Weekend Get-Away in the Georgia Mountains

-aka- "I'm the one who wants to be with you"

We spent the weekend in the mountains near Ellijay, GA with our friends Ryan and Laura. While we were looking forward to a few days of kicking back and relaxing, we didn't expect coming home with our tummies sore- both from laughing way too hard and from eating way too much! We arrived at the cabin on Friday evening, after battling ATL traffic for a while and after a nerve-wracking trip through the creek (will we make it without getting stuck???).

It was pretty cold and we couldn't wait to get the hot tub warm enough to get in (the water was 61 when we arrived). Since it seemed to only warm up at a rate of about 5 degrees per hour, Ryan and Bobby began boiling water on the stove (see picture) and pouring gallon after gallon of hot water into the hot tub, until it eventually overflowed. But they succeeded: by the time we finished a delicious dinner of lasagne, cheesecake, and Cabernet, the hot tub was a wopping 90 degrees. Fearing that this temp might not feel hot enough, we were bribed (or peer-pressured) by Bobby, to take a dip in the freezing cold creek first. (I did not know that Ryan could get his voice to high pitches like that:-)) After running up the 50 or so steps, we jumped into the hot tub and relaxed. Saturday brought a lot more tub-time, food, and relaxation, along with a short hike to a very pretty waterfall. We ended Saturday evening by playing and singing and (pole) dancing to 80s rock, complete with rather horrific harmonizing, air guitar and remote-microphones. I hadn't laughed this hard in a long time. We can't wait to go again. Anyone brave enough to join us???

This is the creekside view of the cabin. The hot tub is on the lower porch- the railing marks the course of the stairs I mentioned we ran up after our dip in the creek!

JONAH

Hiding unter our table is one of his favorite things to do- he can just stand up without hitting his head. His favorite place in our house, though:
Inside our Tupperware cabinet in the kitchen. I clean it up at least 3 times a day, all though the average is closer to 5 times a day.

This is a cherished toy in the Dettmann-Conaway lineage. My brother got a top like this one when he was just barely 2, and it was his favorite Christmas gift then. He gave this one to Philipp, when he was a little over 1 and he loved watching the train go round and round inside it. We then gave one to our nephew Case for his 1st birthday- also a favorite of his, and now Jonah enjoys it very mcuh as well. Great gift, Uncle Ulli!!!

Mackenzie and Jonah on MLK at Billy and Kelly's house: Philipp and his new cousin, Callie:

Welcome to the World, Callie-Gray!

Philipp, Jonah, Diane w/Callie, Mackenzie and Case-

all the little Conaway Grandchildren!

Weihnachtsbesuch aus Deutschland!

Christmas Carroling bei meinen Schwiegereltern. Bobby und Judith hacken im Duett auf dem Fluegel!

Judith und Jonah am Weihnachtsmorgen. Philipp hat uns alle um halb 7 geweckt. Ist wohl auch zu viel verlangt, ausschlafen zu duerfen, wenn im WOhnzimmer so viele Geschenke unterm Baum liegen. Er war so suess und konnte es kaum erwarten. Jonah hat das alles weniger interessiert- sein lieblingsgeschenk: eine Zahnbuerste!

Christmas Morning: Jonah's favorite present is a toothbrush from his stocking. He and my sister snuggle on the couch while whirlwind Philipp hands out presents!

Traditioneller Weihnachtsspaziergang. Trotz Regen, denn an Weihnachten hatte der Golfplatz geschlossen, und wir konnten in aller Ruhe dort spazieren!

Philipp uebt auf seinen neuen Rollerblades am regnerischen Weihnachtstag. Es klappt uebrigends jetzt schon viel, viel besser!!! Er macht es richtig toll und bald werden wir wohl gemeinsam unsere Runden drehen koennen!

Philipp got brand new rollerblades for Christmas. He practised that very day. It was a bit of a mess and I was worried he might brake something, but he is doing much better now. He is quite the star on them and I can't wait to take him around the neighborhood!

Cutest Santa Ever!!!