
So how was Seattle you ask? It was really quick but definately fun! I loved being able to hang out with my family, even if it was for only a few days. Once I was at my parents house, it didn't feel like all that much time had actually gone by. I was staying back in my old room from when I was a teenager (then became Kris', then Jason's, and now Kati's room) and all the old familiar smells and sounds I remember. The flights out were relatively smooth (thank you God!) and I packed in as much as I could in those three days I was home. I was able to get Jason some of our favorite chocolates from Oh Chocolate! and burgers from Dicks - oh how I've missed the little things!! I've also missed my friends a whole bunch and my short stay in Seattle did not allow much flexibility to squeeze visits in with anyone else, but I do hope to be back in Seattle in the next month or so to spend a few more days with some dear friends, and this time bringing my honey along with me. This first picture you see is of me with the family at The Beach Cafe in Kirkland. You can't see the waterfront behind me, but it was a beautiful day. From left to right that's my mom, then my cousin's Kathrine and Kolleen, my dad and me (Kati was taking the picture).
So to start, I got in to Seattle on Thursday evening and Kris picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to the theater to see Stomp The Yard. It was pretty good, but I think I'll like it more the second time around. Afterwards, I was too much of a grandma to join her and Barco to go out dancing, but then it had already been a long day for me with working a half day, flying for 4 1/2 hours and then going to a movie. I know, you feel sorry for me don't you? ha! In this second pic, my mom got Kati, dad and I at the Beach Cafe, with Kolleen trying to sneak her way into the photo as well.
After coming home from the movie with Kris, my family started to arrive at the house to give me big hugs and smooches. Dad had been working that night and Kati was off partying somewhere I'm sure, but they heard I was home and they came a runnin'! I ended up staying up till nearly 4am Nashville time! Friday consisted of a family lunch to The Beach Cafe in Kirkland on the waterfront, and it was simply beautiful outside! I have missed the water so much back home!! Kati was gracious and took the girls back to the house, so mom & dad could spend some quality time with me. In true Kelly fashion, we ended back at the theater and watched ROCK-Y BAL-BOA! (You're supposed to yell that out in broken syllables, like the announcer does). I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it. Those of you that don't know, Rocky has been a vital part of our upbringing - so what if Dad had all girls, that didn't keep us from being raised with Rocky, Elvis, race car sets and war films. (love you dad!) And to make the day even better, it turned out that we were the only ones in the theater - so during the scene where Rocky runs up the steps in his sweats, training
for his big fight (yes, I'm talking about the last movie, not the first one), mom gets up and starts running around the theater boxing at the air. At first I was like - oh no. But then I looked over at Dad (who had stars in his eyes toward his wife), and said - "why not?" So we both got up and joined mom in running around the whole theater, boxing at the air to the Rocky theme. It was awesome and yes, we're a little bit crazy, but so what! After our workout in the movie theater, we headed to the Taproom for dinner and beer - oh yeah, I don't drink. And who do we run into, but my favorite people...(I'm being sarcastic here)...Uncle Larry & Aunt Marilyn Kelly. We hung out with them for a bit while we were waiting to be seated, but then they tried to crash our dinner and well, that's just taking it a little too far. We said goodbye and enjoyed the rest of our dinner catching up on life. Saturday morning Kati and I got up and
jumped into bed with Kris. She loves us when we do that! We had to have sister snuggle time! I think its my favorite thing when us girls get together - we make a sister sandwich with Kris in the middle and she gets all squirrly, its so great. Now that Kris was up, she and Kati made me a wonderful breakfast complete with waffles, fresh orange juice and lattes. I then left to meet up with Tina, Jay and the fam (I missed you Addie!) and we exchanged Christmas gifts. Jason and I received the most beautiful canvas portrait of one of our favorite wedding pictures, fully framed and matted. Now we just need to decide where we want to hang it! I'll have to take a picture of it and show you all. This picture of Kati and I cracks me up - mom wanted to take a picture of us and we didn't plan
it at all, but we had the same exact expression on our face. So funny. I really wish I had more pictures of Kris though. When she was around, my camera wasn't working - which was a bummer, cause her and Kati were thrashing around on the hallway floor and those would have made some fun pics.
it at all, but we had the same exact expression on our face. So funny. I really wish I had more pictures of Kris though. When she was around, my camera wasn't working - which was a bummer, cause her and Kati were thrashing around on the hallway floor and those would have made some fun pics.
