Colder than a midget in the frigerator?

Yes, I think that's what she said around 0:25. Sit back, turn up the volume and burn some calories busting a gut. Is she the next Antoine Dodson?

Winter Wedding

This weekend I was reminded of the pleasure of winter weddings. My dear friends Nathan and Michelle chose a date that would not compete with any other prime wedding season events which meant that Will and I could both attend. They even picked a winter holiday weekend so that Will could enjoy more time with me! Even if that meant leaving our brand new house full of unpacked boxes and partially assembled furniture in sunny 75 degree Arizona. Will was thrilled that the reception site had a television with the playoff football games to watch while I was decorating the cake - that's right. My first and last wedding cake. This cake shop is closed for business. But it was a fun experience, the bride was happy (thank goodness) and now I can say "been there, done that." Somehow I failed to get a shot of the actual cake - after all that! I'm sure one will surface soon.

 The tandem bicycle photo op at the reception - clearly, we will never be using one of these as I could barely walk after posing for one picture.

The dip - into the fireplace. Very romantic.

Home for Christmas

Even though I wasn't planning on being home for Christmas this year, it was a wonderful treat to be able to spend the holiday with our family and friends. Will and I spent our first major holiday together and were able to shuttle back and forth between houses to see everyone. We were on the run but still able to relax and enjoy the controlled chaos. We hit up two Christmas eve parties, had dinner with all of his brothers and sisters and won the greatest prize at my family's "Chinese gift exchange." I'm not sure why we still call it the chinese gift exchange - I'm not aware of any of my Chinese friends having clepto tendencies, but we've never been the most politically correct group anyway. But we are a fun bunch, that's for sure. And we're still available to entertain at your family events. We are especially popular at weddings, BBQs and church events that would otherwise cause a snoozefest.

Uncle Jay (dad) is never camera shy

Christmas with Granddaddy and my Va Tech cousins. I'm feeling very outnumbered here

 Will snagged an entire box of fortune cookies at the Chinese gift exchange. How fitting. Let's hope no one steals this magnificent prize.

 

2010

Christmas Eve with the Baskettes. Nina, even after 25 years, my mom can't get all the kids to pose for a decent family picture. Good luck.

2009

Will and I on Christmas Eve. Thanks for the tree prop McKeevers!

Best gift ever. This was a hit for Dad all weekend long.

 And this is my uncle A.C. with his Chinese gift exchange loot. I love my family.

 80's throwback. Again, Nina, just get them in the same room. That's good enough!

Catching up on 2010

With all the hoopla over the last month, I've neglected to share as much with my blogger family. And now 2011 is already here. I have become that pseudo grown up who says things like "where has the time gone?" and "next year we're cutting back on presents." Who is that girl? And why is she living in my body? And who says we have to cut back on presents? Oh the shame.

Before Christmas, David and I planned a brunch with Amy and Barbara - my best friends and mentors from work who ultimately decided that they had enough of working in labor & delivery about six months after I started full time. Huh. Is it me? Fortunately, I still know where they live and force them to have sister share time with me and baby David.

Now that he is on the move and can stand up, he has to be in baby jail...i.e. the playroom

 Sorry bud, even Aunt Lindsey doesn't know how to open these fancy gates. We're both stuck inside.

This is our Christmas card - consider it mailed ;-) Merry Christmas to all my loyal blog followers. May you enjoy another year of blog stalking.

Another free ecard by Smilebox

Sunny and 75 in December...Yes Please

Oh Phoenix, how I adore you. With your hostility toward humidity which keeps my hair in place and your mesmerizing sunsets, I think I will love you for the next three years. Here are the highlights.

 

Making friends with the locals. I'm sure Will was embarrased to take the picture but I could have dressed up like a native american woman. What's more embarrasing?

Free entertainment at Westgate. Our new favorite hangout.

Look who learned how to take a great picture!

Gorgeous sunsets on base

Plane tails at sunset

Home sweet home! We even have a "Charlie Brown" palm tree in the front yard. He's a sad little guy. Maybe he just needs a little new homeowner love.

Stateside in a Week

Boss: "You're moving to Luke [Phoenix, AZ] in December. But don't pack up yet, we are trying to keep you until March. Ok you can go. No, you can't go. Maybe you can go."

Then two weeks of no news whatsoever.

Now, the movers are scheduled for Thursday. As in the day after tomorrow. And a one way flight from Italy to D.C. is booked and paid in full by the United States Air Force. Unbelievable. I really have to catch myself and realize what I'm saying when I say, "Will is coming home next week." For good. He's going to live in America for at least the next three and a half years. We were living in limbo for so long, not knowing for certain whether he would be moving home next week or in the spring for so long, that all of a sudden it's here and it's really happening. It's as if we've been holding our breath for the last month waiting to find out if some higher power was going to revoke the freedom we were so desperately counting on.

We told each other that it didn't really matter when he came back to the states because we would still be long distance until the summer, but I know that he is so excited to watch American television, have pizza delivered and learn how to use cell phones again. And of course I'm thrilled that he will be a much shorter flight away which means more visits this spring without the hassle of customs, immigration and keeping track of a passport.

Ding ding. You are now free to move about the country.