Gatlinburg Preview

Here are a few pictures of our Gatlinburg chalet that we will be staying at during the week and weekend!  We leave Tuesday afternoon and will return sometime Sunday evening.  We 're EXTREMELY excited about going to the mountains to celebrate the New Year's and spend some time with my family.  Philip and I both need some time to chill out and relax and hopefully this trip will give us just that.  We have many activities planned and can't wait to get up there!  I will post more pics after we return!  Everyone have a safe and happy NEW YEAR!!!

Our chalet had a HUGE remodel last year and has 3 bedrooms, a media/game room, and a hot tub!  We can't wait!!!!

The view from our wrap around porch...it's soooo beautiful!!!

Christmas at the Hollis'

Saturday night we had a wonderful time at the Hollis' Christmas party.  All the children were excited to see Santa( except Courtney) and open all their new toys.  Courtney is still scared of Santa and WILL NOT have anything to do with him.  Hopefully next year that will be different. It was good to see everyone and Courtney had a blast playing with all the other children.  All the kids seemed to have grown a foot since we'd seem them last.  

Courtney having a pouting fit.

Pam, Mama Mac, and Janet laughing how Santa looked like he was having "hot flashes".

The "Gang"

Courtney wearing her Rudolph nose

Brooke patiently waiting her turn to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.

Matt, Shannon, and Patrick pointing at the kids dancing.

Courtney pouted the whole time while sitting in Santa's lap.

Nick telling Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

Hear comes Santa!!!!!

Stripping

Courtney has decided that she no longer likes wearing clothes and takes them off whenever she can.  I caught her trying to do this when I had stepped out of the living room to do some laundry and when I returned this is what I found.  

New Basketball Goal

Courtney is loving her new basketball goal that Pops and Mimi got her for Christmas.  As you can tell from the pictures, anytime we're in the living room Courtney wants to play with her new present.  The goal is on the lowest level, but Courtney still needs a little help getting the ball through the hoop.  It won't be long and she will be doing all by herself!  Enjoy the pics!

Christopher's Graduation Ceremony UT-Knoxville

Here are the recent photos of my brothers graduation ceremony that took place last weekend, December 13.  Christopher graduated from UT-Knoxville with a nuclear engineering degree and we are VERY proud of him!!!!!     

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Papa Freddie and Courtney wondering how many names are they going to call until they get to Christopher's!  Actually their were 1200 people graduating and of course, the engineering department was the last one to be announced!

Courtney and Uncle Chris

Christopher and Dad.

Christopher and Mom.

Mama and Grandaddy Paul with the new graduate.

The "Boys"

Walking to get that diploma!

Of course graduation wouldn't be complete without a picture of him talking on his phone.

Grades Are In!!!!

Grades for this semester were posted and I'm very excited to announce that I earned three A's and a B! That put my semester GPA at 3.69 which made my overall GPA rise to a 3.56! With my GPA being above a 3.5, I'm now eligible to join the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society! I'm so excited and induction will be in the spring. This a goal I have had since I started back to school and I have worked REALLY hard to attain it! I wanted to share the good news with you and I should be posting some Christmas pictures soon! Hope everyone is enjoying all the Christmas and holiday festivities!

New Family Member

I would like to introduce you to our newest little family member. This is Daphne and she is our new black miniature schnauzer. I picked her out today and she is my Christmas/birthday present from Philip and Courtney. She won't be officially in our home until January 5, but I was so excited I had to show pictures of our new baby. At this point she is 8 weeks old and since we will be going out of town during the New Year's, we didn't want to bring her home then turn around and have to board her in a kennel. Anyway, I took a few photos of her and wanted to share them with everyone. She looks a little rough in the pictures, but she is a very healthy dog. She needs a bath and to be groomed, but that is something we can take care of after we get her home. I'm interested to see what Phoebe will think of her new little sister, but I already know the answer to that. At this point I'm trying to locate a vet in the Nashville/Clarksville area that does ear cropping so we can get that done ASAP. Anyway, we will be enjoying our new baby in a few weeks and we can't wait until we can welcome Daphne home.

New Christmas Wreath

Here is our new Christmas wreath and yes, I made it!!!  I had a little help from my mom with the red bow, but everything else I did.  I saw this wreath at Christmas Village selling for $89 and I didn't feel like paying that much for it.  It took a couple of days to make, but I think the finished product looks fabulous!!!!!  I'm very proud that my project turned out looking so well and that it is displayed on our front door!