Finally Done

We managed to pack in a lot of fun into the 2 weeks that we were in Idaho.  Chris went on his yearly snowboarding trip with his friends, I took a quick trip to Boise with my Mom and sister, we got to see our dearest friends that we miss so much and their sweet new babies, squeezed in family time every chance we got, we played a lot of Laser Tag (I found out I have mad skills and beat Chris every time!  Holla!),  shopped (?) at Pine Ridge Mall and questioned why it is still called a mall,  enjoyed the walnut shrimp that I can't get anywhere else but Chang's, and simply wore ourselves out from all the running around we did that the thought of getting back to Alabama brought us a sense of relief.  We loved every minute of Christmas Break, but boy it sure can take it out of you.  By the time we got back we were exhausted and in much need of a vacation.

But we weren't the only ones that had a blast.  Our two animals got spoiled rotten with attention and love.

And I love that when I couldn't find them and would search and search there was one place that they would end up being........ They loved Elle the Hamster.  While Twinkee thought Elle was the coolest thing she had ever laid eyes on and wanted so badly to play with her

Somebody looks awfully guilty about something.

Marlo saw Elle as a delicious little snack that she couldn't quite get to.  I still believe that Marlo is a lover not a hunter, but Chris thinks otherwise.

Elle maybe small but she sure has grit.  She stood her own and looked danger straight in the eye. 

That's it.  I'm all done.  It's only March now, but I finally managed to finish Christmas Break.  You can't see it, but trust me when I tell you I am crying out of pure happiness right now. Ta ta!

Ringing in a New Year

Our final day of 2011 was spent wonderfully.  We slept in late, took our time getting ready, ate a very late lunch of sushi with my mom, and then as night descended the real party began.  Chris' Mom had a  house full of grand kids and earlier that day we had let her know that we would keep the kids entertained for the evening.  First up on the agenda was saying goodbye to 2011 in style.  Before we had left Alabama we had stocked up on fireworks.... BIG ones... the kind that give off a big BOOM and light up the sky in beautiful colored fountains.  And although the tips of our noses all the way down to our toes were burning from the cold we all had so much fun.  So much fun in fact, that at one point all the kids spontaneously started singing the National Anthem.  I guess fireworks will do that to you. 

After the firework show we all headed back for the next fun activity.  We played BINGO!....... lots and lots of BINGO.  

And then the time came to officially bid farewell to 2011.  Linda provided all the kids with a "noise maker" and poured the sparkling cider and then the countdown began.

After all the little ones were snug in their beds and fast asleep, Chris, Bo, Braden, and I decided to play one last game......  Monopoly.  We started playing around 1:00am and didn't end the game until about 4:30am.  The long day and late hour made us all pretty delirious, which made the game hilarious!

My favorite moment:  When Braden paid Bo rent by handing him a wad of one dollar bills and while he's handing it over he tells Bo that Bo owes him a $1.  I cried I was laughing so hard. 

Chris' favorite moment:  When he somehow talked Bo into paying him to take Bo's properties.  Classic.

This is our first picture taken in 2012.  Just a couple seconds after midnight.

2011 was quite the bumpy ride for Chris and I.  It had a lot of downs and it really wasn't until around the end that we finally found ourselves making the climb back up.  But lessons were learned and for that we are the better.  I can't say we will miss 2011 but it is one that we will most definitely remember. 

Christmas Roundup

We were crazy enough to make the 30 hour drive home again this Christmas.  I always have it in my head that the trip is going to be long and drawn out, which it totally could be, but when you have company as great as I do the trip is easy peasy and actually fun.  It is 30 hours of just me and the Mr. and almost zero interruptions.  The hours can go by fast when they are filled with laughing, reminiscing, day dreaming, junk food eating, reading, playing games, and whatever else we can think of that is limited to the inside of a car.  Take a road trip, we highly recommend them.

