Our First Christmas in Kentucky

Well, it's been quite a while since my last post, and I apologize for that.  So much has happened since then that I decided to share it all with you through the use of pictures and captions.  I hope that you all enjoy this picture journey of our first Christmas in Kentucky.  God has truly blessed us this year, and for this we are truly grateful.

Our Trip to the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky

This past Saturday we went to the Creation Museum in Northern, Kentucky.  We had an amazing time!

The gardens at the Creation Museum were all lit up and decorated for Christmas, it was quite an experience.

The Museum's beautiful like reflected the Christmas lights along the garden path.  

Of course we ate too.  We had some delicious pizza at one of the cafes in the Museum.

Our Road Trip to The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee

Here we are excited to get on the road.  I think I look a little scared, I have some crazy faces that I make. 

All along the highway in Kentucky were these amazing icicles clinging to the limestone cliffs.  

For breakfast we split a meal at Cracker Barrel in Lexington, Kentucky.  Umm...it was so good!

We visited the Tennessee welcome center as soon as we crossed the State line.

The gas prices over here are amazing.  I feel so sorry for my poor California friends and family. :) 

Our Cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee (Dolly Parton's hometown.)

Our cozy little living room and fireplace. 

The Kitchen.  I was so excited to cook in a full size kitchen it was so nice.  

A view of the downstairs looking down from the loft.

Our first dinner in the cabin. . . chili and cornbread.  

The view outside of our cabin window. 

Matt barbecuing on our cabin porch for Christmas dinner. 

The humungous Christmas steak that was given to us by one of the church members.  It was so good!

Our Christmas Trip to Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountain National Forrest

A 200-year-old log home at the park.

Matt inspecting the clay mortar on the fireplace of the log home. 

Matt behind the pulpit of the Primitive Baptist Church at the park.

The little Primitive Baptist Church.

Matt behind the pulpit of the Missionary Baptist Church.

One of the many bucks that we saw while visiting the park.

Ahhh. . . the rustic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Our 5-mile Christmas Hike to Abram's Falls begins.

Crossing Abram's River on a rugged log bridge constructed by the CCC.

Here we are half way through our hike with the river fork in the background.

Were almost there, I'm thinking about taking the "easy" way down. :) 

Just a few more feet. . . but wait, Matt has discovered a natural water slide. 

Were so happy to have made it to Abram Falls!

Matt considers going for a dive. . . but then he changed his mind. :) 

Being this close to the waterfall I could feel the power of the rushing water.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

My amazing husband loading the dishwasher before we headed back home.

I enjoyed sitting on our cabin's front porch for the last time.

And. . . Matt locked the cabin door as we headed home to Louisville. 

Look what Louisville Had for Us!

When we got home, we were so happy to see all the snow, it was only a day late, but that's okay.

The campus is so beautiful here whether it is green or white. 

I hope you all enjoyed our little photo journal of our first Christmas over here in Kentucky.  The most special thing about this Christmas is how Christ centered many things are over here.  We enjoyed many different Christmas nativity dramas as well and many Nativity Christmas decorations adorning the lawns of homes around town.  During this special time of year, it is great to be reminded every where you look of the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.