The Christmas Tour Post II (Tennessee!)

We were kind of slow starting out to TN and only made it to Asheville by dinner, so we arrived really late on the 26th. We took it easy on the 27th until it was time to head to Memphis for the afternoon/evening. We always love going downtown when we're in town, and The Peabody is usually the first place we go! It was beautifully decorated for Christmas, and in a moment of amnesia I thought my children would be quiet angels as we took in all the decorations. Well... not so much. But they had tons of fun, and after I remembered that they're little I did too.

They wanted to take a picture in front of the elephant! They were requesting all sorts of pictures...

...like with these deer!

The gorgeous fountain from the second floor balcony. This is where the ducks come down everyday to swim and do their tricks!

The two-story Christmas tree!

A brief moment of stillness.

Apparently every Christmas The Peabody *bakes* their own Candy Land to display. It was phenomenal! And so yummy looking!

It is enormous, spread out over a long table, with all the little places on the Candy Land board game.

The ingredients used to make it! (Click on the picture to enlarge and read it.)

After adventures at The Peabody, we picked up Billy and all went out for some delicious BBQ. Now, I grew up on the vinegar-y barbeque of NC, but I will definitely concede that Memphis is the top dog when it comes to this dish. 

The boys wanted a picture with this big red dog, who looks like Clifford. 

The next day we went to church with Bettra, and the boys got to stay in the nursery with one of the ladies who kept Jimmy in there when he was little! I've really enjoyed Charleston Baptist when we've been in Covington. After church we had lunch with some family and then got ready for Allie's birthday party that night.

The little ones chowing down on mac and cheese that night- Jocelyn and Paisley (Kyle's daughters), Charlie and Henry, Allie and Oliver.

Stephanie made a really cute cake, and here is Allie blowing out her candles! Melissa, Stephanie, and I were all pregnant at the same time Christmas four years prior. Bettra got three new grandkids in about 6 weeks! Allie's birthday was Dec. 28th, Charlie's on Jan. 19th, and Miley's on Feb. 2nd.

There is no shortage of toys at Mam-maw's! I love watching the cousins play together when we're there.

Hugs for a fun Christmas present! She gave the boys some cool army trucks that they love playing with (among other things).

Reading with Mam-maw the next morning!

For lunch on that Monday we met up with Sarah and Todd, Tina, and Cindy at the mall in Germantown. We all ate at Chick-Fil-A in the food court, let the kids play on the indoor playground while we visited, and finished up near the carousel.

Can you tell Charlie was excited?!

Henry cheesing on the bench.

Daddy and his boys.

I rode with Sarah and adorable, squishy, precious little Shelby. She was only about a month old here!

Sweet little ones

The gang (minus me)

The gang, take two, since we never know what the boys' faces will look like...

The Byrds! I like the picture of Jimmy and me, and it would be awesome if the boys were looking.

That evening the Parhams came over since we hadn't been able to see them the night before. The kids had a wonderful time playing together!

Charlie and Micah

Busy with Legos, trucks, etc., etc.

Busy, busy!

Reading with Aunt Melissa.

Mexican Dominoes! (Or Mexican Train, can't remember) I played several games with Billy, Bettra, and Mark, and we had a blast. Everyone was in an extra laughable mood, and Mark and Jimmy were especially goofy. :) Fun times.

Mam-maw has the perfect hall for running up and down!

Playing pirates- Micah has the map, Henry has the telescope, and Miley has an important book!

4 of the cousins! Aren't they cute?!

Take two, because... kids.

The next morning we were going to see the Parhams again so the kids could make the reindeer cupcakes Charlie got for Christmas, but I woke up feeling wretched. My stomach was allllll out of sorts, so instead of leaving later in the afternoon we went ahead and packed up. Bettra had friends coming into town and I for sure was too embarrassed to be sick in front of people I don't know, and we didn't want to risk anyone else getting sick on the road. Plus, if Charlie had gotten the bug while potty training that would have been a MESS. Fortunately, we were able to stop outside of Pigeon Forge that night, and then we made it the rest of the way the next day. We were thankful I was feeling better and that no one else was sick. We were glad for the chance to see family at Christmas, but we were also very happy to get back home!!