The farmhouse

Lindsey's grandparents have a farmhouse in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We made the trip there in late summer to visit with her family and had a great time.

Lindsey's papaw Albertson took us on a tour of the farm in a wagon pulled by his trusty tractor. The mountain in the distance is called Buffalo Mountain.

This is the attic at the farmhouse. Her grandparents are known for not throwing anything away. We found some interesting stuff up there.

The farmhouse is also said to look about like it did 30 or so years ago. There's lots of old stuff there, like this stove.

Hangin' out on the gazebo.

Besides the farmhouse, they also built this cabin on the property. We didn't stay there as it doesn't have electricity, running water, or any of the conveniences of the farmhouse, but it's still pretty neat.

Among the old stuff at the farmhouse are lots of old hats and some glasses. Lindsey and I are modeling some of them here.

We took a little drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and then hiked a bit.

And had a picnic.

The nearby town of Floyd, VA is known for their weekly jamboree on Friday nights. On one little street, there were around 10 different groups of bluegrass musicians pickin' away.

Mabry Mill is one of the interesting attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fall fun

We went to the Gaslight Festival in J-town and I wasn't that impressed (like an overgrown Hoedown Day for you Breck Countians). But the "balloon glow" was pretty cool.

My car got rear-ended by a parked van which was struck by a speeding car in late September. Took until Thanksgiving to get it repaired. My parents were very kind to loan us a vehicle while it was being worked on.

Went to pick pumpkins with our friends Jeremiah and Lauren at Huber's Farm in Indiana.

Carved our pumpkins with our friends Cameron and Cara.

Thanksgiving at the Spencers'

Cousin Chad, sister-in-law Becky, and brother Kyle at the bar. Grown-ups at the grown-up table behind them.


My mom cutting the pumpkin pie. I hate pumpkin pie. Fortunately there's lots of other goodies to be had.


My Mattingly grandparents at the dinner table.


Grandpa Spencer.


My grandmothers.

Christmas . . .

. . . at the Albertsons' in North Carolina. We went down to celebrate with them the week before Christmas. This year I made the annual Albertson family Christmas photo.
It is one of Lindsey and her sister Stacy's traditions to rearrange their grandparents' NOEL letters to spell LEON.
. . . at the Spencers'. Grazing around the desserts.
My brother, mom, and grandpa opening gifts.
When do you outgrow stockings?