Christmas in Asheville

When I was a teenager, Mom and Dad sat Reese and me down to break the news that in lieu of big Christmas presents, our gift from them would be to travel to a really cool place every other year.  We have gone to Santa Fe, NM numerous times (skiing!), as well as Italy, Charleston, Callaway Gardens and Asheville this year.  It is hard to beat the gift of time together and memories.  

Thank you, Mom and Dad for making this one of my favorite family traditions and for making this year one of the most memorable Christmases ever.

 A few of my favorite parts of the trip:

Puddling jumping was the highlight of the tour of the Biltmore for the kids.  Especially since Cora had her new pink, fur topped boots from Santa.  The highlight for the adults was all of us being shocked that Cora stole my mom's audiotour headset and listened to the whole two hour tour... and we also enjoyed the wine tasting of course.

After the pink boots, Cora's second favorite gift was her Nutcracker.  Allen loves to "make it bite" and antagonize Cora in every imaginable way when she is pretending to be Clara. 

Allen loved this chinese toy.  I have no idea what it is called but remember getting them in my own stocking.  He is into chasing people and sticks when he is not playing with trains, which is what Allen does 99% of the time.

Train gingerbread house centerpiece, created by Allen and Cora with Mom's help.

Encounter with a creepy Reindeer at the Grove Park Inn.  Cora did not know what to think and was actually speechless for once.

  

Saw hundreds of gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn.  This one, not surprisingly, was Cora's favorite.

This pic pretty much captures my relationship with Cora.

Cora in her snowsuit and the infamous pink boots.

Watching the Royal Ballet on Daddy's phone.  Again.  The music is still in my head.

ok this pic is not from our trip but I love it!