History Lesson

We've been staying pretty busy since returning from AZ. Friday and Saturday we did gift exchanges and dinners with John's family which was nice. Yesterday, however, we decided to do something different and headed into the city to the Constitution Center where they had an exhibit on the First Ladies that I wanted to see. It was the second to the last day so very packed, but we did see a lot of neat things and walked around the rest of the museum which has great stuff for history buffs. We especially enjoyed the bronze statues of our founding fathers creating the Constitution. Here are some pics of the day...









Last night we continuted the history theme and went to see 'Charlie Wilson's War' starring the great Tom Hanks and one of my personal favorites, Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It was definitely a good film and worth checking out.

West Coast Christmas

John and I got home finally at about 2 AM after a long day of traveling. We were delayed a bit in Salt Lake due to the snow but I must give props to Delta Airlines who got us out as quickly as possible.
We had a great time while in AZ, though so I can't complain. Our trip flew by fast but thankfully we will get to see everyone again soon. Below see the week recap in pictures...

While out shopping for the day, John and I stopped at Z-Tejas where I downed a bowl of my favorite tortilla soup and a tasty (but very potent) margarita...

Christmas Eve we went over to Aunt Patti's for her annual dinner and gift exchange party. We had a great time as usual and I was really happy to see everyone all together. Here I am with my cousins, Carly, Lindsey, Nick and Aunt Heather before dinner...


Here John is opening a gift from my Aunt Beth that was a picture of me as a baby wearing a boa and diaper...only. He loved it!

That night we all went back to my parent's house and I fell right to sleep. Here are my siblings and I barely awake on Christmas morning awaiting the opening of gifts! Note my cup of (strong) coffee...

We were given so many nice things. Matt got me a rockin' electric toothbrush, Amy earrings and tights and Dan a great sweat suit. Mom and Dad went overboard on us. John and I both bought each other new watches which was too funny. Here I am modeling mine...

After eating a big, awesome breakfast that my wonderful fiance' made himself, we all got ready to head to my Aunt Sharon's for Christmas Day activities. Not before my Dad asking for one more picture, though!

No Christmas is complete in our family without a great meal and knock-down-drag-out board game playing. This year it was a 20 odd person Catch Phrase marathon. If you don't have this game, definitely look into it. So fun. And of course, what Christmas is complete without a little wine and some lounging! Here John and I are with my parents...

Now it's back to work here in PA. A little hard to get back into the swing of things but I'm sure I'll manage :)

There's No Place Like Home...

Technically, I know that home is here in PA but since I spent so much of my life out in AZ, it holds a special place in my heart. I think we are fortunate enough to get to spend the holidays there this year and definitely look forward to the week long trip as that is the longest I've been able to visit since I left three years ago (next week).

Here are my top 3 favorite things about visiting (in no particular order)...

1) Being able to share with John my personal trips down memory lane from restaurants to shops, my old hang outs, etc. I think it gives him a better understanding of me each time and I love knowing how to get places that he doesn't for once!

2) Getting the chance to see and hang out with good friends. My pal Vanessa and her husband Jared will be relocating to Seattle next month and she is my last close friend left living in Arizona. I'm so looking forward to having dinner with them one last time in our old stomping grounds. We also get to meet Adrienne and Sam for lunch which is another special treat considering they live in Maryland but will also be out west visiting family. Can't wait for Mexican food!

3) My family. I come from a large extended family on both sides but my mom's side has always been very important to me since I spent the majority of my life with them! Christmas Eve dinner at my Aunt Patti's is a great memory and an event I look forward to as I get to see everyone all together, especially extra time spent with my Grandmother who is very special to me. I love that my parents, siblings Matt, Danny and Amy, will all be together on Christmas morning. These types of things are rare as we get older so I will be sure to cherish the time when there.

I'd say the only negative about an AZ Christmas is having to leave our dog Duke at home. He will be spending this time on vacation at the Holiday House Pet Resort in Chalfont. I know he is well looked after there and always jumps right out of the car and into their doors when we drop him off! Still, I'll be missing him...

I'll try to write when away but just in case Happy Holidays everyone!

Amen

I must be getting better at praying because while at church on Sunday morning I prayed for three specific things and they all came true.

1) That I would be able to finish stuffing my wedding invitations, which I got done yesterday after stopping at Michael's ONE MORE TIME for ribbon. Anyone who takes on multiple do-it-yourself wedding projects gets a gold star from me. These were not fun to do but alas, they are ready to be mailed the first week in January.

