Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks for all your blessings...I have a lot of them.
Matthew and I left Tuesday after work and made the 5 1/2 hour drive to Lextown, stopping to pick Benj on the way, and of course to get Baja. We tried to sleep in the next day to no avail, boo on getting old and needing less sleep. We got up and made a carrot cake to take to Cinci...I feel guilty now that I'm married about showing up at people's houses empty handed. Wednesday, we made our regular trip to Kennedy's and the UK bookstore to pick up a few Christmas goodies. We met David for lunch down by his work, boo on working, and around three we headed for Cinci.
Every year, traffic in Cinci is horrendous. Absolutely, pull your hair out, scream at the car in front of you terrible. The whole way there I was telling Matthew how much I was avoiding driving through downtown, because we would be stuck for "at LEAST an hour!". I usually don't enjoy being wrong, in fact, rarely ever... it comes with the genes of being a Smith. But in this case, I was pumped that we drove straight through the Nasty Nati at a pace of at least 65 mph. Fantastic!
We got there in just in time for dinner, which was of course Aunt Jeannie's white chili.. it's a tradition. After dinner, all the kids went to the Festival of Lights at the Cinci Zoo, which was really neat, despite the fact that we said, "Go Cats" to at least 3 Kentucky fans who ignored us. Really? Yankees... jk :) Ashley and I embarassed the whole crew by trying to talk to the reindeer in reindeer language, ya know from the Santa Claus movies? Matthew caught it on tape.
Andrew and his girly gloves
The original 4
Thursday was the big day. Matthew and I went for a run just so I wouldn't feel guilty about goarding myself at lunch. Lunch was fantastic, and I made it another year without having to get any of that cranberry mess. I'm not a picky eater, but nasty... After lunch we went to go see the movie The Blindside. F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. So great, that Sandra Bullocks attempt at a Southern accent didn't bother me in the slightest. I made it about 10 minutes in before I started crying the 1st of many times. It was such a reminder of what we are called to do as Christians. Katherine walked out saying, "I didn't know it was based on a true story!" I mean, where have you been? Since the movie, I have been virtually stalking Michael Oher, even cheering on the Ravens to victory.. don't judge me, Billick is no longer there! (who I heard was on the short list for the Notre Dame job, even more reason to pull against the Irish!).
pre stuffed
Friday morning, the girls minus Kath, braved the Black Friday crowds and went shopping. I know, you all know I hate shopping. But there are a few times a year that it must be done, otherwise I would not have clothes. Matthew likes to say that I like nice things, I just don't like the process in order to get them. If I hadn't gone, Mom would have nothing to wrap up for me on Christmas. It was actually a semi-pleasant experience, despite spending an hour in Nordstroms for Ashley to decide that she was not going to buy a pair of shoes.
Friday afternoon, Matthew and I headed back to Lexington to have Thanksgiving 2.0 at the Hardison household. We made it in time to watch the Iron Bowl... nervewracking. I'm glad we didn't stay to watch the game in Cinci (Uncle Grady and Andrew are huge Bama fans). I'm a little worried for the Tide coming in to the Championship game this weekend. And really Ole Miss? Way to lose to Mississippi State.
Matthew's cousin Liz came over for dinner with her two sweet kids, Kayla and Trey. After dinner, the Wyatts came over to hang out for a while before we all called it a day.
Saturday, we got up and commenced decorating for Christmas! Yes, it is now time people. Saturday afternoon Matthew and I got in the car once again to drive back to Nashville so Matthew could hang out with his good friend Scott T. that evening (sorry I missed you Scott!... long weekend).
I can barely write this without getting flustered. But UK... 25 years. It has got to stop. It was the perfect time to win and you CHOKED! I would have rather lost by 20 than watch another heartbreaking overtime loss. People were calling it the Bear Bryant curse, really? Could someone remind me of when he coached at the University of Tennessee?
Sunday we decorated the Smith home for Christmas. Mom and Dad strategically make sure I'm in town, so I can set up the snow villages for them. (I complain about doing it, but I secretly get offended if someone else tries to do it instead) This was also the day that the Fake came into the house. Matthew had to set up the so called "tree" since he is the only one in the house who knows how to put one up. I kept making snide comments, just so mom would know that I was still not ok with it. Comments like, "Oh it smells just like Christm... I mean plastic.".
It may look pretty... don't let it fool you.
My pride and joy.
Sunday afternoon, we were finally on our way back home, so we could decorate our own place for Christmas. We were exhausted. It was such a blessing to be able to see all of our family for Tgiving again this year, but as I told Matthew driving home.. I can't wait until we have kids, so people have to come see us!
My own tiny little snow village. Can't wait to add more...We bought one this year using gift cards STILL left over from the wedding. From $100 bucks we got it for $7!
The finished product. And no... this one does not smell like plastic.
We've been through a LOT together :)
Should have been the pic for the Xmas card.
Matthew and I had a much needed date night Friday. We went to see the Nutcracker by the Alabama Ballet and it was AWESOME! I hadn't seen it since middle school, and I was thoroughly impressed. So beautiful.
Geoff always gets invited to work parties, especially now that he is Ed's personal banker!
The Lab. Ed (Matthew's boss) is the one sitting on the far left holding up the book.
We had a bunch of laughs. Dirty Santa is always a good time.
My good friend Ally.
Ally's husband Stephen
We ate at one of our favorite restaurants Chez Fon Fon and then went to the Alabama Theatre to see my personal favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart is one of my all time favorite actors, and I just love the message of this movie. Of course I cried again at the very end of the movie... it's just too good. Here is the part that really gets me....
The organ player... who is hilarious (J and K- it was the same guy from Mamma Mia) The whole crowd sang some Christmas carols before they started the movie.
One of my favorite parts about seeing movies at the Alabama Theatre (despite it being absolutely beautiful on the inside) is that they show random facts about the particular movie on the screen before the show.
Now I have 3!
Sorry Roy Boy. See ya again next year. Or later on this season, perhaps?
So funny... Whoever you are out there. I wish we could be friends. 
