This year was it. We did it. Went away for Christmas. Something my parents have always wanted to do. We planned early in the year and planned with some trepidation as you never know what a year can hold… And I have always been home for Christmas. Wasn’t sure how I’d like being away. I do tend to be a more adventurous spirit so it sounded fun to go somewhere new. Part of our family from out of state came to join us, including the grand babies, which always makes Christmas fun!
We went to Blue Ridge, Ga. Rented a cabin in the woods close to town. We got to spend 5 nights just being together….cooking, (we never ate out once) reading, playing games, napping and just talking around the fire or table! Such quality time!
We all choose a day to be responsible for food prep. We brought all our goodies, so we didn’t have to do much baking. Tim and I had Christmas Eve dinner and Mom and Dad choose to do Christmas Day with their infamous standing rib roast dad cooks so well.
Because we were going away for Christmas, we decided ahead of time not to take many presents. We felt like being able to go there was really our present. lol! So instead of buying expensive gifts, we did small ones and Tim and I had a gag gift for each family member besides. It took time and thought, but it was so fun and much laughter went around with our ripping of packages!
Watch out!! Here comes the Grammy part! Aria turned 5 on the first day we were there. Ava is 2 1/2. Perfect Christmas ages! Of course they were both great entertainment and put on shows for us each night. They are very talented little performers, remembering words and tunes of songs from Christmas carols to the Sound of Music! Although they didn’t understand all the gag gifts that were distributed, they are learning that being part of this family means lots of pranking, singing and laughter. It took Aria a little while to “get” her box of Brown – E’s she got! But after she realized she could prank all of her friends back home with the box, she loved it! Of course, this Grammy thinks her grand girls as the smartest, sweetest, cutest of all and spending this quality time with them really made my Christmas tops!
We did take a day trip to Dahlonega, which is one of the top 10 Christmas towns to visit per Discovery. It was about an hour away. We probably choose the wrong day to go on Christmas Eve, which is probably their busiest day of the year. It was gorgeous, but so very crowded. Gotta go back again one early December. We did visit an apple barn and were able to do some downtown Blue Ridge shopping with the girls as well.
Overall, the trip turned out awesome! I thank God for the opportunity to bless my parents with this desire. I am grateful for the most precious gift of all, the gift of Jesus in our lives, making all these good things possible! Family time is just so precious and cannot ever be replaced in our hearts. Memories live forever. I have to say that this has become my favorite-est Christmas so far!
Array of Sonshine 