all our visits were too short.  I really enjoyed myself and am truly grateful for a wonderful family.

After heading to church and to lunch with the family, Matt and I tried to work on laundry and putting things away.  We took time out to play with our new Christmas toys and presents though!  We'll have a fast busy week at work so that way we can play again next weekend with friends.  Hope everyone else had a nice Christmas! 

Snow, Anyone?

Wally loved it!

I'm late in updating but last weekend, we got about a foot of snow.  Of course, I had to work which didn't make it nearly as much fun.  My parents got more snow in the mountains and ended up without electricity for a few days and without water for a week.  I'm glad that they now have it all back.  My thoughts are with those in Grundy as some of the area is still recovering and still does not have electricity. 

2009 Home Christmas Tour

Welcome to the Wheawill home!

Don't stay outside in the cold. 

Come on in and make yourself at home!

Wally likes a good scratch on the head.  If he's too bothersome, just throw him his Santa toy and he will be on his best behavior in order to make the "nice" list.


On your left, you will see the dining room.

The reindeer is new this year.

My favorite things in this room are my pharmacy Christmas villages.  Yes, that's right, I only collect the pharmacies.  My parents started me out way back when I was in pharmacy school and my wonderful husband has kept going with them, getting me most of them for my birthday.  I look forward to these every year!

This one was my gift from this year.

Come on in to the kitchen. 

We hope you enjoy some cookies and apple cider while you are here. 

Anyways, back to the rest of our home. 

Come on in to the family room.















Notice, that Wally's sitting by the door.  I'll have to let him out in a minute.

I love our mantle.  We have our stockings hung.  My mom made Wally's stocking for his first Christmas.

 

I better go let Wally out.  He's still sitting by the door.

See ya later Wally!

I really don't have any decorations upstairs.  Just a tiny bit of Christmas, so not much to see.  Oh, it's almost 11.  It's getting me time to turn in so we can be ready for the work day tomorrow.  Thanks again for stopping by our home during the holidays!  You probably need to get to the other Christmas parties at Nester's 2009 Christmas tour, Home for the Holidays 2009, and Hooked on Houses tour.   We hope you have a Merry Christmas!