Christmas in Arkansas!

This year we spent Christmas in Arkansas with Jeff's side of the family.  Because our families are hours apart, we began a rotation when we got married of spending Thanksgiving and Christmas alternating years with the different sides.  We really like this set up because it allows us to spend more time with family.  The downside is that we don't get to see everyone on the special holidays- though we are always able to work out seeing them sometime before or after.

This year we decided to ride up with Jeff's parents from their new town in Alabama.  Not only did this cut down on the trip, but it ended up being a really fun time to spend with them.  We have always had our best quality conversations in the car on long trips, and this time it included the parents!

Jeff's family has always gone to AR for holidays.  both Linda and Harroll's families are there.  Usually on Christmas we spend Christmas Eve with Linda's family in Jonesboro.  There is typically a lunch and gift exchange and lots of cousins aunts and uncles filling up the house.  This year was different because Nanaw was in the hospital.  She went in because she wasn't feeling well a few weeks ago and ended up getting a pacemaker.  We went by their house as usual and had a smaller lunch with a few family members, and then took turns visiting Nanaw and Pawpaw in the hospital.  It was fun to see everyone, but sad to see sweet Nanaw not feeling well.  It is amazing that both of them are able to be independent and we pray that will continue for a long time.

After that visit we made the 30 minute trek to Walnut Ridge, the small town that Harroll's family is from.  Neeno also still lives in her home there and hosts her three children and their families each Christmas.  As Jeff says- Santa Claus always knew to come to Neeno's house for them.  We gathered there for ham, smoked turkey, breakfast casserole, fruit salad, peanut butter cookies, and other wonderful holiday food- including the world's best country green beans :) Christmas morning we, along with ten others and one dog, opened presents one by one, with lots of squealing and pictures.  A few hours later we finished and had a full holiday lunch.  We love our time in Arkansas with family! 

A few pics of the festivities:

Little Bean got a present!!!

the cousins and Neeno from top: Jeff, Neeno, Ben, Lindsey, Christina, me, and Little Bean

Several of us got these adorable knit headbands with flowers on the side from left: Christina, Debbie, Lindsey, me and Little Bean :)

Neeno gave each family a copy of her engagement picture from years ago  from top left: Steve, Debbie, Neeno, Lindsey, Harroll, Jeff and Christina