Christmas Eve

December 2012

Our Christmas tree complete with Charlie Brown. 

Tree. Presents. Family. Cookies. Penguins. Laughter. Food.

Disney @ Christmas

December 2012

Unfortunately for Bradley he got sick and couldn't use his tickets to Disneyland, however this was quite good fortune for Amy and me. She came and met me at work and we headed off for an evening of fun. We hit up DCA first for a spin in Radiator Springs and then headed over to Disney for the rest of the night. Our evening though cold and too windy for fireworks was lovely.

The Office Christmas Party

December 2012

Marshmallow Toss 

Turkey Carving. Christmas Story. Singing Carols. Hanging Out. Presents. Decor. 

Game Time. 

Cheese.

Turkey Day

November 2012

This year I did something a little different for Thanksgiving. I drove out to Arizona (Tuscon) to visit Charlene. Her mom was kind enough to host me for the weekend and her family welcomed me to their Thanksgiving feast. We had a great time catching up, hanging out, eating, and we even went to see a movie.

Dinner with the family and our outing to In-n-out.

I got to meet this adorable little one.

Hangin with my buddy.

Dawn on the drive home.

On my way through Phoenix I had the pleasure of having breakfast with TK & Wes.

Favorites

I have a few ornaments that I love. Some are new, some are old.... they are all my favorite.

O' Christmas Tree

"Buddy the Elf...

...whats your favorite color?"

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.... it's just like talking, except longer and louder, and you move your voice up and down."

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

Regismas

Friday was our Christmas lunch for the office. 

We enjoyed some good Italian food.

Rocked a gift card exchange. 

(where you can 'steal' a card twice and then it can't exchange hands again)

There is always time for a quick group photo.

Halloween Registrawr Style

Alpha always puts on an awesome event for Halloween!

Thank You Veterans

O Christmas Tree

Rain! Rain and Rain!

We braved the rain to go get our beautiful Christmas tree. It almost didn't happen as it began pouring. Paul and I figured we would just get in and out as quick as possible, open up no more than a few trees and just pick one! We walked two feet inside the Home Depot lot and found ourselves ankle deep in puddles. Hummmm, well there was no going back now, we were already soaked.

Quickly as possible we found ourselves a tree to take home, and made a stop at Albertsons for some groceries. Paul hauled the tree inside while I went to find the stand (we were planning on just having the tree lot do it for us but they didn't have any stands).

  Gizmo being part of the family decided he needed to check out the tree so he found himself alone, locked in our room. There was a Christmas miracle when Paul was able to get the tree into its stand and it wasn't leaning or anything. Finally Gizmo was allowed to come out and fully inspect his first full sized Christmas tree.

Cookie Time @ The Hennings

The girls decorating (very serious business), telling stories, eating and having a good time.

The children played.

The men watched fooseball

My cookies.

Tree Lighting @ Biola

Performances, Carols, The Christmas Story, "Snow", Hot Cider, Friends, Good Times!

2 days before December

One of my favorite times of year, getting all the Christmas letters and photo cards! Some people got an extra early start because we received our first two of the season on Nov. 29th. Looking forward to opening my mailbox everyday this month because there is bound to be a friend inside.

Thanksgiving 2010

I find myself being very nostalgic this morning. On my drive home last night I was thinking about my family Thanksgivings and really missing them. Some may call me crazy but I miss having 2 meals in 2 different counties on the same day. Growing up Thanksgiving was always at our house. Robin, Ron, AP, JB and sometimes Jonathan would all come down. Occasionally I also brought along a "stray" friend if they couldn't go home.

 I always got up early to help with fixing dinner: turkey, bacon steamed green beans, yams with marshmallows on top, mashed potatoes  (with no lumps for JB), stuffing, and pies (pumpkin, pecan and apple). Once the family arrived there would be TD parade and football on the TV, a few rounds of pool in the garage and good conversation. We would also celebrate my Aunts birthday with song and presents as it always falls between a few days before or after TD. After Paul and I tied the knot we hung out in SD and had Thanksgiving with my side of the family and then we would drive up to Alhambra and have Thanksgiving with Paul's side of the family. When Robin got sick and could no longer eat the family meals stopped, I miss them. Hopefully AP and JB will come down again one day to share in our Thanksgiving dinners of old.

One of the best Thanksgivings of my life was in 2005 when Paul and I were flown out to North Carolina to surprise my dad and grandparents. That weekend was amazing, most of it was spent putting together puzzles with my grandparents.

   

Last year and this (yet) I haven't really felt the spirit of the holidays. So much heartache beat me down that I just couldn't amp myself up to celebrate. I am trying to be thankful for the memories and good times from Thanksgivings past. Robin, Ron, Dad and Grandpa -- you are missed.

Boo!

This Halloween was very low key for us. We had a relaxing morning watching football, carving pumpkins and baking seeds. It was Gizmo's first pumpkin carving experience, we think he enjoyed it.

Paul created Grandpa and I carved Animal.  

Yummy!

In the evening we headed up to Alhambra,
we were treated to some delicious pizza.