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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas is coming!

Yeah! Time for a new background! 2009 isn't going to last too much longer, so here's some partridges and pear trees!
Its been a very busy week as Christmas is getting closer and closer.
On the 12th, AJ and I headed to Midland for his family's annual Christmas Party. This year, we celebrated at the School for Santa's and even got to meet Santa himself. The school is a non-profit organization where men and women from all over the country come to learn how to be Santas and Mrs. Clauses. They give them tricks on how to get the perfect white beard and a vocal coach comes in to teach them how to do the best "ho, ho, ho's!"
All of the kids got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
While Santa brought a gift for all of the kids, the adults get to do a little white elephant gift exchange. The game gets a little heated as items are stolen and hop around the room. I've even gotten some heat before from stealing something from AJ's grandma! Everyone hopes and prays to not get the notorious reindeer poop that has been a part of the family game for over 20 years. And guess who got it this year......
AJ!!!!!
The gift wrappers were clever and disguised the poop by wrapping two cans of soup with it. I was lucky enough to steal a fifth of Southern Comfort from AJ's 17-year-old cousin!
On the 13th, it was AJ's 24th birthday! We had a big celebration with my family to celebrate a few other family birthdays as well. Katie turned 4 and here she is holding up some presents.
Cleverly, we wrapped up some clothes in a Victoria's Secret box! Of course she didn't get the joke, but the adults had fun with it!
Greg and the birthday boy!
Brenner opening up some gifts.
Little Joey working on his Zoolander faces!
Katie with Great Grandma and Auntie Mary Anne showing off her new computer.
Two little drummer boys!
Birthday girl!

Blowing out the candle and trying some cake.
Christmas isn't complete without making cookies! I met up with my good friend Lindsey to make Christmas cupcakes and sugar cookies. Our cookie decorating skills are a little lacking, but we had a lot of fun trying!
It seems like just when we've caught up with things, another to do list appears! Have a very happy snowy December!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Decorating for Christmas

Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things to do...ever! I didn't imagine that it would take me two days, but all of the hard work and trips up and down the stairs were well worth it. The house looks beautiful and with the snow fall today and what's coming tonight....its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Boxes and boxes and boxes of decorations!

Align Center

This year we have put up three trees, the first is the green/gold tree.

Fudge ornament!
Green and gold tree.
The second tree was a red, black and silver tree.
Decorating the mantel.
AJ's birthday present!!!
Finally, the last tree is our main tree, Burgundy and gold.
Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Happy Days

I must apologize for not posting in awhile, but life has become a little crazier!
WSU Swimming and Diving had one of their biggest meets of the year this past weekend. Several athletes made their qualifying times for the NCAA National Championships, on top of that, many school records were broken!
Also this past weekend, I participated in a craft show up in Davison, much further away than I anticipated! I stayed the weekend with my grandparents and had quite a lot of fun being spoiled! Something about being around grandparents makes me feel like a kid again!
Some big big news.....on my last day in Houston, I was offered a job at the interior design firm I had interned with two summers ago. The opportunity is fantastic and I feel that I will not find anything like it anywhere else. So, in January, I am moving to Houston and starting something new and exciting.
I am really nervous and sad to be leaving Michigan, but I know I will be happy with my job.
As Christmas is getting closer, lights, trees, and big smiles can be found all around. Here are some of the best lights I've seen this year....

I wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season!