Our Christmas vacation was exactly what would be expected, it was filled with the 3 F's.... Family, Fun, and Food.  With our entire family in one town, it blesses us with the opportunity to have not just one Christmas but five Christmas'.  That's right folks..... 5.  I get exhausted just typing that number.  Needless to say our Christmas day is jam packed from the moment we rise to the time our heads hit the pillow at night. 

Christmas #1:

Since we celebrated this one early with my brother it really technically shouldn't count.  But I'm totally gonna be a rebel and count it.  I'm so bad.

Christmas #2:

After church and then a brief intermission at Chris' Mom's house we headed off to my Grandparents house.  Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas for me if I didn't go to my Grandpa and Grandma's.  They were suppose to be out of town, but with some unexpected surgeries they were sadly forced to stay home.  But being the total troopers they are and with the assistance of my aunt and Mom, they still managed to have a whole Christmas dinner and gift exchange.  Even though only a small portion of my family was able to attend we had a blast.  

 Twinkee is seriously the best present opener ever.  A true pro.

 Sisters.

One minute he's throwing me sexy model looks at the dessert table

and then the next minute I find him crashed on the couch.  Aren't they both so cute when they're all tuckered out?  I sure think so.

Christmas #3:

After Chris' power snooze, we found ourselves at Christmas #3.  Chris feels about his Grandma's in much the same way I feel about my Grandparents.  No holiday would be complete without seeing her and all the family who gather there.

We usually arrive just in time for the leftovers to be brought out and while munching on delicious shrimp salad, rolls, dips, homemade caramels, and whatever else may have found its way to the center of the table, we tell stories from the year and once again find laughter from stories of the past.

After everyone has their stomachs stuffed to full capacity once again, the table is cleared and a game of some sort is played.  This year we played dealer choice poker.  I had no idea there were so many poker variations, it was so much fun and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

   
Christmas #4:

Christmas night we found ourselves back at my Mom's to have an intimate little family get together with just the five of us.  It was a very strange thing not having my brother and his family there and although they were dearly missed we made the most of the situation and ended up having a great time.  I mean, how could you not?........  It's Christmas!

Christmas #5:

We had our final Christmas celebration with Chris' family on the 26th.  It was a day filled with so much fun.  We got to go sledding with the nieces and nephews, ate a yummy "Christmas" dinner, had a white elephant gift exchange, and just relaxed and enjoyed being with family.  Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car and when I brought it in to use, the lens was fogged up and I was too nervous to wipe it off in fear that I would scratch it.  So no pictures, I guess you will just have to take my word that it was a very memorable day.

Christmas Countdown

The start of this new year brought with it for me a huge feeling of being overwhelmed.  The next few months are so packed full of personal opportunities and professional obligations that I'm struggling to figure out how it's all going to fit together.  And that's when I slowly inhale then exhale and remember to take it one step and a time.

So, as I work towards marking this blog off my to- do- list I will simply start where I left off.  Enjoy.

Our countdown to Christmas was in full swing.  After the company party we were left with about a week and a half to get the rest of our traditions in before we were set to embark on our journey home.  And then out of nowhere I. GOT. SICK.  It was awful.  The whole week could have been a dud. Except for the one day where Chris forced me to stay in bed, I managed to drag myself around in a haze and slowly cross items from my Christmas to- do- list.  

All the presents were bought and wrapped (a first for us), the cards were sent out, we shopped for our "Angel" and hoped he had as much fun with what we got him as we had finding it for him, we started watching our favorite Christmas movies (the above, shows me crossing two items off my list at once),

we listened to Christmas music nonstop, made delicious Christmas sugar cookies (I warned all who ate them they may be contaminated with my sickness and to eat at their own risk),

visited Bellingrath Gardens to take in all the light displays, 

and had Christmas #1 with my brother and his family since we were both headed in opposite directions of the country for the holidays.  We celebrated with a delicious dinner, a gift exchange, and topped the evening off with another Christmas movie.

Our spirits were high.  With the conclusion of this week we were all set to drive home for 2 full weeks of Christmas fun.