As with many of your own households, our day after Christmas was much more relaxed in agenda. Neither Ken nor I could allow ourselves to unwind and finally fall asleep (does anyone else have that problem on Christmas night?), so being able to sleep in a bit was welcomed. We attended Ken's old church for Sunday Worship and it was once again nice to see so many faces surprised and pleased to see Ken back in town. What a precious church family - so kind and easy to approach. Everyone was so complimentary of the family. Zoe and Gabriel enjoyed sitting with Amanda through worship as she is in charge of changing the big screen with all the announcements, song lyrics, and scripture readings. The children then enjoyed their own Bible study on Jonah during the congregational message.
After church, we headed to the local A&W for an "American" lunch of burgers and fries (and onion rings for the twinkies). They serve this very weird dish known as "Poutine". It is a basket of fries drenched in brownish gravy and sometimes adorned with shredded cheese. It was a dreadful sight to me, but almost every customer was ordering the dish. I was delighted to pass. I forget what small town living is like - we can hardly step outside without an encounter with someone we know, and lunch was no exception. Sitting by the window, our cousin Donna drove in the parking lot and immediately spied us sitting at the booth. It's an enjoyable experience to always have someone to say hello to. Lexington will surely feel so much bigger when we return.
Ken drove us out to an area called Jackpine this afternoon. The pictures I share will tell the story much better than words can describe. Snow-laden trees line the roadway and icy running waters cut through the brush. Hillsides with feet of snow peek out above the tree lines and we all revelled at the thought of a sleigh ride gone wild on such treacherous terrain. Road conditions that Kentuckians would consider impassable are in "great shape" around here - large clumps of packed snow seem to create a polka-dot design on the pavement, and there is rarely a stretch of road completely exposed. I haven't been behind the wheel since I arrived, and I am happy to turn the reigns over to the great white northerner.
Dinner was again enjoyed at the farm. Grandma and Kathy prepared a wonderful baked ham complete with all the "fixins". Ken was in heaven as the pumpkin pie was revealed for dessert. It is such a comfortable place to share a meal and conversation. I must say I love our after-dinner chats where we all enjoy a cup of coffee and share tales back and forth of Kentucky and Canada. Kathy and I enjoyed talking about homeschooling tonight, as I have much to learn about that environment and how it is accomplished. I am constantly amazed at the balance she accomplishes in her home - from learning how to make butter and cheese to educating all seven children - she is so wise and responsible, and it makes me wish our families lived closer to one another. The children are always busy, always having fun - tonight it was time for the Wii. Little John challenged Ken and even beat him in a game of baseball. If you know my competitive husband, this was a defeat not easily accepted, and he is already planning his comeback.
Gabriel loved being a part of the egg gathering tonight. A barn is somewhat of a magical place for him - the cow, the pigs, the chickens - everything is exciting and new. I'm going to try and load a little video of Annabelle (their Jersey cow). She is a wild little thing, full of spit and vinegar. Everyone pitches in to help, and I am impressed at Gabriel's engagement in those activities. Zoe is happy to stay inside and smother baby Matthew with hugs and kisses. She also enjoys spending lots of time with John - they get along quite well and their personalities seem to mesh easily. I can't wait to see her reaction to baby Nathan (Jenn's new baby boy that we will meet on Friday in Vancouver).
The kids were pretty well exhausted so we headed home around 10 and tucked them in for the night. Ken and I stole a little quiet time to enjoy a late night snack of ketchup potato chips - truly sinful, but it's the holidays, eh? :)
We are off to do a little Boxing Day shopping today - I hope to discover a Terrace Christmas ornament that can symbolize our trip. It's a family tradition for us to purchase an ornament that has the name or some symbol of the different places we visit. That way, when we decorate the tree each year, we are reminded of our journeys. This journey will surely be a memorable one.
Love to all,
Tiffaney and family
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