Hello from St. Joe!

Well, a late merry Christmas to everyone! Nick and I are up in St. Joe for New Years weekend, enjoying some time with family. It's funny how we spend so much time anticipating the holidays and then we get so busy, it seems like we're almost ready to get back to the way things normally are so we can "relax". Ha! I kind of felt that way this week. I went back to work on Wednesday and by Friday I was maxed out with some projects. It seemed like half the company was gone on vacation, so it was easy to get a parking spot, but I felt like I was doing double the work. Saturday couldn't have some sooner! I'm thoroughly enjoying this weekend. Both Nick and I have decided we weren't going to go crazy on driving here, there, and everywhere to try to catch up with all the family and friends this week. It's been really nice... and it gives me a chance to catch up on here!

I know I promised I'd try to post some pictures on here from our Branson vacation. I fibbed (though not intentionally!). Neither of us own a "real" camera, so we picked up some disposables on the way out of town. Silver Dollar City was just beautiful and we really "had at it", taking shots of all the beautiful decor. Everything was in all its glory at night so we put the flash on and took over a roll and a half just in the dark. I'm sure that's like a big photographer's no-no, but all the Christmas lights were so bright, plus we used the flash so I guess we thought they would come out great. We both were disappointed when we got them developed because nothing was worth keeping. So, you'll just have to take our word for it--- it was beautiful there! We were so lucky that the weather held out over the weekend (partly cloudy and mid-sixties). I had done some research online and we found (what looked like) a cute, inexpensive hotel. It took one look in our room to realize the pictures posted online were from several years past... but it was totally fine. Nick brought season two of Monk and we watched the last episode as we unpacked our stuff. We went to SDC early evening on Saturday. Neither one of us could believe the traffic--- the would-have-been 10 minute ride from the hotel to the park ended up being a stand-still hour and a half event! We later found out that they broke record attendance in their entire park history--- over 25,000 visitors in one day! We had made it just in time to see the last showing of A Christmas Carol for the night. The waiting line to get into the theater was honestly so long, we didn't know if we'd make it in. We not only got in, but got great seats in the center (a perk of just being a group of two!). The show was fabulous and the highlight of our little trip. It was honestly at the caliber of a Broadway show (from the singers to the costumes to the stagecraft). On Sunday, we did devos and swung by the Tanger Outlet Mall (which was conveniently right behind our hotel). Another afternoon in the park topped it all off and then we headed back home as the sun was setting. It may have only been a two-day event, but we loved our first real vacation, just the two of us!!!

This past weekend, we took another trip... this time up north to be with family for Christmas. While it was a wonderful time, I'd still like to figure out a way to master the art of compromise when traveling! Since all of our immediate and extended families live within the Kansas City area we end up having a free-for-all experience, doing a little hit-and-miss with a family here and then an up-and-leave with another family there. I'm sorry if it left any of you short-changed! We were glad that we were able to see everyone on both sides of the family within the four days we were up. The memories we wrack up over the holidays are always treasured.

And as I'd mentioned earlier, we're in St. Joe for part of the weekend for New Years. Tomorrow we'll be heading to Olathe to hang out with my aunt & uncle and their family. This time around, it's been great totally relaxing, with no big plans!!!

Next weekend we'll be taking a trip up north once more. This time, to Washington, KS. My grandpa, Marvin Morehead, passed away on December 19th after a long-time battle with organ problems (mainly, his liver). My brother Michael has been asked to play piano and I've been asked to sing. I've never sung for a funeral (and never known anyone personally who's died), so it's been a challenge finding just the right song. I'm thinking I'll go with Chris Rice's Untitled Hymn (Sing to Jesus). If anyone has any suggestions, though, please let me know.

Well, best be getting. Happy New Years!