Merry Christmas!! I wish I had gotten to do more blogging this season (I have had some major technical difficulties). It was truly truly an amazing time. Best ever, in fact! The boys are at such a fun age! I keep saying that, but every year it seems like they just get more and more fun. This year they were all old enough to understand and show their appreciation! I was hoping the whole 'its better to give than receive' thing would be felt too, but they aren't there yet (I'll take what I can get :)).
This year was extra special because, while we usually travel all over Alabama (4 sets of grandparents to see on Christmas day, plus 2 extended family get togethers...not to mention friend, church and school parties), this year we asked everyone to come to our house on Christmas day! I can't believe what a difference that made. It was so sweet and relaxing, and the boys got to stay home and play with their new toys. Something about it made the season less about the toys, though, and more about family. Maybe they are just getting to that age where they are "getting it". All I know is it was a great feeling.




Even though it's not about the gifts, we did get some pretty good ones. Here's just a few:

1.)Tix to see Celtic Woman in April!

2.)Lots of Alabama stuff!

3.)Lots of Nerf stuff!

4.)LOTS of Legos!

5.)And the reason I am able to blog this now...



Happy Holidays!!

Treehouse

A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house

A street house, a neat house
Be sure to wipe your feet house
I not my kind of house at all-
Let's go live in a tree house.

Shel Silverstein

the view from the top

Be careful passing through Crossville, Tennessee, because without knowing it, you might pass by a local wonder! There's not much advertising, but ask any local, and they will tell you it is something to see. For myself, it was a highly spiritual experience, and though it may be rickety, reaching the top is a major accomplishment (not to mention well worth the view). Here's some facts to know:

*It rises 97 feet into the sky and is supported by an 80 foot live white oak, which is 12 feet in diameter at the base. 6 other trees also support it.

*The treehouse has 10 stories, most of which are 9-11 ft. in height.

*The builder's name is Horace Burgess, who says that he built it for everybody. He calls it God's Treehouse, and says that while it is supported by trees, God is its foundation.

*Burgess has been building the structure for 14 years and says he is not done yet.

*Most all of his material has come from recycled pieces of lumber from old barns, garages, and storage sheds. Even the furniture inside is vintage and found (to say the least).

For more info click here and here