We usually only get to see family once or twice a year so it's been a blessing to have more time this year. Grammy and Grandad came out for Thanksgiving and to go to the Georgia Southern game. They stayed for two weeks! We never get to have them for so long.
Since they've never been to our home at Christmastime, we decided to decorate before they got here. I love it once everything is decorated, but the process is always so stressful and chaotic. The house is a disaster until we're finished.
We put Christmas trees in every room. This is the main tree.
The tree in Baylie's room.
Jalen's tree.
Music room tree.
The music room tree has tatted ornaments on it. Mom used to make a new ornament every year.
I love the elf legs on our tree.
Stockings and fireplace.
We bought this big Santa last year. We decided to leave him inside until after Thanksgiving and leave the Thanksgiving decor on the porch.
Santas. We bought several black Santas last year.
The organ added so much to the music room.
Nativities - this one from Argentina
The Precious Moments nativity from Grammy. She gave each of her kids a piece each year.
David's mom painted this Native American nativity.
Christmas lights in the bathrooms.
New doormats. I've also purchased a couple gnomes, but I didn't have them when Grammy & Grandad were here.
We rented a van for the trip to Georgia so we could all fit in the same car. Check out the mileage! It was basically brand new!
We had originally thought of staying in Savannah, but then realized we could get a beach house in Tybee Island for less. We were right across from the beach. It was perfect!
We got there late at night, but we went to see the beach anyway.
We found a sports bar for dinner. It wasn't that great, but there were lots of games on!
David ordered some horrible sounding thing that had a hamburger, hotdog and bacon on it. Gross!
Tybee Island at night.
The next day, we woke up bright and early. Jalen, David, and I and went to watch the sunrise on the beach.
Jalen missed Tashi.
I love South Carolina beaches with their dunes and grasses.
It was too cloudy to see the sunrise, but it was a beautiful morning.
There were these paintings in a couple different places.
There were some different patterns in the sand. I don't know how they were formed.
Dad joined us. There were lots of warnings about saying off the sand bar, but it was low tide so we were able to walk over the area. There was a patch of dried reeds.
Such a lovely way to start the day.
I love watching Jalen and Grandad together.
I had never seen sand blow on the beach like this before. It was really cool.
I thought these little birds were adorable.
Eventually Baylie and Grammy joined us.
I love my kids.
And I love my parents.
Dad found a great whelk shell. We met a woman who had spent four days trying to find one and dad found one the first day!
Coast Guard copter
In summer, the island is very crowded, but at this time of year, it was fairly deserted. It was nice having it mostly to ourselves.
We found this very strange and creepy house around the corner. Not sure what kind of voodoo they practice there, but something weird is going on.
We loved that Jackson Hole was included on the sign post.
Beach towns are so charismatic.
After everyone got up and got ready, we visited the lighthouse. We'd been there before, but lighthouses are always fascinating.
David and the kids climbed to the top.
There were oranges!
Next we headed to Savannah. We stopped at this cute little shopping street. It was pretty bohemian and I'm pretty sure I even smelled weed.
I loved this sign.
There was a cute shrimp boat on the estuary.
I love the streets of Savannah. It's a beautiful city.
Savannah is a city rich with history. I always like to see Factors Walk and to imagine the goods brought in and out of port. I also can't help but think of the human beings who were also brought in this way.
River Street
Making sweet grass baskets
No trip to Savannah is complete without a visit to River Street Sweets. It is AMAZING!!!
Seriously, check out the candy!
We ran into a couple of the BYU players. They represented themselves and the school very well. One of them (Kody Epps, middle) later had two interceptions in the game!
We also ran in to Gavin Fowler, graduate assistant.
I love the old bricks and doorways in Savannah.
I took this picture for Tiff. Inside joke.
This is the other candy shop in Savannah. Also amazing.
Barge and tug boat
The Waving Girl
Tree lined street in Savannah
The next day, I was the only one that got up early and I went to the beach alone. It was freezing, but so beautiful.
The pier at Tybee Island is BIG!
The pigeons own the place and they don't move.
End of the pier.
The seas were rough.
Under the boardwalk.
A couple found this horseshoe crab shell under the pier, but left it. I brought it home!
We visited
Fort Pulaski and it was definitely worth the stop. When we first got there, some Boy Scouts pointed out that there was a bald eagle and baby on a nest. So cool!
The fort was a stronghold before the Civil War. It was thought to be impregnable.
The drawbridge
The mounds were for munitions storage and sometimes people bunkered down in there as well.
The mortar was mixed with oyster shells.
Again, I'm fascinated by doors.
The prison wasn't able to stand up to the power of rifled canons. The fort was surrendered after only 30 hours.
Sometimes there are gators in the moat. We didn't see any.
Inside the fort.
Dad and I like to read all the signs. It drives everyone else crazy.
Commissary
Chapel
Windows
Barracks
Apothecary
I liked to see the different layers of the wall.
Colonel Charles H. Olmstead's quarters.
Where the surrender was signed.
Gun tracks
Firing Windows
Original painted notes from soldiers
Humor
Inside the compound
The fort was later used as a prisoner of war camp.
Fingerprints of the slaves that made the bricks by hand.
Dog Paw
Original brick work
Under the floor
The cistern
On top of the fort.
Cannon tracks
Cockspur Island Lighthouse
View of the island
Spot of original cannon blast
And then we headed for the game. There were fields and fields of cotton. I had never seen bales of cotton before. Pretty cool.
The drive took longer than planned. But we enjoyed just being together and watching the countryside.
Jefferson
Zach - who is actually Paul's son and a cousin to the Landriths. Paul is Dave's brother. he's an Army Ranger.
After filling ourselves, we jumped on a bus to the game. Our seats were near the top, which was a hard climb for Grammy. 
We couldn't believe it when we realized that Zach and his family were sitting right in front of us. His wife is awesome and their kids are adorable.
It was so fun to see the Cougars take the field.
Nice punt!
Offense
Punt return
Defense
The huddle
Their team played music to start the fourth quarter and our team jammed to it. Loved it!
