This past weekend was an absolute whirlwind! My little sister and her BF graduated from college. What a proud moment for me. I expected to cry, but I had no idea I would be that proud. Seeing her in her cap & gown made my heart swell with pride I've only felt once in my life. When my BFF/cousin was accepted into her dream school, NYU.
After the early Saturday graduation we headed for lunch at Hyde Park. Brunch menu meant bloody marys, mimosas, bellinis and a liquor bill that was more than our food bill. That night we all headed to our first graduation party of the weekend where we proceeded to hide out in a bedroom watching the Saints game. And what a game it was! We'll take 15 & 1!
The next day was my sister's graduation party. It was quite the shindig lasting from 2 in the afternoon until 3 in the morning. This party was brought to you by sangria, Coronas and passion fruit flavored rum. I can't remember a weekend where I drank so much. I am paying for it today.
This week is Christmas. An occasion where in a family of grown children and no grandkids is getting less and less festive. My parents are aching for grandbabies and my sisters want a niece. Pressure?!?! Our plans are pretty simple and Include adopted family members. Cmas Eve we'll cook a big meal and play games. Cmas we're doing brunch and opening gifts. Later on we'll head to the theater to watch The Blind Side.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas in Chicago
2 posts in one day!
We recently came back from Chicago. Joel's cousin Matt got married. We had the BEST time as we always do when we visit Joel's family. We arrived Thursday morning to the coldest day of the year. My skin was seriously burning after 10 minutes of being outside, but I was completely comfortable. Joel however has officially gone Southern.
We took it easy mostly, doing some last minute shopping and hanging out with Joel's dad. We got to see our GORGEOUS niece. I swear I'm not biased this little girl is the most beautiful baby. And she's so happy! She has the biggest smile and most adorable laugh. AND she can stick her feet in her mouth. Yeah, she's pretty awesome.
That night we went to the rehearsal and then went out to have a few (too many) drinks with Joel's BFF, sister and her BFF. AWESOME night! I am in love with Chicago. I really am. Friday was the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, and, as always, I cried. Mostly just remembering our own nuptials that took place less than 2 months ago. We danced all night. ALL NIGHT. My legs were aching the next day, but it was so worth it. And as tradition we did a late night White Castle visit.
Saturday was by far my favorite day. Joel's brother and sister in law threw a Christmas party since we were in town. We had done grab big gifts, and Meg even through together a White Elephant game. This is where Joel got the Christmas mugs and I got a car cleaning kit! Or course, we switched!
My grab bag gift was awesome. French coffee press, a teapot and $25 GC to Barnes and Noble. If you haven't had coffee from a press I HIGHLY recommend it. Coffee comes out creamy and rich. SO good.
This trip was the shortest trip we've taken up there. But it felt so important. I've always been close to Joel's sister, but this trip sealed the deal! She is SO awesome. I had a blast hanging out with her and serenading each other on the dance floor. She has the most amazing voice. We were SO glad to make her performance with her church's choir on Sunday morning. It was my first church choir experience, and it was so moving.
Leaving Chicago is always EXTREMELY sad. I cry. Joel cries. His mom cries. Living apart from family is the hardest thing, but we're making it work. I'm so glad to have a man that comes from a good family that is full of amazing people. I am so blessed. We are so blessed.
We recently came back from Chicago. Joel's cousin Matt got married. We had the BEST time as we always do when we visit Joel's family. We arrived Thursday morning to the coldest day of the year. My skin was seriously burning after 10 minutes of being outside, but I was completely comfortable. Joel however has officially gone Southern.
We took it easy mostly, doing some last minute shopping and hanging out with Joel's dad. We got to see our GORGEOUS niece. I swear I'm not biased this little girl is the most beautiful baby. And she's so happy! She has the biggest smile and most adorable laugh. AND she can stick her feet in her mouth. Yeah, she's pretty awesome.
That night we went to the rehearsal and then went out to have a few (too many) drinks with Joel's BFF, sister and her BFF. AWESOME night! I am in love with Chicago. I really am. Friday was the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, and, as always, I cried. Mostly just remembering our own nuptials that took place less than 2 months ago. We danced all night. ALL NIGHT. My legs were aching the next day, but it was so worth it. And as tradition we did a late night White Castle visit.
Saturday was by far my favorite day. Joel's brother and sister in law threw a Christmas party since we were in town. We had done grab big gifts, and Meg even through together a White Elephant game. This is where Joel got the Christmas mugs and I got a car cleaning kit! Or course, we switched!
