What a Time We Had! The Biltmore and NC

I finally got to see and hold my newest grandson, Jonah, but not until Christmas.  He is so-o-o cute and has a lot of personality, and looks a lot like Andrew, don't you think!  I totally enjoyed the holidays with these cute kids and their parents!  Here they are with their funny-looking knit hats that we put together throughout the week.  Christmas was fun and busy with choir practices, missionaries for Christmas breakfast, setting up a trampoline, and my Christmas gift--a trip to the Biltmore Hotel in Asheville, NC.

We traveled about 4 hours away in a beautiful downpour, seeing the country, chatting and playing with Jonah.  Asheville was freezing--but we loved it!  The Biltmore has so much history, and the mansion is elegant and reminds me of Downton Abbey.  The pictures above are Jonah asleep through the 3 hour tour as Maren carried him.  We took pictures in the Stable Restaurant (which used to be the stable) as we enjoyed our very southern lunch which included sweet potato fries, BBQ chicken, pork, collard greens and a good variety of other things.

The Biltmore and grounds when we visited were in the dead of winter, but they're very beautiful.  And what a huge place.  The Vanderbilts employed hundreds of people to keep the place up with many inventions not used by others until about 50 years later.  They also were quite a generous family, planning a Christmas party yearly where they gave gifts to all the workers and their children.  The inside of the mansion is restored and elegantly beautiful, but we weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

This Christmas was a wonderful time for me.  Not only did I love being with the NC Bosleys, but was able to see Grandma and Mike and Jon and Rebecca's family in UT.  I totally missed seeing Ryan and Darice's family this Christmas, but got to celebrate with Brooke and Jake and the girls before I left.  Thanks, everyone, for all the fun and love from all of you.

In addition to all the milestones this year, let me add two more, which I am so pleased about.  Carson and Josh both received the Priesthood and can now pass the sacrament.  What an honor for them.  They both turned 12 within a few weeks of each other.