Merry Christmas 2020

We have had a wonderful Christmas! The festivities have extended all week long. After Boomer and I returned from our anniversary weekend in Asheville, we went to church that evening for the Candlelight Service. There is always a beautiful photo spot just outside of the sanctuary, and we snapped a few pictures while we were all dressed up in our Sunday best. We are still watching morning church on the computer at home, so it has been awhile since we have attended a service in person. Eli had been a little fussy, mostly because of FOUR molars that are coming in, and unfortunately he and Boomer did not make it through the whole service. Emmy did very well being quiet during Communion, and she sang along to some of the songs that she knew. She loved holding her candle high as we all sang Silent Night at the end. 

After working on Monday and Tuesday, I managed a solo trip to the Science Center with Emmy and Eli on Wednesday the 23rd. We always have a fun time at the Science Center! 

On Christmas Eve, we gathered at my parents' house for our traditional spread of snack foods. Eli loved having some of Grammy's sugar cookie, and everyone filled up on other sweets, dips, sandwiches, and meatballs. After the adults opened their presents and the kids opened just one, we watched Polar Express. I somehow talked Boomer into wearing matching pajamas again, which was worth documenting in front of the Christmas tree. 

We hustled home to get ready for Santa. Emmy set out cookies and milk, and we also dusted reindeer food on the front yard. The kids were in bed around 8:30PM, and they were asleep right away. Boomer and I completed the finishing touches in the living room and were in bed ourselves pretty soon. Luckily no presents required assembly or batteries this year! 

Christmas morning started around 7:15AM in the Kennedy household. Emmy was so excited to get light-up Elsa slippers (Crocs) from Santa. It was her one request, and after originally ordering the wrong size, I was so relieved when they arrived in the mail a few days before Christmas. Emmy also received Elsa Band-Aids, an Elsa ornament, and Frozen crayons in her stocking. From Mommy and Daddy, she got a personalized clipboard and super-size Frozen coloring pages. Eli's haul was a bit more modest - a few Hot Wheels cars. After spending a little time at home, we headed over to the Houstons' around 9AM for breakfast and more gifts. From Aunt Megan and Uncle Zack, Emmy got her very own Elsa doll. She also got Anna and Cinderella from Grammy and Grandpa, and her favorite thing has been having them "be best friends" together. She has such an imagination and could easily entertain herself for hours with made-up scenes and conversations. Eli got a lion hooded towel from Aunt Megan and Uncle Zack, which means I have officially packed up the infant hooded towels we had been using. He also got some 18 month clothes from Grammy and Grandpa, and his favorite toy is a train with buttons that make noise. 

After leaving the Houstons', we made a stop by Grandma's, and I was able to go inside and visit with her for a few minutes. Then we drove to Star to finish off the rest of our Christmas travels. We arrived at Boomer's parents' house around noon. Kyle and Carlin were there as well, and the rest of the gang arrived around 4PM. We then began an epic round of presents, with Emmy getting another Elsa doll (but in a different dress!), some craft supplies, books, and a Barbie schoolhouse set. Eli racked up too, with a dump truck and Tickle Me Elmo. Boomer and I got some gift cards and new tailgating chairs. We had a traditional Christmas meal of ham, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Before we knew it, it was well past dark and time to hit the road. We arrived back in Kernersville around 9PM with both kids asleep in the backseat and a trunk full of goodies. It was again a rush to get the kids to bed and close out our fun Christmas. 

We have truly had a magical Christmas season. It was such a blessing to gather together with family and to continue our traditions even in a time of uncertainty. Jesus's birth still brings hope, joy, and light to His people. Merry Christmas, from the Kennedys!

