December First Part

A good friend makes peanut chocolate clusters. Don just loves them. Last year I texted with her asking if I could reimburse her would she make some for me so I could give them to Don for Christmas. This year she made them again. I left them with Don in his office. A few days later.... 

The leaders of our church are phenomenal people. This was from the general authority that came to our stake conference. I'm sure he wrote these to many many people, but I was honored to be the recipient of one. 

I've been struggling with how to organize / decorate / use the space - whatever you want to call it - in the new home. So I reached out to a friend for ideas. Here's the video I sent. 

I then drew several options on paper because moving things around with my silly knee was painful. Eventually Don provided help and we landed on this option. I made this video to let my friend know we figured something out. 

My mother gave me the recipe for her Braided Swiss Bread. 

Sunrises are still quite beautiful, but I usually refuse to go outside to take pictures because sunrises are also quite cold these days. 

It was mostly worth going outside for to see this myself. 

Our HOA put together an evening with Santa. Rebekah is at the point where she feels too old for this but part of her just doesn't want to be too old for this. I think she is trying her hardest to still believe. Oh, and she asked Santa for a dog this year. Bless Santa's heart, he said, "I'm better with toys...."

Rebekah is still writing letters to Santa, this year she used a box as the mail box. 

Her letter:

My name is Rebekah. 

I am 10 years old. 

Here are some things that I would like 

* A pet

*A present Pet

*A doll anything

*A Minecraft anything

Love, Rebekah 

The next day she found Santa's reply:

Dear Rebekah

Thanks for the letter.

Congratulations on being 10 years old.

Thank you for the list of things you want.

I will consider all the things on your list and discuss with your parents. 

Always be good and always be good to your parents.

Santa

(after reading the letter to herself, Rebekah told us 

she didn't think Santa wrote that last part 

about being good to your parents....) 

Speaking of dogs, I started the Christmas calendars. We didn't have a big Stirland family picture this year, so I chose a big picture of Chester's head instead. 

Don and I finally were able to visit the temple. They had this nativity set up. 

Rebekah's Christmas artwork:

This one from school

At grammy's

At church. 

(This features Don as Santa) 

Rebekah: "Dad! Be Careful!" 

Don: "it's fine...." 

Me: "NO it's not!"

Rebekah's teacher posted this (as well as the other student groups) on the Facebook page. That's Rebekah's 'Pod" - with whom she spends all her covid educational experience.

I finished the Walker yearly memory book.

Rebekah wrote yet another letter to Santa:

Dear Santa,

My name is Rebekah Walker.

You prop. already know that because you're Santa.

How old are you? (I am doing a blog called Q & A with Santa so)

2) What is your fav. reindeer? Comet, Dancer, Rudolf? I would say Comet.

3) What is your fav book?

That is the last question.

I also wanted to ask if you would get some candy for my mom 

and some candy for my dad too for Christmas. 

I would like everyone to have a nice day and a lego set and a dog and Minecraft ideas (I am running out).

Thanks for your time. 

Rebekah

I wanted a family picture for Christmas but realized rather early on that was not going to happen, so I took a bunch of family selfies. This was one of the better ones. Merry Christmas from the Walkers, eh?

Setting up Christmas

Then it was time to set up Christmas. Our first Christmas in the new house. Welcome to your new spot Mr. Tree. And because every tree needs a star: 

 

I also told Rebekah I would get her a mini tree for her room if she kept her room clean. So we cleaned it up and she got the tree. 

I was thinking this would replace the felt tree we've used since she was 2, which I thought she was getting too big for. However, she recently told me that she still needs the felt tree. Ah well. Guess it's all about the memories. 

Tennessee

A few days before we took this trip I talked to Don and posed the question: should we cancel? There's still so much that needs to get done around the house to make it feel like a home, not to mention we're both generally tired. And it's a 5 hour drive and Rebekah doesn't have an iPad any more. And we could use the money we save on things like fancy blinds. All that being said we decided to cancel. But then we informed Rebekah who got upset and told us we couldn't cancel. And like that, we were on again. 

We left somewhat later than we imagined. I packed lunch for everyone and even brought some pie to eat at the hotel once we arrived. Our first stop was at the Kentucky boarder. Is it just me or does Rebekah look extremely tall? 

At that point Don had me drive. I made it about an hour in before my knee started suggesting that I have Don drive again. However he was snoring pretty hard so I kept going. Another hour into it and my knee was screaming. I woke Don but it was a while before we found a stopping place. Once we did he completed the drive and we made it in time for dinner. Then we got in our jammies, watched hotel TV, and ate pumpkin pie. 

The plan for the next day was Gatlinburg. I had a friend who went and told me I'd love it. I saw her pictures and imagined being surrounded by nature, and although it would be cold dormant nature I was still somewhat excited. However it was nothing like I imagined. Way more commercialization. So many shops. So many people. But we made the best of it. 

There was a Christmas tree display and it was free so we went towards that. 

The Bee wanted a picture with this guy. If you look closely you'll se her making the same facial expression. Just needs a mustache. 

Someone offered to take our picture with Santa. 

Then we found the trees. 

If I had any drinking friends I'd sent this picture:

All of these trees were for sale. Most already purchased. All way above anything I'd consider spending for a one time tree / display, but still fun to look at. 

I gave Rebekah my phone and she captured many moments. 

On our way out: 

I took a selfie of the Walkers with the bear but someone asked if they could take it for us, so: 

I thought we were done with trees but there were a few more outside of the room. Who doesn't love a Mary Poppin's tree? 

Practically perfect in every way....

Kind of liked this dress inspired one too. 

Lots of bears around. 

We then walked through the arts and craft show. It's amazing what people can do with their own hands! There was one lady who did these fascinating portraits made with all real materials (leaves, rocks, grass, etc). I would have taken a picture if I thought it was allowed. 

At this time we thought we should do something for Rebekah. The idea was to take her go-karting. She kind of had a mini meltdown with the noise and the amount of people. Guess she has more of me in her than I thought. So she and Don went around a few times together. Apparently she kept telling Don he was going too fast. 

We drove back through the Tennessee hills to the hotel, had dinner, and then Rebekah jumped right into the pool like she never left it. She is so happy in the water. Makes me so sad she decided not to swim. But she likes to play and apparently swimming is too much like hard work. 

But she's always up for playing with dad.  

The next morning I got in the shower to find Rebekah's love for her dad all over the shower walls. If you look closely you'll see the heart and the word dad in the middle. 

More hearts with dad in the middle. And no, I'm not too shocked there's no mention of "mom" ... sigh. 

Rebekah wrote a nice note to the next occupants of the room.

And then we were on our way out. 

There were a few civil war history sites I wanted to stop by, but they turned out to actually be September 11th and Vietnam memorials. 

We found some state history sites. 

On this road there was a meeting of Union and Confederate supporters. We did find the plaque that discussed the events. 

Then, we headed home. 

Stopping at the Kentucky line. 

Stopped so Rebekah could say hello to the horses. 

Loved the hills. Think this is the Cumberland range. 

Had a nice sunset on the way home, arriving right in time for bed and church the next morning.