We just got back from a very eventful weekend in Kingston, Tennessee visiting our grandparents and other family members. Before I get to all of that though, I'm going to start this post with just a few pictures from the past couple of weeks. I've been meaning to add these to the blog for a while now and as you can see, I'm just now getting around to doing it.
Here we are picking out our Christmas tree at the lot. We found the perfect one!
Caleb enjoyed running in, through and around all the trees
Each Christmas, Kathryn and Caleb get an ornament. This year, when I saw that Hallmark had Superhero ornaments, I decided that Caleb just HAD to have the Superman one. He was thrilled to get it and I must say that it hasn't been on our tree hardly at all because he just wants to play with it all the time!
Kathryn is really into Mickey and Minnie Mouse right now, so I couldn't find a more fitting ornament for her!
Ok, so on to our Kingston trip:
We started out leaving on Friday afternoon. Russ had taken the day off of work, so it was nice to have him around to help get everything all packed up. Most of you know that we were expecting some snow that night in Charlotte and on into Saturday. After checking the weather for the drive to Kingston, we decided that we might as well try to leave as early as possible. It wasn't supposed to start snowing until later in the afternoon, so after much debate, we figured that if we left around noon, we would be ahead of the snow that was expected. We quickly packed up and headed out the door around 1:00 in the afternoon. Nothing was happening in Charlotte yet, so we hoped we were ahead of it all. We had no idea what was ahead of us! After we had been driving about an hour and we were in Shelby, NC, the snow started falling. It got heavier and heavier. We knew that up ahead in Asheville, it was supposed to get even worse. The roads started piling up with snow and it got more treacherous to drive on. About 3 hours into the drive, both Russ and I were really scared. The roads were really bad and cars were sliding around all over the place. We really started to pray hard at this point because we didn't know whether we should turn around and head back, or just keep going. It got really bad when the cars all around us were driving wherever they wanted to in the road. People were spinning out all over the place, especially the big trucks. We decided that we should think about turning around when we got the opportunity, or else we were probably going to end up spending the night in the car. It really was that bad! We made the final decision to turn around when a huge snow plow truck came around us on the shoulder of the highway and right beside us, he spun out in the ice and into the wall beside us. We were really scared then. I mean, if the snow plow gets stuck, then we have no hope! We were thanking the Lord when we drove a little farther past all the stuck cars and trucks to an exit that was a little down hill. We were very blessed to have no problems getting turned around on the exit to head back. We thought we were about in the clear. Nope. Right after we turned around, all the cars in front of us came to a stop - for 2 hours! Apparently, 3 eighteen wheeler trucks were trying to get up a hill and all 3 of them got stuck, blocking both lanes of traffic. After sitting for 2 hours with the snow continuing to pile up on the roads and waiting for more snow plows to come, they finally plowed a small section on the shoulder of the highway for the cars to pass the trucks.
Here is Caleb being very good and patient. Bless his heart he was so thirsty, that he kept sticking his hand out the window for the snow!
Kathryn slept through the entire 2 hour stand still. She had no idea what was going on :)
This Hummer stretch limo sat beside us the whole time. We don't know who was in it, but they were sure riding in style. We wanted to get out and join the party. They had these really cool lights that came out from beneath to light up the snow. We never could figure out where they were headed!
After we got through all the mess, we decided that we were closest to Greenville at that point, so we would just spend the night with my parents. We were in the car for 6 1/2 hours total that night and ended up in Greenville! We were so thankful that Caleb and Kathryn were so good in the car and that the Lord protected us. There were surely angels surrounding our car that night.
We were so proud that Caleb and Kathryn were so good and patient in the car, that we let them open a present when they got to Mimi and Grampy's house. Kathryn loved her new My Little Pony and Caleb was thrilled to get a new Superman monster truck!
Mimi and Grampy were so excited that we came to see them so unexpectedly that night!
Here are Caleb and Kathryn the next morning while Russ and I packed up to try the trip again. I have to remind myself sometimes that they really do love each other :)
We left again for Kingston around 11 on Saturday morning. Thankfully the weather had cleared up some and we felt that the roads would be much easier to travel. It was a long drive, but pretty uneventful. We were glad about that though! We were amazed to see all the cars and trucks stuck on the side of the road from the night before. I mean, they were everywhere. At one point, I counted 30 cars on the side of the road within less then 1/8 of a mile. Thank you Lord that wasn't us!
When we finally arrived in Kingston we went straight to Russ' Grandma Rose's house. All of his family was there including his brother Brad and Anna and their kids from Texas. We enjoyed a delicious dinner with all of them and a fun time for the kids opening presents. They are always so spoiled with gifts from all the Aunts and Uncles :)
Kathryn was excited about getting a new doll along with lots of other things!
Here is sweet Flynn
Caleb and Roane had a blast being rock stars with their new guitars.
Of course, after all the gifts were opened, they had more fun playing in the box that Grandma's new tv came in!
Caleb drank 2 cups of eggnog. We had to make him stop drinking it. It suprises me sometimes what he likes and what he doesn't like! I wouldn't have thought he would like eggnog!
Kathryn was exhausted at the end of the night and she about fell asleep on Papa.
We headed to my grandparent's house at about 9 that evening to spend the night with them. We woke up bright and early on Sunday and rushed over for breakfast at Grandma Rose's. After saying goodbye to some of the family, we went over to spend some time with Russ' mom's side of the family at his aunt's house. The kids loved seeing their 2nd cousins and playing with them. I'm sad to say I didn't get many good pictures of the cousins! They also got to see their Great Grandpa Winters. And then surprise surprise, they got even more presents!
After eating lunch and spending time with all of them, we headed back over to my grandparent's house to spend some good time with them. It was nice to just sit and relax with them and not rush off again. My grandfather is 90 and my grandmother is almost 89 and they are still doing great. Grandma was the perfect hostess and she cooked us a great meal. The kids loved the m & m treat that Grandma had for them after supper that night and then Caleb performed some songs on his new guitar and Kathryn sang. My kids love to be the center of attention and Grandma and Grandpa sure let them be!
Here they are sitting with their Great Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson
and with their Great Grandma Rose
Overall, we had a busy but fun trip. We made some great memories that will stay with us forever. We love being able to go and see our grandparent's and spend time with the families. Unfortunately we don't do it as much as we should. It always reminds us how blessed we all are with such great families!
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Ride'm cowboy!
Kathryn riding a pig (her favorite animal)
Here they are with Grampy in a cool race car.
Here's Vet Caleb working on his favorite animal - a cat
Controlling some construction equipment
Choosing some desserts at the pretend bakery.
Here is Caleb ( in the middle of the picture) climbing up big stairs so that he can come down the 2 story slide. This was his favorite part of the day!
