Thursday, December 31, 2009

>Goodbye 2009!!

>This has been a great year!! Looking back, we've had many ups and downs in our lives this year, but somehow we made it to exactly where we wanted to be. This year we moved into our first apartment, celebrated our 1st year together and made through another year of school... just a litte closer to our dreams now. :)

Were staying in this New Year's Eve as we are home bodies and prefer not to be caught up in the drama of going out, drinking and hangovers!! ;) So were watching movies, playing wii, and counting down to the peach drop! Maybe one year we'll go out and see what all the fuss is about, but for now its just us and our chi-chi.

=)

Goodbye 2009 --- Hello 2010!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

>17 Months Today!

>Yes, we are dorks. We like to keep up with the month-a-versies. :)
I think we'll prob stop at 18 months... and just do it yearly. Tonight we were supposed to go out to dinner at Olive Garden, but I dont think I feel like driving all the way out there since we finally got back to our apt late yesterday. I think I just want to be lazy. Dinner Tomorrow!

We had an amazing holiday with our families. My mom made me and my brother each a beautiful baby book. In my book on the last page, was pictures of my dad(who died when I was 9)tossing me up in the air when I was 2 years old... with the caption "My Daddy, My Prince". I totally cried. It was just so special.=)

The rest of the gifts were both for me and Jess- snuggies(mine-pink,jess-blue), snowglobe with our picture in it, New Moon Game, she had me a bag made that said "Shell & Bake" =) and she got Jess the "Cars" car that I couldnt find.. so yay! And then we got gift cards together. I love my family for being so open-minded and accepting. My mom is amazing.. shes the most non judging person Ive ever known, her only concern is that Im happy. She works with several young lesbians who mothers have all but totally disowned them.. She just takes them under her wing and tries to just be there and listen. People always say things to her like " youve actually met your daughter's "friend"?" or "How can you let her "date" another girl?" People can be so ignorant. And of course my mom being the incredibly strong and outspoken woman that she is... always has something clever to come back with... " well no, I havent met her "friend" Ive met her girlfriend. She might as well be my daughter-in-law." HAHA. I love her so much. And shes never embarrassed, she always introduces Jess as my girlfriend. She never sugar coats who Jess is for anyone.. not our family, her friends, or even her boss. My mom single-handedly changes minds of people who otherwise "fear what they dont know". And if not change it completely, she at least makes it an open conversation. Anyways- Jessica's family got us some baking dishes, set of knives and gift cards. And her mom got me "Julie & Julia" And a Candle!! Movies are my favorite thing and she was the only one to get me one!! =)

This is truly been the best Christmas ever. I hope each and every year is just as amazing. We know how truly blessed we are to live in such accepting families and be able to spend holidays together, not being pulled apart. These past few nights when I say my prayers, I just thank God for the people he blessed me with in my life.

Monday, December 21, 2009

>Christmas Survey!!

>The Tree
1. When Do You Put Up the Tree?
Thanksgiving night or by Dec 1st

2. Real or Fake?
Fake for now... Jess really wants a real one somaybe when our place is bigger we will get a real one.

3. Lights - What Color?
I prefer color!! But this year we have both since our tree was pre-lit and FREE!

4. Garland?
Not this year.

5. Theme or No Theme?
no theme... just whatever we like...

6. What Kind of Topper?
Star!!

7. What's Your Favorite Ornament?
Our penguin one we had made last year with our names on it =)

8. What does your tree skirt look like?
red and white like santa outfit.

9. Where Do You Put Your Tree?
In the corner of the living room by the window

10. Who Decorates the Tree?
me and jess

11. What's Under the Tree?
the presents before we opened them early

12. Do You Put Candy Canes On Your Tree?
Yes! Jess loves them!

About the Food:
1. What's Your Favorite Christmas Cookie?
I think Jess likes any Christmas sugar cookies

2. Do You Bake Cookies and Give Them Away?
not really

3. Any Special Foods You Have Only at Christmas?
ahhhh yes... my mom makes the same dinner on Christmas that she does on Thanksgiving.. Amazing.... but she only makes it on those 2 holidays.

