357 Oh the Irony

This evening, we cuddled up and drank hot chocolate by the fire.

Sort of.

Thanks to Netflix, we got to watch the crackling yule log for the fire ambiance.

The funny thing is, we actually have a fireplace.

But unfortunately, the only place we could put our tv was right in front of it.

355 Is it Wrong to Have a Favorite!?

We got what I think is my favorite Christmas card ever today. 

Now, we get a lot cards from dear family and friends whom we love. They are all fabulous and special to me. (Seriously, I LOVE Christmas cards.)

But I love this one because I took the picture. (I love this family too!) Actually, I was beyond thrilled to receive several cards this year with photos I took on them. It was a very special feeling.

But as a wannabe graphic designer/photographer, I love how this one came together. The photo, the font, the paper even. I reminded me of some vintage-y cool magazine. If only this photo did it justice.

I was really proud to be involved in it!

But I really love everyone's cards...just so you know.

Please keep sending them to me. :)

352 Tree is Up!

We finally got a Christmas tree up today!!

We were nervous about putting up our tree because it is pretty wide and our apartment is pretty tiny. We discussed buying a thinner one, but I really didn't want to spend a ton knowing that after Christmas, they would probably be dirt cheap.

We decided to check them out at Target anyway. Much to our surprise we found this little guy. It was only about sis inches shorter than the tree we had wanted, but was $100 less!! 

We had to buy lights for it, but with the tree being 30% off, we paid a whopping $18 for it!! We didn't feel so bad about having to buy the lights.

We had a great time decorating this evening, and are so excited that it is feeling more like Christmas now!

351 Getting Caught Up

Tonight, I got our Christmas cards addressed and stuffed.

Whew!!

342 White Christmas

I don't think I ever want a white Christmas. I'm much happier in shorts. I am sad to not be able to decorate for Christmas right now, hopefully I can get some decorations up once we move.

I wanted some sort of Christmas cheer though, so the girls and I whipped some of these little jars up today. I saw the idea on pinterest. They were really fun and easy to make!

And, they may be the only Christmas trees we have this year!

327 Giving Thanks

Today we were able to sit down and enjoy a meal with both my side of the family, and the LT's. It was great being at my mom's and visiting with cousins. It was a small gathering, but I love my family and have much to be thankful for.

306 Glow Show

The girls are having fun with their left-over glow sticks.

Tonight they put on a dance show for me.

305 Happy Halloween!!

From my scuba diver entangled in a jellyfish and some delicious cotton candy!

304 Sometimes it Feels Like...

...somebody's watching me!!

My lame attempt at decorating for tomorrow's holiday.

297 Boo!

Inspired by some photos I'd seen floating around the internet, we decided to "Boo!" some friends in the neighborhood. The theory is to leave some Halloween surprises at someones door, and "ding-dong-ditch" them so it's a surprise. We baked cupcakes and put together little buckets. The girls were really excited to deliver them. We decided not to leave them at the door because, I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly willing to eat things that I don't know the origin of. It was fun too because we got to see the joy in the little kiddos faces when they saw their goodies. We really do love our friends here on post!!

278 It's Getting Scary Around Here!

We went on a walk tonight and were amazed at how many people have decorated for Halloween! People really go all out here. This house doesn't seem that exciting, except for the fact that the eyes on the skeleton head spin around wildly!! I'm so glad Bean isn't as easily frightened anymore because she'd be hiding her head every time we drove anywhere!

147 Memorial

We did what your typical family does over Memorial Day weekend: visited a cemetery.

Ok, I realize a lot of families do this.

We needed to get out of Columbus, so we made the long haul up to Atlanta and checked out historic Oakland Cemetery.

The cemetery opened in 1850 and is the oldest one in Atlanta.

Many notable Georgia residents have been interred there, including former politicians, Bobby Jones, and Margaret Mitchell.  

There were many confederate soldiers as well. We all enjoyed looking at the monuments and the wild names that people used to have (Guliford?) Also, we learned that Ida and Fanny were super popular in the late 1800's/early 1900's.

Even though the soldiers here fought for the Confederacy, it was still heartbreaking to see how young they were. These boys were sons, fathers, husbands. Many of them had no idea what they were fighting for and had little choice but to fight.

I am thankful for our ability now to choose what we want to stand for. These graves were a sad reminder of that cost.

99 Happy Easter!!

45 There's No Place Like Home

Happy birthday Arizona!!

It's been a crazy 100 years and I am proud to call you home!!

(and since I am not there to take a photo of AZ today, I am leaving you with this one of miss Bean, celebrating that other holiday today)

44 Loved

I found these in the mailbox today.

SEVEN Valentine cards!

(Six were for the girls)

We sure are loved!!

5 A two-fer

 Before we left, our Christmas card wreath was looking pretty thin.

Today I got all the cards that collected in our absence up and it looks so full and happy!

4 1,447

How many hours of sorting, editing and blogging do 1,447 photos calculate into?