2010 Year End Recap Part I

Where has the last month gone?! I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. I took a study break during the month of December thinking I would be more on top of posting but not so much. It was a crazy month for me and blogging just didn't fit into the schedule so I thought I would just do a couple of posts recapping what I've been up to.

We spent Thanksgiving in Kansas with my family. Since it was our year to spend Christmas with AB's family we went ahead and celebrated Christmas with my family while we were there. Here are a few pics of our time in Kansas.

Nonna & Poppa are putting Jude to work blowing leaves

He is worn out from all that work!


Luckily Poppa returned the favor and gave him a ride

Jude really liked the Adirondack chair we got him


At this age they are just as into the box as the toy

He also loved the tunnel Nonna & Poppa got him :)

After we arrived home I put in one more week of studying and took my last exam of 2010. Once it was over I started decorating for Christmas! We try to buy an ornament on every vacation and it is always fun getting them out and reminiscing about all of our trips. This year AB was watching football so I just reminisced with myself but someday I hope to make this a joint effort! I like to hang all of our memorable ornaments on the staircase garland. The following pictures were taken with the hipstamatic camera on my iphone.

Here is our little tree. I like having a little tree because it is low maintenance. I take the ornaments off and store the entire thing, garland and all in the attic. Maybe next year will be the year we spring for a full size, I think I say this every year so we'll see :)

I loved my mantle this year, most of it was new. It's nice to finally start collecting our own stuff instead of using my mom's hand-me-downs, but thanks to my mom I have a good base of decorations!

We started out the first weekend of December co-hosting a baby shower with Brian & Alisha for our friends Matt & Danielle.

The shower was held at Brian and Alisha's home - all of their Christmas decor looked great!

Katie helped me make this banner that says Baby Quinn. Such a cute name for what I'm sure will be a cute little girl!

Katie also made these cupcake toppers, she was able to use the design from the invitation which you can also see in this picture. Polka Dot Design actually had Holiday Baby Shower invitations which worked perfectly for our party!

As we were leaving the shower very late at night in 30 degree weather, this little bit wandered up to us.

Isn't she precious? AB was totally against taking her home with us but I couldn't leave this tiny little one out in the cold. He told me I was to find another home for her ASAP! I had three offers to take her but after spending a couple of days with her I just couldn't give her up. AB miraculously agreed to this, maybe it was his inner Christmas spirit? We named her Phoebe and she is very loving and sweet but she is also CRAZY! AB says he is too old for a kitten and I second that, she is into anything and everything. She also loves scaling things including the back of our couch, entertainment center and curtains! Tavia is not a fan but seems to be very slowly adjusting. Once Phoebe is out of the crazy kitten phase I think they will become fast friends.

More later....