Fall time is my favorite time in the whole world! October, November, and December! I could live with those months repeating over and over, taking out the other months. I mean, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas is during fall time! Especially since in Tennessee it doesn't get really cold anymore until January. During this time of the year, God shows us his beauty all around in nature, the leaves are changing and everything is more relaxed and things are slowed down. I couldn't help but go on a walk at least once a week to the local greenway! This image below is a little nook along the trail where the path goes over the water but under the running train tracks so when you walk along, the train sound is deafening above but the turtles are so cute in the pond below!
And just look at those trees! This along with the rolling mountains (hills) makes Tennessee the best state in the U.S. in my opinion!
We also managed to attend the UT vs. Tennessee tech game and had a blast! Morgan and Edgar were there too just 14 rows below us! It was so much fun joining up after half time to watch the rest of the frigid game together! Also right before the game, I took Cody to my Engineering alumni tailgating since it was the homecoming game. I have to say, my first time as an alumni at the homecoming game was so special. All that hard work, all that time spent, all that tuition :/ to sit here and say I am apart of the greatest school. It's great to be a Tennessee Vol! #VFL
We are continuing loving our new church and married bible study class so incredibly much! It really brings us together as a married couple strengthening our marriage every week keeping our focus on the true center and focus, God!
Our church also has different beautiful flowers by the podium every Sunday and most Sundays I just have to go down after service and just gaze at the beauty!
There's nothing I love more in this world than date nights with my hubby! A few weeks ago we went to Red Robin for dinner and man oh man, just look at that magnificent sky! Only God could paint something so amazing! Date nights are such a blessing to be able to re-connect after a long week with the man of my dreams.
By the way you have to try the triple cheese mega grilled cheese at Red Robin. Easily the best thing I have ever tasted in my entire life!
Two weeks ago Cody told me he had an early Christmas present for me! So all week he told me he couldn't tell me but he could tell me what to pack. So Saturday morning rolls around and we leave my Nana's house and I still don't know where we are going. The only hint he gives me is that I had been wanting us to go since we started dating. So the wheels started turning and still I couldn't figure it out. Eventually I saw this Biltmore sign in front of these pretty trees and it clicked! I freaked out and asked if that was it and it was indeed! I have always wanted to go back to Biltmore and especially during Christmas time with the decorations!! I was ecstatic to say the least!! He is so sweet and thoughtful and always thinks of me! I haven't mentioned the Biltmore house in years! So I enjoyed seeing the beautiful scenery through North Carolina at 8am and we finally arrived at the entrance pictured below.
We drove around the seemingly billion acre land to park and walked around the grounds around the mansion/castle, my face full of joy!
We even bought the listening phones to walk around the rooms and hear the back story! Best $13 decision EVER! (I'm a big facts/numbers person if you hadn't already figured that out ;)) And the Biltmore house has like 246 rooms and 76 fireplaces!
Cody insisted taking my picture with the mountains in the background. It was so windy it was actually moving my body *hence my toes being off the ground :)
We then visited the gorgeous gardens! We loved seeing all the different types of flowers that were able to survive the cold weather in the greenhouse!
Another one of Cody's works. He always makes me feel so beautiful and compliments me frequently. Also isn't he like a professional photographer or something?!? I mean this picture!!!!😍
Once inside the house, the amazing-ness began!
This room is 7 stories high and was where the Vanderbilt family ate their 5 course dinner! I would just make it my entire house!💖 After the two hour tour, I enjoyed pretty much just as much, touring around their property drinking warm hot chocolate from the cafe, exploring the toy shops, and Christmas shops. The Christmas atmosphere really put us in the Christmas mood. The temperature was just right being 50 degrees. We ate in this cozy little stable where the Vanderbilt's horses used to stay. The food was so delicious, Cornish hens for Cody and this chilled olive oil cous cous salad with a pimento cheese grilled cheese for me! Pretty good! The whole atmosphere was so cozy, I couldn't help but snuggle up with Cody walking around the "farm" part watching horseshoes being made and rocking in rocking chairs near the store's fireplace with Christmas music in the background. HEAVEN. So incredibly at peace💗
The drive home didn't disappoint! Sunset and red trees make for a fun drive home. Oh and of course with Christmas music!!
Later the next week we celebrated an early Thanksgiving at the assisted living place Cody's grandfather lives. He was so happy to see all of us and we had some decent food and sang and danced! It is so much fun to spend time with family!
Stay tuned for the next post to hear about our Thanksgiving and early Christmas decorating!!
With so much love,
Kayla and Cody Raborn!
12-5-16
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