4. What Do You Eat Christmas Eve?
just whatever.. nothing special.

5. What Do You Eat Christmas Day?
Ham. Chicken Cassserole. Mashed Potatoes(Jessica's Contribution). Green Bean Casserole. Sweet Potato Stuff. Dressing W/ Gravy. Chicken Dumplings. haha clearly were not big on the veggies lol

6. Do You Like Eggnog?
Nope.

7. Do You Like Candy Canes?
yes.

About The Decorations:
1. Where Do You Hang Your Stockings?
on our wall unit. we dont have a fireplace.. yet. =)

2. Do You Put Lights on Your House?
Not this year... but we will in the future.

3. Got Any Outside Lawn Decorations?
No.

4. Do You Put Up a Nativity?
We will.... as soon as we find one!! ( Mom informed me that her and my aunt found the most perfect Precious Moments Nativity at a thrift store for $3.. that had never been open... I LOVE PM!!! But she I guess didnt think my love for PM was that intense so they didnt buy it... although my aunt told her to buy it cuz it would match the PM snowglobe that Jess had just bought me!! oh... well...)

5. Do You Hang Mistletoe Over Your Door?
No but we totally should. ;)

6. Got a Wreath on Your Front Door?
No.. I wanted this certain Bell Wreath but I havent been able to find one this year. booo

7. How Long Does it Take You to Decorate?
one day... were just starting out... we dont have that much yet.

About the Movies/Shows:

1. Favorite Christmas TV Show?
hmmm we like the Holiday Extravaganza on Food Network.. does that count? =)

2. A Wonderful Life / Miracle on 34th Street / A Christmas Carol
Jess says Miracle on 34th Street.
I say A Christmas Carol- the cheesy modern day ones are my favorite!!

3. Favorite Christmas Movie?
The Santa Claus Trilogy, Elf, and pretty much all the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime sappy Christmas Movies!!

4. Have you ever seen the Nutcracker Suite Ballet live?
nope

5. Ever Been to the Radio City Music Hall Show?
nope

6. Ever Gone to the Movies on Christmas Day?
Yes. we try to every year! We made it our tradition last year.. Ive always done it with my family.

Other Christmas Things:

1. Favorite Christmas Books?
Idk that we have one.

2. Do You Stuff Your Stockings With Any Types of Food?
mostly candy... but my mom always stuffed mine with apples and oranges.. although I cant eat the fruit... I love the smell that lingers from it in my stocking.

3. Do You Go to Church on Christmas or Christmas Eve?
no but we should!

4. Have You Ever Gone Caroling?
only when I was in chorus in middle school..

5. Favorite Christmas Carol?
Silent Night. We wish you a Merry Christmas. Jingle Bell Rock. Winter Wonderland.

6. Do You Believe in Santa?
Sure ;)

7. Do You Leave Santa Cookies?
Jess says we have too... so yes!

8. What About Rudolph?
nah.. I dont think so.

9. What Was Your Best Christmas Gift?
who knows... my mom always gave the best presents.. especially the homemade ones.. so theres no telling.

10. Worst Gift?
I dont put much thought in to what it is I got... I dont care much.. Im just thankful for the day with the family. (A very small family might I add)

11. Do You Go To a "Work" Christmas Party?
I did every year I worked. But now Im just a student =)

12. Do You Hate Going?
No.

13. Do You Send Christmas Cards?
Yes!!

14. Do You Make a List?
for sure.

15. Do You Check it Twice and Thrice?
sometimes

16. When do You Start Shopping?
When I see it and I have the money.

17. Do You Shop on Black Friday?
depends on how bad I want whats going on sale. This year we did not.

18. Are You Ready for Christmas?
yes... even though it feels like Christmas already came and went because we did Christmas at our apt before coming "home" to the parents house.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

>Christmas Came Early In Our House ;)

>I love being out of school and home with Jess, especially when shes off from bball at the same time. This past week and next week will be the best! We have nothing to do but be together. Today we decided to open our presents to each other before going home tomorrow, so we could avoid crushing the nicely wrapped gifts in the car. She got me a beautiful butterfly necklace (she calls me butterfly), a penguin blanket (we LOVE penguins!! Like almost obsessed!), and the MarioKart Wii game!! I got her The Santa Clause Trilogy which we both love!! I also got her a new winter coat and some Disney's Cars collector cars, because she has EVERYTHING "Cars"!! And in Kiwi's stocking she got 3 toys and 2 bones =) This is the best Christmas ever!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

>Christmas Card Pictures!!

>Yesterday, we took pictures for our Christmas cards. We debated for a long time on whether or not to go have our pictures made or just take them ourselves (the cheaper way!). We decided to do them ourselves in front of our tree, our very first tree!!! Plus, doing them ourselves meant Kiwi could be in the picture too, which is very important. These are 2 of the pictures we used. We loved how the cards turned out!! :D