Our 10th Anniversary

Boomer and I celebrated our 10th anniversary this past weekend with a getaway to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Earlier in the year, we had discussed more exotic destinations for this very special occasion, but we decided that it would be best to stay closer to home given the continued concerns with COVID. (A vaccine was recently released, and it is likely that it will be available to the general public sometime in the spring.) As it was, I could not have pictured a more perfect weekend. We previously celebrated our 1st anniversary in Asheville, so it was special to return again nine years later. It was our first time staying at the Grove Park, and wow, what an experience! It is hard to say what was my favorite part: the food, the views, the Christmas decorations, the festive atmosphere, the fireplaces...all of these things combined to make the most wonderful weekend. We arrived in the late afternoon on Friday, and after checking in, we headed to our dinner reservation at the Blue Ridge dining room. On Friday evenings, the restaurant has a seafood buffet that was highly recommended by my friend Liz. Crab legs, oysters, shrimp every way imaginable, fish and chips, and my favorite, the white truffle risotto. I didn't even know I liked white truffle risotto! Our table overlooked the mountains and downtown Asheville, and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset while we ate. And ate and ate! We ate until we were quite uncomfortable, and then we somehow managed dessert, which was featured in its own separate room. Boomer and I shared the bread pudding with vanilla cream sauce and the bananas foster. Our waiter also brought a couple of macaroons for our anniversary. This meal no doubt goes down on our Top 10 List. We walked around some after dinner, snapping a photo in front of the large Christmas tree in the main hall. Sadly the Grove Park did not have their famous gingerbread houses as they usually do, but they did have the 2020 winner on display. My family would always come to see the gingerbread houses, and in fact, it was during this trip in 2009 that Megan famously talked me into a Christmas wedding. Boomer and I had fun reminiscing as we walked around the resort before turning in for the night.   

On Saturday morning, after a workout at the Sports Complex, we headed back to the Blue Ridge dining room for a buffet breakfast. Much like the night before, the food was incredible. I snapped a picture of "Round 1" - a made-to-order omelet, biscuits and gravy, a yogurt parfait, and the most delicious sugar donut holes. Subsequent rounds included waffles, pancakes, breakfast potatoes, sausage, and fresh fruit. After breakfast, we explored more of the grounds and just generally relaxed with no specific agenda. There are a number of themed trees throughout the Inn, and I knew Emmy would love the one with ice cream and candy. Near this tree was a quiet alcove where Boomer took a nap while I read. Then we moved back into the main lobby near the large fireplace for a midafternoon snack and drinks. Before we knew it, it was time to eat again! We had a 5PM reservation at another restaurant on the property, the Edison. Boomer ordered shrimp and grits, while I had the "smash burger." We enjoyed a complimentary dessert: a peach sable breton. We weren't quite sure what it was when we picked it off the menu, but it was delicious too! 

After dinner on Saturday night, we headed east to stay the night in Morganton. Before heading to our hotel there, we drove through the "lights at the center," a true Morganton experience, which was made that much more enjoyable with Boomer's funny commentary. There were some new scenes since my last visit, and again I thought of Emmy when we drove by the cast from Frozen. Our time in Morganton was fairly short. This morning, we slept in and then grabbed breakfast at the cutest restaurant called Swede's Cafe. I had a breakfast sandwich made with French toast, and Boomer had biscuits and gravy with a side of sausage. Can you tell that food was the theme of the weekend?

We were able to really relax throughout the weekend knowing that Emmy and Eli were in such good hands. Aunt Megan picked up Emmy from school on Friday and dropped her off at Grammy and Grandpa's. Judging from the photos, she and Eli both had a blast, playing with the dollhouse and cars, watching movies, and napping in their big bed. Thank goodness for Grammy and Grandpa! Our little getaway would not have been possible otherwise. 

We are back at home and gearing up for a couple more days of work before the Christmas break. I love all the memories we made from our time away. The sweetest moment was on Friday evening when Boomer showed me a video he made of pictures of us from over the last ten years. It was a complete surprise. He captured all the special milestones from the past decade: baseball games and summer trips, graduations, the arrival of Emmy and Eli. I was so touched by his thoughtfulness. It is hard to know what the next ten years will look like, but I am so thankful for Boomer and the life we have built together. He is such an amazing husband, father, and just my favorite person ever! I'm so glad I said "Yes, but when?" all those years ago!