2011, The Last Day

New Year's Eve doesn't fit in the previous week, so I'm posting it by itself. After spending an absolutely gorgeous morning washing and vacuuming our cars and packing my car as much as was possible ahead of time, we all got dressed and attempted to take some family photos, since we were having too much fun to remember to take any on Christmas Eve. After a few pics in front of the rather bare Christmas tree (it was only lights, no ornaments), we drove over to Starr's Mill, one of my favorite spots in Fayetteville, for some outside pics. Since they recently painted the building, the pics turned out so bright and colorful. I was quite pleased! Mom and Dad treated us to a really nice dinner at a local German restaurant - yay, schnitzel! - and then we went home to play games and relax until the ball dropped at midnight. It was a lovely way to end out the year 2011.

2011, Week 52

Ahhh, Christmas... the most wonderful time of the year. This year family started arriving in the wee hours of Christmas eve morning, since we were all gathering at my parents' house. We spent Christmas eve hanging out, enjoying a delicious Italian lunch, and having a bonfire and playing horseshoes in the back area of the yard. The weather was perfect, and we loved being out there. On Christmas morning we opened gifts and loved watching Layton experience the first Christmas where he actually knew somewhat what was happening. More family visited, and we were all quite relaxed and enjoyed one another's company, playing games, watching movies, etc. The rest of the week was more of the same, even after the guests left. Mom and I did some after-Christmas shopping, though we didn't buy much, and we played a LOT of marbles. I was quite sad to see the week coming to an end, though, because that meant the Christmas season was over and my time at home would soon be over.

2011, Week 51

This week started with the LONG drive to Atlanta for Christmas. I had not had a really solid, sleeping-in night's sleep since Thanksgiving, so I was rather tired on the drive and quickly made the decision to stop overnight in Tuscaloosa. Only, when I posted that on facebook, my college roommate Dana invited me to stay with her instead. It was so night to get to see Dana and her husband Chris and to meet her new baby, Emily. The next morning I finished the drive, made it home around 1:00, and mom and I quickly started to work baking sugar cookies for the week ahead. The rest of the week was spent shopping, getting a Christmas pedicure, wrapping presents, playing marbles, cleaning, and cooking to prepare for the influx of extended family heading our way that weekend. It was really nice to spend time with my family in a relatively relaxed environment and enjoy the last few days of the holiday season. 

2011, Week 50

I was SO excited to go to Houston for Joanna's wedding. Jo has been one of my dearest friends for about a decade now, even when we lived half a world apart, and I wouldn't have missed her wedding for the world. She honored me by asking me to sing, and then I spent the two weeks leading up to the wedding struggling with a cold or allergies and having very little voice at all. Ugh, I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to sing or would spoil her wedding by not doing well. But God answers prayers - I made it through the wedding just fine, Joanna was beautiful, she and Philip were so sweet together, and now they're married! I was also happy to stay with my seminary friends Hudson and LeAnn while I was in Houston for the wedding. It was great to catch up with them and get to spend time with their daughter, Micayla. What a cutie! After coming home from Houston, I spent the rest of the week working, packing for my trip home for the holidays, and Christmas shopping with Genny. By the end of the week I was worn out but excited to head to Georgia on Saturday!

2011, Week 49

This week, I was still struggling with a cold, allergies, or something. I had very little voice, and was trying to find time and energy to practice the songs I was preparing for Joanna's wedding. I eventually ended up downloading one of the songs in a lower key because I just couldn't do it. In the midst of all the preparations for my class's midterm exam, I made time for some Christmas festivities. Alissa and I met up to go see the ICE Shrek the Halls exhibit at the Gaylord Texan. Man, that place was incredible! The lights were everywhere, and the ice sculptures were huge and perfect. Wow! And let me tell you, it was COLD in there! We had to wear parkas over our winter coats, and my face was so stiff from the cold. But it was worth it - so much fun!

2011, Week 48

I am SO ready for Christmas! That's what I kept thinking all week long. I know I just had a break at Thanksgiving, but I'm ready for a couple of days off, more time with my family, and all the wonder of my favorite season of the year. So this week I ordered my Christmas cards - can't wait to get them in the mail! - and had my first fire of the season because it was COLD all week long. So cold! And I was still struggling with my cold/cough, so I just wanted to relax and stay in. I had fun taking holiday pictures by the Christmas tree though. My sweet boy is so tolerant, letting me dress him up in various ways. He looked adorable in his little Santa hat. He is looking forward to getting to spend this Christmas with me, his Gammy, and the rest of the family. It's gonna be so much fun! 

2011, Week 47

This week started with the all-important Iron Bowl - Alabama vs. Auburn football at its best. Mom and I did some decorating for Christmas while we waited for the big game to start. I was excited to be able to watch the game with Mamaw again - she's as big of an Alabama fan as I am. Before the game started I made everybody come outside so I could take a few pics of our Roll Tide family. Alvin, Kay, and the boys came over, and Bama won big! It was a great day. :) Sunday I returned home to Texas only to learn that Mom had shared more than I thought while I was at home - she shared her cold with me. Thanks a lot, Mom! The rest of the week I tried to get back into the swing of things at work, finished decorating for Christmas, got my new laptop all set up, and bought a new washer and dryer.