My grab bag gift was awesome. French coffee press, a teapot and $25 GC to Barnes and Noble. If you haven't had coffee from a press I HIGHLY recommend it. Coffee comes out creamy and rich. SO good.
This trip was the shortest trip we've taken up there. But it felt so important. I've always been close to Joel's sister, but this trip sealed the deal! She is SO awesome. I had a blast hanging out with her and serenading each other on the dance floor. She has the most amazing voice. We were SO glad to make her performance with her church's choir on Sunday morning. It was my first church choir experience, and it was so moving.
Leaving Chicago is always EXTREMELY sad. I cry. Joel cries. His mom cries. Living apart from family is the hardest thing, but we're making it work. I'm so glad to have a man that comes from a good family that is full of amazing people. I am so blessed. We are so blessed.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Santa Claus is Coming...
I *heart* this time of year. The weather, wardrobe and wrapping make me giddy! I love the tough decisions of the season: Egg nog or hot chocolate? Sugar or gingerbread cookies? One big present or several stocking stuffers? And my favorite question to ponder: What will this Christmas look like?
Last year's colors were blue and white; a winter wonderland theme. The year before that was a pastel Christmas with the apparent theme of NON-traditional. This year I wanted a mix of modern and traditional. I wanted the colors to stand out and be the theme. This year's colors? Red and silver with touches of green.
Our tree this year was a MAJOR fail. I messed up on measuring from the floor to the ceiling. And even when Joel insisted that we could get a bigger tree I had already fallen in love with this one. I've always liked the skinny ones! This is a pretty awful picture of the tree. It's so hard to get it with the lighting. It's mostly red and silver balls; glittery, shiny and matte with several larger novelty ornaments. We also hung clear beaded garland I intentionally bought for wedding decor, but never used. It looks amazing in real life.
Last year's colors were blue and white; a winter wonderland theme. The year before that was a pastel Christmas with the apparent theme of NON-traditional. This year I wanted a mix of modern and traditional. I wanted the colors to stand out and be the theme. This year's colors? Red and silver with touches of green.
Our tree this year was a MAJOR fail. I messed up on measuring from the floor to the ceiling. And even when Joel insisted that we could get a bigger tree I had already fallen in love with this one. I've always liked the skinny ones! This is a pretty awful picture of the tree. It's so hard to get it with the lighting. It's mostly red and silver balls; glittery, shiny and matte with several larger novelty ornaments. We also hung clear beaded garland I intentionally bought for wedding decor, but never used. It looks amazing in real life.
Here's a closer look at the ornaments and garland.
And, or course, my wrapping paper matches our Christmas color scheme.
This actually looks quite different now. We've added Christmas mugs that Joel got at our Chicago Cmas party, plates and I made a new centerpiece. Which means that the silver tree with tiny red balls goes back to the corner of the bar where I meant it to be all along.
I used these ornament place card holders as more table decor. I scored 4 of these for $4 at Michaels and made little holiday greeting cards to put inside. This missing 4th in the set is in the garbage, since I had an accident and dropped it!
Our stockings this year are from Target. $9.99 each! Can't beat that! I customized them with our names using iron on printer paper. They're hanging off of silver 3M hooks I just stuck to the wall.
We have a few hanging Cmas plates and wall art, but not too much. One of my favorites is a Cmas basket I picked up to put magazines in. I'm still trying to get accustomed to this MUCH smaller place to decorate. Temporary homes are not too much fun. My sister-in-law had her house decorated SO cute. She wrapped all the frames hanging up on her wall, so they looked like presents. Definitely stealing her idea next year!
And, or course, my wrapping paper matches our Christmas color scheme.
This actually looks quite different now. We've added Christmas mugs that Joel got at our Chicago Cmas party, plates and I made a new centerpiece. Which means that the silver tree with tiny red balls goes back to the corner of the bar where I meant it to be all along.
I used these ornament place card holders as more table decor. I scored 4 of these for $4 at Michaels and made little holiday greeting cards to put inside. This missing 4th in the set is in the garbage, since I had an accident and dropped it!
Our stockings this year are from Target. $9.99 each! Can't beat that! I customized them with our names using iron on printer paper. They're hanging off of silver 3M hooks I just stuck to the wall.
We have a few hanging Cmas plates and wall art, but not too much. One of my favorites is a Cmas basket I picked up to put magazines in. I'm still trying to get accustomed to this MUCH smaller place to decorate. Temporary homes are not too much fun. My sister-in-law had her house decorated SO cute. She wrapped all the frames hanging up on her wall, so they looked like presents. Definitely stealing her idea next year!
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