Ready for the Holidays

This year it feels like I am ready for the holidays even earlier than usual. That's probably because: 1. We were so frugal this summer on one income that we really didn't do much 2. This summer was so stinkin' hot that I'll take any kind of relief from the heat.

I can't wait for...

Fakesgiving with friends

Thanksgiving with Family

Celebrating my birthday

Eating tons of food

Listening to Papa Frank read the Christmas story

Christmas Ornaments

New Year's Eve

I also can't wait for Christmas music (I'm already listening), decorating the house, drinking warm tasty beverages in red cups from Starbucks, Christmas shopping, baking, and sending Christmas cards! What are y'all looking forward to?

Halloween Weekend

We decided to head up to Atlanta for Halloween Saturday at the last minute to visit the Hubs's best friend and his wife (Stephen & Amanda) who are expecting a little one in December. Most of the visit was pretty regular, staying up late chatting and catching up and making the requisite trek to Ikea and Trader Joe's for treats. I love me some Two Buck Chuck...If we only had one in Augusta!!!

We also ended up at a pretty fun Halloween party Saturday night. Stephen's old band was playing together while everyone was in town and there was even a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Zombieland.

Amanda and I with my favorite costumes of the night, the Yip Yips from Sesame Street!

Me (sans fancy costume) and Amanda (pot bellied piggie)

Amanda and Stephen.

The coolest part of the night was the 'coffin buffet' for all the food. Mr. Skeleton consisted of: rice krispy skull with frosting, french bread arms and legs, cheesecake, chilli and dips for organs, and nuts! All surrounded by chips and cupcakes on the outside.

I'm so glad that November is finally here, honestly that was my first thought this morning. The weather is cooling off and the holidays are right around the corner. Can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Sorry for the belated post. There is much to come on Christmas soon, too! In the meantime, please enjoy a few photos from my birthday in St. Augustine, Florida.

I love that place. I swear, I could move down there in a heartbeat.

New Ornaments

I just couldn't help but add a few more ornaments to our collection this year. Especially since it is our First Married Christmas. Here is the 'M' near the top of our tree:

I was more than happy to change my name when I got married earlier this year. I do have to admit that I was glad our last initials were the same, since I have a few things embroidered or monogrammed with 'M'. Here's one of my favorites, a jingle bell snowflake:

Sparkly Snowflakes are always fabulous!

Tis the Season!

Last night was our office Christmas party at the boss's house. We have a great office and everyone gets along for the most part, so it was pretty fun!

Here's me and two of my work girls:

I hope everyone else is having fun celebrating the Christmas season!

Fakesgiving 2009

So, I know I'm way behind and Fakesgiving actually happened weeks ago, but I'm sure y'all want to see how it turned out, right?12 of our friends came from all over (everyone was from out of town but 1, and we even had 2 international guests this year!) and it was a blast!

Kelly's Hubby, Eliot and their puppy dog Mims in her Christmas sweater (E is Scottish!)

Kelly and Mims in her doggy jacket

Thorben and Twyla (He's from Germany!)

Kelly's delicious cheese ball:

Turkey and Mashed Potatoes, my favorite!

Me and the BFF, Andy who is a fantastic cook!

Me and Miss Twy -totally related :-)

Mrs. Mikell and Mrs. Meikle (we're convince that we're Scottish cousins b/c of our husbands' roots!)

The dessert table halfway through the night

(nevermind the papa johns box in the corner-one of the boys who don't cook brought cinnastix!):

Andy brought delicious treats! Red Velvet Cake and Pralines!

The end of the evening was spent around the bonfire with glasses of wine and good conversation:

Favorite Ornaments

This week has been cold and busy, hence the lack of blog posts. If I'm not working, getting ready for Christmas vacation or wrapping Christmas presents, I'm trying to stay warm. I really don't remember it being this cold so early last year. I thought since I didn't have time for a huge post I'd share a few of my favorite Christmas ornaments. We used to have a 'Statesboro Blues' tree when we first started dating. It was completely blue and white, as a nod to Statesboro and our alma matter, Georgia Southern. Since we've been together, we have started collecting ornaments and receiving them as gifts. I've even started creating some of my own. Hopefully our collection will get even bigger and better. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is pulling out the ornaments and putting them on the tree, it's like they are new every year!

The engagement ornament Matt's mom got us last year.

I painted this one for our first 'married' Christmas. It has our last name on one side and wedding date on the other.

This one is a tiny piggy bank, which I got Matt for his first year in accounting. I thought it was cute, even though his job has nothing to do with 'counting' or change.

This one is from my best friend, TW and I love it because it looks lovely and old-school.

What are your favorite Christmas ornaments?

Christmas in Augusta

Christmas time is here, so I thought I'd share a few photos of downtown Augusta with y'all. Especially since I missed Wordless Wednesday this week!

It has been crazybusy lately and I can't wait for Christmas break. I thoroughly plan on enjoying it by visiting with family, reading a ton, partaking in Christmas cocktails and basically relaxing.

Fra-gee-lay!

I love the movie A Christmas Story...

'It's a major award!...Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian!'

'Uh, I think it says "Fragile", dear.

'Oh Yeah.'

Here is my office door decorated for Christmas! We're having a decorating contest and I'm in it to win it. I spent 3 hours putting this together last night. I didn't think it would take that long until I started on the fishnet hose...Either way, I'm really excited about the way it turned out.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Here's a quick look at our Christmas Tree. It needs a little bit more work, but I'm so glad it is up finally. It means Christmas is really here!

One of the ornaments I hand painted this year-a South Carolina Palmetto and Crescent Moon. I love my state!

Thankful

This year I have many blessings to be thankful for:

Marrying my best friend this year!

A great family.

My new family that has welcomed me with open arms.

The Best friends a girl could ask for!

My cameras, so that I can photograph weddings and catch snapshots of all of our friends and adventures!

Always having more than enough food on the table.

Living in the South and getting to enjoy beautiful weather for the better part of the year.

The ability to be able to travel with my family and friends to amazing places like:

Key West, FL

St. Augustine, FL

An awesome job that allows me to tell everyone why my city (Augusta GA) is so wonderful and gives me the opportunity to travel to cool places like Indianapolis every once in a while.