oh, hello there December 25th

and just like that.  it's over again.  another 365 days to wait for Christmasy goodness.

okay, I know that sounds like I am disappointed...but I am not.  it's just always a little bitter sweet to be the night of Christmas, knowing it's all over for another year...


but we had a great day, 15 people, 2 dogs and 2 cats...it certainly was a full house!

I definitely ate WAY too much, but we also laughed a lot- laughing is cardio, right?

I always pride myself on my present giving...and I think everyone was really excited by the gifts I made or bought them...

like a signed Adventure Time comic for Brother

and candy cane pretzel necklaces for the cousins

and...I got a few pretty awesome things :)

but of course, the best of the day is the family time :)  and our funny face pictures...this has been a tradition for a few years now

and of course, no Christmas night would be complete without a viewing of the Muppet Family Christmas.  watch out for the icy patch!

Merry Christmas to all!  and to all...go to bed ;)

it's Christmas Eve!!

I might be 30, but I still feel like an excited little kid when it comes to Christmas.

and Christmas eve is almost better then Christmas day...I know...that might sound weird...but it's all the excitement that leads up to the day...the traditions we have, and it doesn't seem to fly by quite as fast.


so here are a few photos from the day...


we tried a new recipe...Dr Pepper cookies...

I got all dressed up for my annual visit to church




and we came out to see SNOW!!



made my Christmas Eve lasagna

watched It's a Wonderful Life

and the cats got adventurous

hope you all had a magical Christmas Eve!!!

get some sleep...tomorrow's a big day!

let the celebrating commence!

I am always glad to be able to make it home for the holidays :)  and to get to see as many people as possible...today we went to see my cousin's new house, and it's spectacular view.


wait.


spectacular doesn't even begin to describe it.  but I don't know a word awesome enough to fit it so, spectacular it is.


don't believe me?

check it out.

 unfortunately, I  spent way too much time visiting and chatting and carrying on, to take any pictures of the people who were there.

but here is their basement...looks like a little pub.  crazy awesome.

one celebration down.  one to go :)


Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

Christmas craft shenaningans

most of my holiday shopping this year was done online, through small businesses on Etsy, or at craft shows...but I had a few more things to check off my list, so I ventured out today with my partner in crime, Maureen


we learned a few things today...first of all...don't ever attempt to go to the mall this close to Christmas and expect to find a parking spot...we wasted 40 minutes looking for parking before throwing in the towel...



we learned standing in line in Old Navy for about the same length of time is just as dangerous...I think almost all the items she picked up were while we were waiting in the mile long line to the register...



and finally we tried, and perfected a fun holiday craft...making trays out of peppermints!  the first few came out a little *over cooked*...and we realized that using a cookie sheet that was level was also pretty important...and that making a bowl from the mints did not work as well.

 

 

oh, also, throwing all the mints on ground (still wrapped thankfully) is not the best way to go :p

but we did get a few that came out good...

we followed the instructions found on this blog- 350 degrees for 7ish minutes...on parchment paper :)  

one semester down!

whew!  today I turned in my massive 48-page unit plan for my Art Methods class...and took my final exam for Content Area Reading...no class for 3 weeks is my present for all my hard work :)


I have to say, I wasn't sure I'd make it to this point...it's been a lot of work, and I definitely have felt the exhaustion directly related to it...but it's all good things on the way to getting my certification nailed down...and eventually a Master's degree :)



I unfortunately failed miserably at taking a victory nap today...but I did just lay down for an hour, so at least I gave myself some actual relaxation time.




so now it's just two weeks of school left before winter break.


and it's been one month since Brett has been home.



I need these holidays to get here more than ever this year!



even Eddie agrees...he's been hanging out with me, which NEVER happens...so we know he really misses that guy who lives here too...

happy weekend all!!

Spring Break is here!

there is no doubt that spring break is a necessity for every teacher and every student...we are all just about ready for a little time away from each other :)  I am convinced the feeling is mutual...so this year I wanted to make sure I took time to relax, tried to get some things done around the house, and hopefully have some time to be creative...

first on the agenda was a day of wine drinking with my bestie...what started as a possible three winery tour turned into an entire day...we made friends along the way, and just got to catch up on everything, since we both teach and have no free time :P

the middle of the week was a blur of cleaning and organizing...then we hopped in the car with my brother and made the long drive to South Carolina, to spend a few days with my family and Brett's dad & stepmom...the weather was beautiful and we finally got to have a first meeting of the families...which seems crazy that it took eight years for that to happen...but geography was our biggest challenge...but we had a great time, eating, golfing, playing games...very glad we got to see everyone and that they all met and got along so well!

now it's back to school...one more day off...and the countdown to summer vacation begins!

Easter with Friends :)

this year for Easter we made plans to celebrate with Bonnie & Andy at their house...the first time we spent the holidays with friends instead of family...but I guess they really are more like family after all :)

we had the typical Easter feast fixin's, and some of Andy's traditional Russian dishes...

we drank wine and played board games...

and Brett and Joey had their usual showdown...

a good time was had by all :)

Happy St Patrick's Day!

photo by Robert Hough

takes me back

I was a huge fan of the Muppets when I was growing up, and I still make time, every Christmas season to watch the Muppet Family Christmas, where they all storm into Mrs Bears house, and Miss Piggy braves the snowstorm to be with them by the end...and of course the Fraggles in the basement, the stand up comic snowman and my absolute favorite, the Swedish Chef...

so you can imagine my glee, when I stumbled across this adorable print by Eric Slager...

I need to have this hanging somewhere in my house!  you can find it here!

merry christmas to all, and to all a good night :)

I love love love the holidays at home with my family...and this year was no exception...and to make things even better, Brett joined us for the first time in all our years of dating!  flights to Florida were a bit too expensive, so he opted not to go home, and come with me instead...

I got to see all my friends, watch our traditional movies, paint cookies, cook my Christmas Eve lasagna, and finally get some rest!

can't believe another holiday has come and gone!

home for the holidays

ready for a week of relaxing in New Jersey!!  home, here we come!!

Miracle on 34th Street

34th Street in Hampden is something I've always wanted to see all the years living in Baltimore...so this year, we finally made our way over there, and took some super cute photos to use for our Christmas card...and we got to go with some great friends :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

another holiday season is in full swing!  we made the trip to New Jersey, as usual, and dinner with the family...and cousin photo shoots...ahh traditions :)

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Jar of Love No 37 by Gollybard

Goodbye 2009...Hello 2010!

even though 2009 was a good year...looking forward to 2010!

we're heading down to SC to the new house to spend a few days relaxing and celebrating :)














it's a loooooong drive :)

merry christmas 2009!!

we had a white Christmas!

















me and brother by our tree