Christmas 2008

So we started out December by buying our first Christmas tree, artificial from Target. It had pinecones on it too. We got a few more ornaments to go with the teal ones we got last year, some white twinkling lights, snowflake stocking holders for our teal stockings, a wreath which I decorated for our front door. A pretty white tree skirt with snowflake beading on it. and some white snowlooking garland. We really like our star we got, but unfortunately it was too heavy for our tree, hence it is kind of crooked.

The only other Christmas stuff prior to Christmas week was my work's Christmas lunch at Maggiano's which was a great time and of course great food! Then I helped out at the Ward's Christmas Party/dinner. We made candy cane reindeer and wrote letter to our ward missionary. Then for Cub scouts we made edible snowmen, did mazes, talked about christmas symbols and stories as well as fav songs. The week before Christmas we went Christmas caroling and had hot cocoa. Everyone had a blast.

Then that friday December 19 at noon, started what was and is still until tomorrow, my Christmas Vacay! I was way excited to have time off from work, very much needed. I didn't have to many exciting things planned. Nathan's brother and sister were coming in from WV that night and staying for the weekend, then just shopping, wrapping gifts, and other stuff. They arrived around 10:30 in the evening safely. The next day was full of stuff. We went to breakfast at Boychik's deli. Normally it's a great place to go, but with a grouchy waitress who was impatient, to discovering a hair in Nathan's food, we were quickly ready to move on with our day. Poor Nathan always finds a hair in his food when we go places, and sadly to say sometimes when I make dinner there is one in there too, though I try my hardest to make sure it doesn't happen. Then it was off to do a little sight seeing. They haven't seen Short Pump in awhile, so we gave a tour of the newly added things, then a brief stop at circuit city and off to Williamsburg. We went to the outlets, Jess's first time and not too busy for the weekend before Christmas (probably do to the economy). Then we ate at the ever so famous Captain George's. Man was it some good eatin', expensive, but well worth it. We finished off the evening back near home at the bowling alley. Then took some pictures and exchanged some gifts. Then they got up early the next morning and headed home to beat the snowy weather. Wish we had some. So then I started planning some things for the week ahead.

First, for our little Sophie, i took her to the Vet on Monday morning and she got her teeth cleaned and got spayed. What a Christmas present to her!!! I picked her up later that evening and she just slept for a day and a half. Poor little thing. But she is up and bouncing around again.

I visited the gym almost everyday it was open but Sunday. I tried out a class I've been wanting to do that is only offered in the mornings during the week when I am normally working, (Awesome Abs) whoah buddy did I feel my abs the next day! But it was fun. Christmas Eve was spent wrapping presents, which may I say is my fav!!!! I made fudge this year and it was yummy. Chocolate-Oreo and also Peanut Butter-Chocolate. Christmas day was spent at our house unwrapping gifts and getting ready for my family's christmas dinner and gift exchange with my aunt, uncle and cousin too. Always promises to be a fun time. Sophie even enjoyed it as she was passed around and given food from everyone's plate. What a mooch.

Of course there was a little after Christmas shopping and some bowling fun again, and now it is Sunday and I have to go back to work tomorrow for two and a half days before New Year's vacay!!! Sorry such a long post, but it was a busy time.

I should be an interior decorator

So I promised photos of my newly renovated master bathroom that Nathan wanted to have finished in time for our anniversary, but didn't quite make it on time. Well it is done, minus a few little homelike touches, like putting up pictures and such. Anyways...so while I didn't do any of the hard work to get it to look the way it does, I was the brains behind it all. My job was to pick out the paint color, the tile, which I picked a main tile that was a light tint of green marbled with cream colors. then I made it a little harder with green accent tiles that weren't the same height. Since my dad does all kinds of remodeling, Nathan and my dad went to work on the floor as a collaboration. Nathan did all the painting and replacing of old crappy sink faucets, towel rod, and wood trim. We all make a great team! I really wish I had some before pictures to compare it to. All the hard work is complete and luckily I picked colors that went with the bathroom accessories we already had (shower curtain, floor mat, toilet cover and towels)! So I 'm not sure if you agree or not, but I really should be an interior decorator.

So here you can see some of the tile and the pretty green paint., great improvement from the nasty yellow-brown color and linoleum floor.

Here's just showing the shower curtain with the new pretty paint!

A close up on the tile. see the pretty accent tile bringing out the green and tying it all together.

A look at the vanity, should have probably cleaned up a little before snapping this photo.

We have matching his and her sinks with new pretty brushed nickel faucets! we have a stand alone toilet paper holder, trash can towel rod, all in brushed nickel. It just looks so much better than cheap stock accessories.

So what do you think? Interior Decorator in the future????