Snow - the most perfect first xmas gift!

Santa was especially gracious to the Degans this Christmas. We traveled to Lake Norman - Mooresville, NC, to spend the holiday with Grandma Bebe, Papa Peter, Uncle Mark and Auntie Dana, and were surprised to learn that snow was forecast for Christmas Day; for the first time in over 60 years, and only the second time in recorded weather history!!! You could feel the giddy excitement in the air. At first it looked as if Swansboro would receive more snow, but luckily (?!) the 'winter storm' (as penned by the weatherman) started dumping frozen precipitation at Lake Norman. What a treat!! Porter got to spend his first Christmas AND see his first snowfall at his Dad's boyhood home. He must have been a very good boy these past 5 months. I think he's asking for an iceberg for his first birthday.

We managed to squeak in a few other fun things during the visit. Like....

Hammering a 1/2 bushel of Pamlico Sound oysters...quickly becoming a favorite annual event

Christmas excitement!

Somebody was good this yearHoliday card shot

Better holiday card shot

I don't know about this Santa guy...

Frame it!
Dogs getting their Christmas gifts
Uncle Mark and Auntie Dana dancing with Porter
Smiles!

SNOW!
Maple & Porter warming up after playing in the snow
Cover shot

Dinner at Uncle Mark & Auntie Dana's...that's alot of food!

After dinner games

Belly bowl that Grandma Bebe made when Jacqui was pregnant

Cast made on July 4th...Porter's supposed 'due date'
Cast made during Jacqui's shower
Brian and Mark made it out on a quail hunt...without Maple...she wasn't too pleased with us, but we had fun. Can't beat watching a bird-dog work in the snow...nice point!

We stopped by Grateful Growers Farm to pick up a little pork and check out their Tamworth pigs...very happy pigs...and very delicious pork. We've been buying fatback from them the past three years to make sausages. This year we also picked up a whole belly for bacon and a pair of jowls for guanciale.




We're off to Black Mountain tomorrow morning to visit with the Cameron's for New Years. I'm sure a few photos will get posted here and on The Bumbling Bushman after our visit. Happy New Years!