Jeff and I have been on the road for 9 days w/stops in Memphis, Chicago, Upper Michigan, Grand Rapids and then like a horse for the barn to get back home. Our dear friends in Memphis live DT on the 14th floor overlooking the mighty Mississippi River and the I-40 bridge. When weather permits, nothing can sooth the soul like sitting on that balcony and watching the world go by. Chicago was 10 degrees w/25 mph winds - but grand-baby Gabriel is there so 'nuff said' - We spent an afternoon inside the mall and got the kids kitchen items so they are prepped to cook at home instead of eating fast food all the time! Christopher cooked a pork loin w/mashed potatoes the next night, now we know he knows how. It was awesome! Off to Kalkaska, MI. to pick up a trailer, where they had about 18" of snow on the ground and this is the picture I took looking out our window at the adjoining pool at the lodge where we spent the night. Pretty bizarre site for a southerner! Once we had the trailer hooked up we headed south for a very special meeting in Grand Rapids. DH met his 2 half brothers on the Nott side for the first time ever. We had a nice dinner w/Chris and his family on Fri night; Tim met us for breakfast the next AM, thus we could not get a pic of all 3 together but believe me when I say no DNA necessary - they all look so very much alike. Did I mention that it was snowing and there was 2" of snow on the ground on Sat morning? We traveled from Grand Rapids, MI. to Mt Vernon, IL. in snow and freezing temps all day but this was not our first time to do this so I was not scared at all! The rest of the trip was uneventful, but long and we made it home around 2 PM on Mon. Both of us hit the ground running in different directions to get caught up and ready for Christmas. This has been the theme of the week and continues as I type. Jeff is delivering a trailer, I am baking and cleaning. Brandon is home/out of the USAF but has joined the ANG and is working 2 P/T jobs; Melissa is working and going to school. My kids in GA are well and happy, the grand-baby girls growing so fast! They called while we were on the road and Blakely sounds so grown up! What a joy they are to me. We will have Jeff's bro John, Brandon, Melissa & Jesse coming Christmas day and maybe a bonfire in the backyard after dinner. No Christmas cards this year folks, just a sincere blog post with warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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