Holiday Rewind 2: Christmas with the Roehm's

On December 27th we headed across the state to Portage, MI for Christmas with Travis' family.  His brother Tyler was in town from Texas (funny how both the brothers ended up in Texas!) and we have a great time giving gifts, seeing movies, and playing games.

Seeing a tree lit up and stockings on the mantle never gets old... no matter how old WE are!

Trav's mom Kim was VERY excited to get "Peter and the Wolf" on CD.

I got some really pretty silver jewelry from an artisan in Arizona!

Trav and Tyler got these beautiful cutting boards... I think they also came from Arizona?

We got Tyler a crock pot and crock pot cookbook.  We couldn't LIVE without our crockpot in the Winter months!

The kids gifted the parents with a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant in St. Thomas to use when they vacation there this Spring.

Fun stockings filled with treats!

We enjoyed a delicious meal of baked spaghetti with the extended family.

Oh, and Bella was festive as always in a red bow!

 

Trav's family are all Seinfeld buffs so we played their new DVD Scene It Seinfeld game.  I never really watched the show - so I just operated the remote!  : )

Grandma Roehm knitted me these slippers... she knits the BEST slippers!  I need to have her show me how to make them.  So cozy!

It was a lovely time!

Holiday Rewind 1: Christmas with the Eversden's

Look!  I'm FINALLY getting around to posting pictures from Christmas!  Better late than never I suppose!

We spent Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day with my side of the family in Tecumseh.  We had a wonderful time - but missed my brother Will of course - who was stuck in Texas working and couldn't make it home for the holidays.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our trip...

Travis and I on Christmas morning.

My mother was VERY excited about this ornament! (well is is super cute!)

Travis was equally excited about his Vegas guide book.  He's learning all he can in preparation for our trip in May! (apparently Bella wanted in on the action, too!)

My Dad is silly.  He tries to guess EVERY gift and is about 99.9& accurate.  No joke!

Even Bella got a gift or two.  She must have been good this year.

I love me some "Vanilla Bean Noel" from Bath & Body Works!

And I was waaay too excited about my new cooling racks!  Ha!

Mum got a fancy new ipod...

Nothing says "Christmas Morning" like mimosas!

Santa got the boys these silly hats. We made them pose in them with their first beer of the day...

Here we are before dinner...

And afterwards... posing with our Cadbury's selection boxes... an annual tradition!

 

We ate sooo much good food that day!  YUM!  And it was great to spend some relaxing time with my parents.

Stop back tomorrow for "Holiday Rewind 2" - highlights from our Christmas with the Roehm side of the family!

Thankful...

This year, I'm thankful for the simple things in life...

1) My Statistics class being over. (Yes, seriously, this is number one on my list!!!)

2) My incredibly supportive and loving husband. 2009 has been challenging in a lot of ways - I am so very lucky to have him by my side through thick and thin.

3) My equally amazing family and friends. Words can't express how much I love you all - no matter how near or far you may be. I speak to some of you every day and some of you only a few times a year, but you are still important people in my life and I thank you for that.

4) All of the crazy animals in my life (or that have come in and out of my life). They bring me so much comfort and joy... (isn't that a Christmas song?!)

5) My home. We haven't accomplished even half of the home decor/improvement items I started out to in 2009 - but it's ours, and I love it just the same. No matter how messy I let it get!

What are YOU thankful for this Thanksgiving?

My very best wishes to you all this holiday!

Moments...

Travis' parents joined us for dinner at our house on Sunday night. It was the first time they had eaten at our place - EVER! We all enjoyed good conversation and delicious food (good job, Trav!)



Heather, Lily and I did some Christmas shopping today. Lily LOVES to pet the Old Navy dog. Too funny!


I got home from shopping with a couple of baskets to stash blankets and warm weather slippers and socks in in our living room, and no sooner had I taken my coat off when I found this... : )

Happy Wednesday from me and the gang!

End of Summer Shin Dig!

We invited friends and family over to our house this weekend for a little get together to celebrate the end of summer and beginning of fall. It was a cool, dry day and we were able to spend the majority of the day outdoors.

The afternoon started with a little football. Bella was dressed up and ready to support MSU while the boys watched the game downstairs in "the man room"




Then it was time to get the grill fired up! I snapped a couple of photos inside the house before guests arrived - just for fun. We got a new rug and I am kind of in love with it!



Once the party got started there was much socializing...


Food to be eaten...


Bubbles...




Did I mention eating?




And time with the little ones...



It was a wonderful afternoon and evening! Thanks to everyone who came over and spent the day with us - we love you!