Christmas 2012 and Our 5 Year Anniversary

I wish that these pictures were in order... They are not. :)

Dane and I had a great Christmas Break. I was fortunate to have a week off of work. We flew home direct on Friday night to Memphis. Dane's parents picked us up from the airport. We stayed with my parents until Christmas Day and then we stayed at Dane's parents until the Sunday after Christmas. My parents got us an awesome Nikon D3100 for Christmas/Anniversary. We are still learning how to use it, but I had to do this photo drop.

 Beth was home the entire time that we were home because we got snowed in! Oh.. on that note.. CONGRATS to my sister who passed both of her comps in her PhD program. She is the real deal.

 Mom made TWO homemade coconut cream pies and another pecan pie. She also made her famous homemade Christmas cookies. She always makes like 12 dozen or something for Dad to take to work.

 We had our annual Christmas Eve family pitch game.

 Dane took this picture of my parent's house with Christmas decorations.

 We went to the Womack home Christmas morning to open gifts. Corey was home for two weeks at Christmas. He moved to L.A. in October and we missed him at Thanksgiving.

 I love this little snowman woman that Angie has! She sings and dances.

 My parents hosted Mom's family Christmas for Christmas Brunch. I do not have any pictures of Christmas with Dad's family because I did not have my camera yet!

 My Pop!

 ...finally figuring out my camera settings ;)

 Mom and Beth

 Mr. Christmas himself!!

 Julie and Jimmy.

 We celebrated Christmas with Reid's family at a nursing home. Dane's Nanny Sherra had a knee replacement and was recovering/rehabilitating at Batesville.

 Dane's Grandpa Tony 

Dane's Aunt Nancy's children were all in for Christmas! Sara lives in Ireland and Kyle lives in Texas. Nancy and George loved having all 3 kids at home!

 We celebrated with Angie's family on Christmas night at Mert and Vaughn's house. It definitely snowing by the time we made it to their house.

 Dane and his scarfs.

 Mert got a bread box.

 Jody and Richard.

 Snow in Arkansas!! 

We had a great time and it was hard to leave our families. We made it back to Durham by Sunday afternoon. 

The Friday after New Year's was our FIFTH anniversary!! Being married to Dane Womack has been even better than I imagined. I wouldn't change anything about our life together. We celebrated our five year milestone with a trip to Charleston, SC.

 We stayed at the Elliot House Inn.

We had one of the best dinners we've ever had at Husk Restaurant. It was ranked Best New Restaurant In America by Bon Appetit and Southern Living in 2011. Our friends Dana and Brett recommended it.

 Charleston is a beautiful city with great American history.

 We ate a a diner from Diners Drive Inns and Drives.

 Yum. Biscuits and gravy to die for.

 It was a little chilly, but we just bundled up and walked around for 2 days. We parked our car when we arrived and did not get back in it until we left Charleston.

 We drove out to Sullivan's Island on our way home to see the ocean. 

I try to get to the ocean as much as possible.

This man. My husband. Thank you for 5 years. I love you.

Thanksgiving 2012

Dane and I flew home for Thanksgiving on Tuesday night. We were home for 5 nights. My sister made these great pictures on her Canon camera. I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures of our time with the Womacks.

 I love this picture of my Mom making homemade German chocolate cake.

 Poppy. :)

 We had Thanksgiving lunch at Julie's house.

 Sister picture.

 With Dane.

Handsome.

We celebrated Thanksgiving all day on Saturday with Dane's family. I loved time at home with our families.

We are headed home for Christmas Friday night! I cannot wait!! 

1. Dane and I went to an Advent service for the Methodist House at Duke. One of our friends John Carl lead worship and I learned this Christmas hymn that I fell in love with.
2. 
   
3. Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
   Born to set Thy people free;
   From our fears and sins release us,
   Let us find our rest in Thee.
   Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
   Hope of all the earth Thou art;
   Dear Desire of every nation,
   Joy of every longing heart.
4. Born Thy people to deliver,
   Born a child and yet a King,
   Born to reign in us forever,
   Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
   By Thine own eternal Spirit
   Rule in all our hearts alone;
   By Thine all sufficient merit,
   Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
   
   
   -Charles Wesley 1745

Nashville Birthday Weekend Update.

For my last birthday I asked my sister if we could all meet in Nashville. It was the end of Dane's fall break and my parents took off work on Friday and we all headed down on Thursday night. I really love Nashville as a city. Of course, I wish I lived in the same city as my sister. BUT I think it's pretty awesome that my sister lives in a fun city on I-40 between Memphis and Raleigh.

 I was super excited to meet my sister's officemate and friend Allison. She is very sweet and Beth loves sharing an office with her! She is also the friend of one of my friends from Duke. They went to Emory together for undergrad.

 Of course, mom and I hit up the mall for a brief shopping trip. The trip included a great new pair of boots from Macy's. Thanks Mom and Dad!

 Dane loves the mall! ;)

 We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

 I know, I know.. Eat This Not That says that it's the worst restaurant in America. 

All I can say is...the cheesecake changed my life a few years ago and I keep going back.

 Beth suggested we all for a hike on Saturday morning. 

The fall leaves were beautiful and the weather was perfect. 

 Dad was all smiles.

 My beautiful sister!

Ross was not able to join us- no dogs allowed.

 We had some great cuddle time with Ross. 

 For an afternoon snack we walked on over to Gigi's cupcakes for some cookie and Italian cream cupcakes. Good heavens.

 I cannot believe that my sister lives like one block from this place. Very very dangerous.

 Beth has the cutest new dress and I had to get a picture of it!! Love those ruffles. :)

 Saturday night we had dinner at The Pharmacy. Great burgers. A little chilly, but overall a great time.

 The Pharmacy ... Feel Better

 My sweet husband.

 We were trying to take a picture and a man outside offered to take it for us. Some people standing nearby told us to not let him fool us - the man was the owner. He was super nice.

 We finally got ice cream at the infamous Jeni's. I have had Jeni's from Hot Cold before.. but this was an entirely different experience. Simply amazing ice cream. No frozen yogurt for this girl. Oh yea.. Jeni's was the third desert of the weekend. But who's counting?

Thanks to my sweet sister for sharing her home (and her puppy!) with us for the weekend. I honestly think I had my best birthday yet. Family time is precious these days, and a three day weekend in Nashville was just what I needed.

Dane and I are super excited to be heading to the Arkansas vs. South Carolina football game on Saturday in South Carolina. Some of our former church members from Plummerville gifted us two tickets. The game is at noon so we are headed up Saturday morning.

We are also less than 2 weeks out from Thanksgiving!! 

I cannot wait to celebrate turkey time with our families.