2) That the Philadelphia Eagles would walk away with a victory against enemies the Dallas Cowboys which they did, in a 10-6 win that even contained the worst game of the year for their quarterback Tony Romo. While I felt bad for feeling like this because Erin and Daniel were at the game (he's a Cowboys fan), I still can't stomach a Dallas victory (sorry E!).

3) That at some point John and I would get a chance to relax and de-stress before traveling this week. Between trying to finish wrapping and buying all his family gifts and work and wedding, etc., it's been a lot for both of us. Yesterday we sat on the couch for a good portion of the day and even took in dinner and a movie Sat. night. It was much needed and made us both feel good.

Honey-Do List

Today has been eventful. I cleaned about as much as one person can since we will be gone for a week starting Wed. John was busy installing three new Pella windows in our guest bedrooms. We had these old 1950s style steel casements. They aren't quite finished being trimmed on the inside but I sure was happy with how much got done today.
Here he is in action and a look at the semi-finished product...

Holiday Humor

My family has sent various joke emails using this website http://www.elfyourself.com/
I think this is something others will find 'holiday' funny so check it out. Upload a pic of yourself or someone you love and watch as they turn into a dancing elf!

Say What

I have recently become obsessed with http://dictionary.com. Lately I have become a not so great speller so this web tool has been a godsend. I also enjoy the Thesaurus section. Anyway, this brings me to my confusion over something. East coast news and radio outlets like to use the word 'wintry' to describe a mix of winter like elements in the forecast such as sleet, rain, ice, snow, what have you. I of course being from Arizona, like to say 'wintERy' but apparently that isn't correct as I've been ostracized for it in social settings. And then there you have it, my precious http://dictionary.com doesn't even have a definition for wintery as they do wintry. Ah well...I'll add that to my list of things I just don't get but have to accept about life out here. It will be right up there with people standing too close to me in checkout lines. Seriously! Back up!

Recap

I had a very productive weekend, all thanks to my list making abilities. That's my only sure fire way of getting things actually accomplished.

We did get a breather to catch a movie. Went into Dolyestown to the indie theatre to see 'Margot at the Wedding' the new film by Noah Baumbach, the director of 'The Squid and the Whale' (a must see). I liked it, it's quirky but those are the ones we flock to! I was anxiously awaiting the Phantom Planet version of 'Our House' but I believe it was only used in the trailers. I'm definitely liking that for a fun, but different first dance tune. We'll see...

YEAH!

Well, my whole day has been made since being able to view the Sex and the City movie trailer online! Check it out: http://movies.aol.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2008/30247/video/trailer-no-1/2033774

I'm very, very excited. I've missed these girls! Just emailed Erin to let her know we will be meeting somewhere, sometime to see the movie together. I was at her house every Sunday night to watch the last season when we both lived in AZ (almost 3 years ago now- wow). I know everyone makes fun of how crazy some women can be over the show, but we had such fond bonding memories over it that I'll never forget. Best of which includes a trip to NYC when we took the SATC tour of all the show sites. It was one of my favorite trips...I have to dig out those pictures!

Question

What are some thoughts on brown and black together? I'm thinking about groomsmen tuxes and having a hard time. Keep in mind that my bridesmaid's are wearing brown...

Holiday Help

I continue to be amazed at how so many of my friends and family really tackle Christmas projects. I know several people that are done buying and wrapping their gifts already! Hello organized! I wish I could be like that this year. Just too much going on in ol' wedding land and I have a hard time coming up with new and exciting present ideas.

I did manage to get out some cards and complete my 2007 holiday mixed cd's (featuring no holiday songs whatsoever) which was a fun project. I hope the people getting them also think so ;)

What are everyone else's creative gift ideas? I'd love to steal some!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Today was a miserable winter-like day. We had icy rain and a little bit of snow. Thank heavens it didn't amount to much but cold, though it meant that after church, breakfast and a visit to Chris and Stacey's new townhouse, that John and I wanted to lounge and watch football the rest of the day. We did, however, make a pit stop to put up and decorate our little fake Christmas tree. Since we will be in Arizona this Christmas we got out the artificial one. Just can't go without it so this is the alternative. We decorated it with care...I meticulously put on the lights as my mother used to when we were little and supervised the ornament placement as John likes to sometimes put them too close together (sorry honey!).
It was a fun way to bring cheer to a dreary day.

Check out our work below...