Visits for Thanksgiving and Christmas

We were very grateful to have Lincoln, Rachel, and Connor join us in Knoxville for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’ve never lived apart as a family, and we’ve taken for granted that we could gather together anytime we wanted. Now that we live 1,800 miles apart, it was a special time to be back together.

Thanksgiving

Lincoln came into Knoxville the week before Thanksgiving, and Connor and Rachel joined us the week after Thanksgiving, which meant we were all together for one day…Thanksgiving Day. We packed a lot into that week:

• Tennessee/Georgia football game and Neyland Stadium
• Top Golf in a downpour
• Visit to Dollywood
• Thanksgiving!
• Visit to the Giving Machines in Turkey Creek
• Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga
• Tennessee/Vanderbilt football game

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We were very grateful to have a visit from our neighbors in Utah, Jay and Amy Despain. They planned a fun trip to Nashville and were so kind to make the 2.5 hour drive to Farragut to go to lunch together. It was fun to spend time with these great friends.

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Christmas

We had everyone back together for the week of Christmas, with more fun that included:

• Another trip to Dollywood (and more Cinnamon Bread…if you don’t know, look it up)
• University of Tennessee men’s basketball game
• Dolly Parton Christmas Stampede in Pigeon Forge
• Buccee’s (again…if you don’t know…look it up) for brisket sandwiches, Beaver Nuggets, and Texas Cheesesteak Burritos
• Kimberly’s new favorite restaurant…Chili’s (not sure how that happened)
• Two zone conferences with the entire family
• A family Christmas tradition: It’s a Wonderful Life

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Nothing better than being together as a family.