Christmas in the Smokies…

So, this year we opted for something different for Christmas. Although, we have always tried to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, Christ- I have felt that despite our three present rule that we are still so busy and everything is so commercial this time of year, we miss the family time, the worship time, the slow-down and breath time that I desperately wanted Christmas to be.

I knew the only way we could slow-down would be get out of Florida. We have many responsibilities outside of our family and even when we are home together, Daddy and I have trouble just sitting down and being still with the kids. Since, we didn’t take a summer vacation and Aaron skipped his big hunting trip this year, I knew Christmas in the mountains could actually be possible.

We found a cozy, adorable cabin not to far from civilization in Waynesville, NC packed up all our stuff, our Nanni (my mom not a real nanny), our Uncle Zack, and hit the road.

Our best Christmas morning picture (I know pitiful, did I mention that my camera died while we were there and I already asked for a trip to the mountains for Christmas, so we were left with the good ol’ IPhone.

We explained to the kids that our only gifts this year would be our trip (and a stocking of course). Everyone kept asking what would the kids think about Santa—easy we have never done Santa. He is a fun story and we aren’t allowed to hurt others feelings by telling them any different.

Even though Santa doesn’t visit us personally, the Polar Express is one of our favorite stories. We took a ride out of Bryson City on the Polar Express, and it was so much fun! We dressed in our jammies, sang Christmas carols with a train car full of strangers, ate cookies and drank hot chocolate. Santa came by and gave all the kids a bell, which will be my kids ornament for this year. I would love to do this every year.

After the Polar Express, we went to the toy makers shop, a little old man with a big beard hand making wooden toys. His shop was amazing (darn my broken camera, and seemingly good sense not to rush out and buy charge the Canon I want) The man was having story time with 4 kids (2 were mine) and he was such a gifted story teller, the kids were mesmerized, he  told the stories about old timey Christmas and even of the first Christmas. Truly a blessed time.

We went tubing at tube world. I would have loved to go to the nearest mountain and bail off but there just wasn’t enough consistent snow. The kids don’t know any better and had a blast. I however am still recovering from a crimped up neck a month later. Y’all 35 is OLD.

Riley loved the hot tub on the deck!

We all loved Joey’s House of Pancakes—yummy!

I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas, no stressing over a clean house, no cooking for days on end, no worries about the best presents. Just peaceful family fun!

 

He determines the number of stars and calls them by name. Great is Our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limits. Psalms 147:4-5