WHEN: December 22, 2012 - January 1, 2013
WHERE: Iowa
Christmas 2008
Sure, a Christmas post in February is weird and borderline preposterous. But when you have a blog that begins with the word "time", you have permission to stretch it. Am I right?
What I'm trying to say is, I've been
As odd as the thought of Christmas may seem in February, don't most of us wish we could have a little more Christmas in our lives? We build up so much anticipation in the weeks and months leading up to Christmas that come December 26, we're ready to move on to a new year, to spring, to summer, or anything but Christmas. Am I the only one that feels like that?
As misplaced as this post may seem, I thought I'd revisit Christmas once more, before it really slips into the dusty attics of our minds. (Side note, our Christmas decor is still waiting to be placed back into our attic.) Plus, I don't want to gloss over Christmas without any mention of it on my blog. I took very few pictures this year, which I compensated by using more videos in this post. I am also quickly forgetting all that happened WAY back at Christmas (just 6 weeks ago...wow, is that it?). Nevertheless, I will appreciate looking back on this post months and years down the road.
After a bona fide blizzard swept across the Midwest and through Chicago (our layover city), we were left to stay put in Charleston 36 hours longer than planned. With our initial flight scheduled to leave on Thursday evening, we had to re-schedule because of the blizzard in Chicago and did not fly out until Saturday morning.
And how much snow did Chicago get from the blizzard? A mind-boggling 0.2 inches! That's not a typo, folks. A mere dusting cut our Christmas vacation short by a day and a half. To be fair, what shut down the airport was the wintry mix of precipitation, which coincided with wind gusts over 50mph. And those conditions peaked between 5-10pm on Thursday night, the exact hours we were to be in Chicago. On the bright side, I used 1.5 days less vacation time.
Besides, flying out at sunrise was much more beautiful than flying out in the dark!
This is the beautiful scenery of the Charleston Lowcountry at sunrise. A labyrinth of rivers, tidal creeks, and marshes, all draining into Charleston Harbor, defined by locals as "the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean".
And for the full effect, this is the video of us flying over Charleston at sunrise.
This is the beautiful scenery of the Charleston Lowcountry at sunrise. A labyrinth of rivers, tidal creeks, and marshes, all draining into Charleston Harbor, defined by locals as "the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean".
Our first sight of snow, just after sunrise, on the barely-frosted peaks of the Black Mountains, located north of Asheville, North Carolina. I am fairly certain that one of the peaks in the upper right is that of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River.
The snow-covered rolling hills of northern Kentucky, near the Indiana border
The rest of the flight was over a dense layers of clouds, which didn't break until we reached the outer limits of the Chicago suburbs. It's always exciting to see the first glimpse of snow when flying home for Christmas. Flying over Valparaiso, Indiana here (only 50 miles from the airport), the snow cover was apparent. Yet there was only a dusting at the airport, at best.
Video of the snow-covered fields as we broke through the clouds
The Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on a beautiful, crisp December morning
Video of the Chicago skyline on our final descent into Chicago
This was the first time I had flown on Southwest since we have been married (Stacie flew on Southwest for the first time in October). Even though they are marketed as a "discount airline", this was the first time we had found them to be the cheapest, surprisingly.
It was also our first time flying through Chicago-Midway. While it is much smaller, less busy, and less chaotic, I do miss the experience and festive scene of Christmas air travel at the larger airports, like Chicago-O'Hare or Detroit. Running through O'Hare and fighting the holiday crowds to catch a flight may sound stressful, but if the McAllister family did it on Home Alone, I think we can. :)
Flying over Wisconsin on our flight to Minneapolis.
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (French for "foot of the lake"), at the foot of Lake Winnebago.
The town was 65 miles from our plane where I took this picture. It's surprising how far you can see when flying.
The town was 65 miles from our plane where I took this picture. It's surprising how far you can see when flying.
Green Lake, Wisconsin
(30 miles away...it seems so close!)
(30 miles away...it seems so close!)
Interesting snow pattern on the Mississippi River (at Stillwater, MN), created by the strong northwest winds following the blizzard. All the lakes had this same pattern.