And finally Saturday night was the big concert - the whole reason I flew to Seattle in the first place. George Strait, Ronnie Milsap and Taylor Swift were performing at the Tacoma Dome and Kati and I had great seats. I felt bad being there with her, since I'm not a true George Strait fan and I know my husband would have enjoyed it way more than I did, but nonetheless, George did not disappoint in the least. And Kati was as giddy as a schoolgirl. On the way home we stopped for ice cream at Dicks and then I stayed up late with parents to watch The Guardian before heading off to bed. Sunday was bittersweet - I had to say goodbye to my family once again, which I never like and then Tina came and picked me up so we could get a cup of coffee before heading to the airport. I hated leaving my family, but I very much missed my husband too. So while I was sad, I was really excited to see my man. That flight was great too and I arrived back to Nashville greeted by 15 degree weather....brrr! I hope you all enjoyed the pictures, stories and updates of my time in Seattle. I wished I could have spent more time there, but hopefully I'll be back again soon. I love you all and think of you often!Oh! And to explain the heading of "It Snowed!" - Well it did! It snowed here in Nashville last Thursday night and again on Sunday. It didn't stick enough for our office to close, but it did blanket Nashville with close to two inches and it stuck around for a couple days. I'm hoping we get more this week and enough to close down my work so I get a snow day!! That's all for now - I hope your all enjoying your winters as well, where ever it is you call home :-)






What a good-looking couple huh? This was taken before the wedding and can I tell you that I wasn't nervous hardly at all? I thought for sure I would be jumping out of my skin with anxiety before the ceremony, but I was so calm and so at peace - it was the blessing and anointing from God kissing this day with His approval.








Jason and I spent the most romantic and relaxing Christmas in our cabin near the Smoky Mountains. We weren't quite in the Smoky Mountains, but we were close to them, in Morristown, Tennessee. I think we saw maybe one or two cars and not a soul in sight from our cozy little haven. The cabin had to have been maybe a year old - cause everything seemed so new and beautiful. We spent most of our time lounging in our pj's just hanging out.
For the majority of the time, I was obsessed with a puzzle that Mom Keith sent to us. This is how the puzzle looked Christmas morning and I had finished it by the next day! (And yes, Jason did help as much as he could :-) )
Jason kept himself quite busy writing up yet another new Christmas song. As I sat there working on the puzzle, he would often be sitting at the table or in the hot tub singing to his recorder with a Cream Soda in his hand. Ah, this is the life! I believe in total he has completed 4 Christmas songs this holiday season and I can't wait to hear what they sound like when they get demo'd.
I was good for the most part in getting some pictures from our time in the cabin, but I am sad to report, that we didn't get one of us together. We did however get a few of eachother on Christmas Day and throughout our trip that I think many of you will enjoy.
This first picture is of our little "Charlie Brown" tree. I had originally thought we would cut a little one down to use, but the cabin had this little guy and I had brought some bulbs to hang on it. Isn't it cute? We got so spoiled by our families too. ALL these presents are mostly from family back home! We got new clothes, books, cds, games, and cash! Talk about being blessed! Thank you so much to our families! We sure did miss you all and loved having the chance to talk to you all on the phone.
This next picture from our vacation is our Christmas morning breakfast. I had made Banana bread and Jason made us French Press coffee.
Christmas morning we hammed it up for a couple pictures while we opened our gifts. This is not my most flattering moment, but we had to take this for my family to see me in this oh-so-lovely-redneck-apron thing they sent me. Thanks Kati and mom. Very cute.
Jason got a bunch of cute new clothes from me for Christmas, I couldn't help but spoil him. Last year was tight for us in the gift department for each other, since we had the wedding coming up, so this year we made up for it and had some fun shopping for one another. He got me some yummy perfume, Obsession Night and a beautiful Willow Tree statue of a husband and wife holding eachother. He also got me some clothes from Banana Republic and a CD of Chris Daughtry. Like I said, we spoiled each other.
And this is our Christmas dinner. We got a few questions about what we did for dinner, so we thought we'd take a picture to show you. When we first got to town, we had stopped at the store and picked up some steaks. Jason marinated them in terriyaki and pineapple juice for a few days and then we grilled them up. YUM! He made us a delicious Christmas dinner, probably one of the best I've ever had. We also had potatoes and green beans. Oh, and that would be cream soda in our wine glasses, since I know Kris was probably wondering :-)
This is the view from the hot tub on Christmas night.












