We left Rocky Mount on Dec. 18th and had to swing down to Augusta, GA and then over to Atlanta on our way to Chattanooga. This Southern swing was necessary to avoid the big snowstorm that had swept across the country. We were glad to avoid the snowy and icy roads, but we did have plenty of snow later in the 3,400 mile trip. Praise the Lord for 4-wheel trip!
Our first stop was a three-day early Christmas with Kristy and Brian in their cozy place outside of Chattanooga. Kristy had done a marvelous job decorating their home, and Brian helped to make us comfortable for the visit. We didn't mind leaving them on the 22nd, because we knew they were planning to join us the next weekend in the Twin Cities.
From Tennessee we headed north to outrun the next snow storm coming from the West. In Madison we were able to have a delightful Christmas with Chad, Jen and Kirk. We stayed at the Grandstay Suites and found that place to be very comfortable. Here is our crowd on Christmas evening after we returned from an interesting dinner at a unique Japanese restaurant.
On Christmas Day we had the privilege to join Jennifer's family for a wonderful dinner. The time was fun and the ham dinner, with all the trimmings, was incredible.
Then on the 26th we set out, along with the Madison gang, to head for Minnesota. The snow flurries were minimal, after two days of almost continuos snow in Madison, and we reached the St. Paul area just in time to meet Kristy and Brian's plane coming from Atlanta.That evening we enjoyed a truly "magical night" hosted by Greg and Becky at their home among the pines near Stillwater, Minnesota. Everyone in the Cutlan Clan was able to attend except Brad Brask. We surely missed Brad, but everyone savored the special opportunity that we had to be together. We enjoyed the time -- and the food! We don't get to be together much, and we have to seize the moment.
The Brask Family
The Cutlan Family
Here is Connie with her sister Judy and niece, Dana, enjoying the comfort of one of the rooms in the lovely house. Greg and Becky made every possible preparation and it was a memorable time.
Kristy and Brian were able to stay until Monday and we went to the Mall of America before taking them to the airport. After leaving the Twin Cities, we were able to a spend night with Cheryl and Dwight Turbett in their new home in Hillsdale, Wisconsin. Here is the beautiful view that Dwight has in his parsonage study. We loved their place and enjoyed a wonderful dinner that Cheryl prepared for us. And our truck started in the morning...that was a blessing in the cold weather.
From Wisconsin we traveled southward and once again spent our days outrunning a new snowstorm that was following the cold snap enveloping the the whole country. We were able to reach North Carolina by Saturday night so that we could meet Gail and Paul at Sara and Dave's house in Garner. We had a delightful evening with them and then visited their church on Sunday morning. Our visit was capped by a dinner at "Sweet Tomatoes" in Raleigh with the Fosmark and Mincy families, and Doug and Diane Bookman.
Kristy and Brian were able to stay until Monday and we went to the Mall of America before taking them to the airport. After leaving the Twin Cities, we were able to a spend night with Cheryl and Dwight Turbett in their new home in Hillsdale, Wisconsin. Here is the beautiful view that Dwight has in his parsonage study. We loved their place and enjoyed a wonderful dinner that Cheryl prepared for us. And our truck started in the morning...that was a blessing in the cold weather.
From Wisconsin we traveled southward and once again spent our days outrunning a new snowstorm that was following the cold snap enveloping the the whole country. We were able to reach North Carolina by Saturday night so that we could meet Gail and Paul at Sara and Dave's house in Garner. We had a delightful evening with them and then visited their church on Sunday morning. Our visit was capped by a dinner at "Sweet Tomatoes" in Raleigh with the Fosmark and Mincy families, and Doug and Diane Bookman.