Crossing frozen Albert Lea Lake on our drive down to Iowa.
Crossing the Minnesota-Iowa border on I-35, with White Christmas music in the background.
The final hurdle of the beginning of Christmas vacation. It was a beautiful drive, seeing all the snow-covered fields and trees from the blizzard that visited two days before us.
Ava enjoying a Christmas cookie (she's cute enough herself to eat)
Crossing the Minnesota-Iowa border on I-35, with White Christmas music in the background.
The final hurdle of the beginning of Christmas vacation. It was a beautiful drive, seeing all the snow-covered fields and trees from the blizzard that visited two days before us.
Farmstead fronting an Iowa sunset
Home Sweet Home
Always a blessing to return home for Christmas every year
Dropping my mom off at the airport in Des Moines. We were only able to spend a day with her, before she left for Virginia to help out my sister with our family's newest grandchild, Nicholas. We were thankful the blizzard didn't keep us from seeing her at all before she left.
Christmas Eve
Always a blessing to return home for Christmas every year
Brasses, roasting on an open fire
The scene Christmas morning - an explosion of wrapping paper and matching pajamas
Perhaps the most favored Christmas present this year? This little princess is going to have big expectations next Christmas!
Adorable video of Ava enjoying her princess castle (turn up your volume for this one)
Of course we had to continue the annual "siblings on the couch in their pajamas" tradition...
Adorable video of Ava enjoying her princess castle (turn up your volume for this one)
Of course we had to continue the annual "siblings on the couch in their pajamas" tradition...
Christmas morning 2005
Christmas morning 2006
Christmas morning 2007
Christmas morning 2008
Christmas morning 2009
Christmas morning 2010
Christmas morning 2011
Christmas morning 2012
Riley (he been real good!)
Oliver (he sooo good!)
Christmas night photo shoot
We've taken many a Christmas picture in this room, and on this couch, and in front of this Christmas tree.
Christmas 2001
Christmas 2002
Christmas 2003
Christmas 2004
Christmas 2005
Christmas 2006
Christmas 2007
Christmas 2008
Christmas 2009
Christmas 2010
Christmas 2011
Christmas 2012
We've taken many a Christmas picture in this room, and on this couch, and in front of this Christmas tree.
Christmas 2004
Christmas 2011
Candids are my favorite (adding some relevant graphics...even better)
Never boring with the Knapps
One of my highlights from this year...building a mountain of snow for Ava in the backyard and playing with her on it. I think she enjoyed it. :)
Our last picture of 2012, taken outside in the freezing cold on New Year's Eve.
We were holding each other so tightly here because it was (literally) 0° when we took this picture (wind chill was -5° to -10°).
(Yes, I added the snowflakes for effect.)
We were holding each other so tightly here because it was (literally) 0° when we took this picture (wind chill was -5° to -10°).
(Yes, I added the snowflakes for effect.)
And our first picture of 2013, indoors and much warmer by the fire.
The babies kept busy with cartoons while we loaded up the van New Year's morning. I think Carter was honing his "boys will control the remote" role, here.
Sitting in the big boy chair
Glued to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse :)
These kids love them some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
Leaving town and saying goodbye.
No one planned on or said anything about wearing Iowa gear this morning. There's no question where this family's allegiance is. We gave Steph a pass...I think she was wearing Hawkeyes socks. Right, Steph? :)
Goodbye Iowa. Good riddance cold and snow!
The many faces (and temperaments) of little Miss Ava Page. :)
(Our flight to Chicago...for my reference.)
Taking off over Chicago on our flight back to Charleston.
And with that, Christmas was officially over and 2013 was game on. Somehow, Valentine's is next week already. How is that?! Won't be long until 2014 is here. We're looking forward to what God has in store for us these nexttwelve ten-and-a-half months in 2013!
And with that, Christmas was officially over and 2013 was game on. Somehow, Valentine's is next week already. How is that?! Won't be long until 2014 is here. We're looking forward to what God has in store for us these next
1 comments:
How long did it take you upload all of these pics??? :) Love each year progession pics. Your future kids will be so annoyed with you but you will fully document everything! :)
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