Christmas Recap

Well it was another successful Christmas in Indiana! This holiday continues to be my favorite and my family doesn't disappoint! We left Atlanta around 2:00 pm on Friday afternoon and arrived in Franklin at 10:00 pm. I thought for sure Friday would be a terrible drive. Special thanks to my boss for letting me leave early!

I spent Friday night and Saturday morning with Dylan's family. It is tradition (don't ask me when this started) in my family to have lunch at a local bar in Franklin. My family and some close friends gather for lunch and a few bloody mary's before starting a marathon of Christmas celebrations.

My Aunt, Grandma, Mom and Sister relaxing at The B & G

After lunch we went straight to my Grandma's for Christmas with my dad's side of the family, then headed to the lake for the rest of the weekend. Last year we had our first Christmas on Grandview lake in the new house! I LOVE this new tradition. On Christmas Eve we invited a few lake friends over for a little holiday cheer.

You can never have too much Christmas decor! :)

Playing Dirty Bingo... as in people stealing prizes from each other!

The big gift of the weekend... Bucky Balls! More on that in the next post.

Christmas morning started with gifts, gifts and more gifts. I think I said it a thousand times that day... our family went overboard this year! We are very blessed indeed. The marathon continued throughout the day.
It really didn't feel like Christmas when Dylan and James decided to break out the wet suits and test out a new water toy...

James' new paddle board!

After their dip in the water we prepared for Christmas dinner... another favorite! We continued the traditions with lottery tickets, party crackers and Brandy Alexanders! We had a few $1 winners at the table, but Abby hit the jackpot when she scratched off $100! Here are a few more photos throughout the night.

 

Katie sportin' her party cracker eye patch!

Favorite moments of the night...

Finding out I'm going to Florida with my favorite sister and cousin's in January! GIRLS TRIP!!!Thanks to Lauren and Katie, we are going to escape the cold for 3 days to relax and spend some much needed time together. Fingers crossed for warm weather!!!

Can't wait for a weekend of fun with these ladies!!!

Second favorite thing....

Watching Walter open gifts for everyone. He loved it!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend! We got so many great gifts... let the thank you notes begin! 

XOXO,

T

A Very Siri Christmas

I don't use Siri that much, but I love this Christmas commercial Apple came up with this year!



Can't wait to head home in 2 days!!! Merry Christmas!

XOXO,
T

Christmas Countdown:

You always want the exact time when discussing the Countdown to Christmas!

Christmas is almost here and I couldn't be more excited! Actually I could, but I don't have enough vacation to make that happen. Honestly I can't believe it's already December 13th. I've been ready to celebrate Christmas since before Thanksgiving. Michael Buble is my Christmas music of choice this year and I can't get enough. I think I will go through withdraw when I have to file the music away on December 26th. Everyday I listen to it on the drive home from work. Call me crazy, but some evenings as I'm driving down GA-400 and stop for the toll (Yes... I have a 50 cent toll to and from work.), the Marta flies by at just the right time and it feels like I'm in a Christmas movie! Stupid, right!?!?! But I smile and turn up the music. I've never been a city girl...

With only 11 days left, there are still a few things left on my list of Christmas Must-Dos!
1. Wrap the 4 gifts I have so far. Thanks to my lovely sister, I don't have much Christmas shopping to do! Thank goodness!!!! :)
2. Watch all my favorite Christmas movies! Christmas Vacation was on ABC Family last night. I still need to watch Elf, The Polar Express, White Christmas (a family tradition), and The Grinch. If I wanted to work really hard I might try and find The Night They Saved Christmas! I can remember watching this movie at my Grandparent's house during their annual Christmas party when I was little. (Remember, Lo?)

3. See some Christmas lights! There are a lot of places to see them in ATL, but I just want to drive around some of the beautiful neighborhoods at night. I drove past a house last weekend with a TON of blow-up yard ornaments. Like they are trying to hit a world record or something! I am determined to go at night and take a picture. Dylan has to see it! I will try to have it by next week.
4. Make Christmas cookies!!! This is usually a tradition with my mom and sister, but seeing as my trip home will be so short this year I might have to tackle this one on my own.
5. Take Walter to see Santa Claus! Is that too much?? We'll see if I can make it happen.

I think that's all for now. Maybe I can get one more post in before the holiday! Until then... have yourself a merry little Christmas.


XOXO,
T
  

ATL Update

Well we've been here over a month and things are getting better! We had a fantastic Thanksgiving in Indiana, but it was nice to come home. I decorated the apartment before we left, so that I could immediately enjoy it when we returned. Call me crazy, but there is nothing better than a lit Christmas tree in your living room!

Walter hates Dylan's new toy.

Probably our last year with this little guy.

Walter finds the strangest napping spots.

I started my new job at Adcap Network Systems last week. Everyone is very nice and welcoming. I think I am going to enjoy working there, but I still have A LOT to learn. I started just in time for the holiday dinner at Stoney River Legendary Steaks next Sunday. I am really looking forward to next weekend because we have a Christmas party each night! I'll try to have a picture or two to share from the festivities.

Dylan is now the chef in our house because I usually don't get home very quickly. The mornings are easy, but the afternoon are always fun. Some days it take 30 minutes... others its about an hour or so. I'm not going crazy yet. :)

As always we took Walter to the dog park on Saturday. His days really aren't complete without some play time down the street. We've made a few friends thanks to the dog park though. Last night we walked down the street to go out with a couple we met there. We had great time and look forward to hanging out again soon.

That's pretty much it for now. Only 20 days until Christmas!!!

XOXO,
T

Happiness is...

It's only been three months since my last post. So here's a few things to be happy this Saturday afternoon.

Our new Atlanta address!!

We've been in our new apartment a little over three weeks now. So far we love our place and the location. Dylan quickly settled into his new job and I started the job search! Our bedroom is a mess, so I'm not including a photo! :)

 Unfortunately, Walter took a step back during our move. He is back in his crate when we leave the house. He loves having his crate up in the living, but it sure does take up a lot of space. The table will just have to wait.

 I don't know what I would do without a washer and dryer.

 We have a lovely view of the pool off our deck. Can't wait to use it next summer!

Awwww double sinks!

Landing a job!!!

A recruiting company contacted me when I applied for a one of their positions on CareerBuilder. They set me up with my first official interview on Monday and got the job offer on Tuesday. I will start at ADCAP Network Systems the Monday after Thanksgiving as an Inside Sales Representative. I will work with the Account Managers to prepare quotes, accept orders and communicate with customers. NO TELEMARKETING. :) I'm excited to try something new and have an income again! (Dylan likes that too.)

Home Sweet Home and Holidays

Dylan and I are so excited to head home for Thanksgiving. It's been a challenge moving and getting use to our new surroundings. We are driving back Tuesday afternoon for a long week with friends and family. Not to mention the delicious food we are about to consume! YUMMM!! 

 I shouldn't admit this...

 I love this song and it makes me want to see the new Twilight movie.

That's all for now! Have a wonderful weekend.

XOXO,

T

It's Official: I'm Engaged!!!

If you've been living under a rock for the past week or so you might not know that DYLAN PROPOSED and I said YES! It's a short and simple story, but here it is in writing.

Dylan suggested we go to dinner last Tuesday night. I recently heard about a great little cafe over in Mariemont (just around the corner) called Dilly's. It's definitely a new favorite of mine! We enjoy a delicious beer cheese appetizer; then fish tacos and crab cakes for dinner! YUM! After dinner we came back to our house to let Walter out and enjoy the nice weather in our backyard. Out of nowhere Dylan asked what I wanted to do on Sunday. Of course, I said nothing because it's Sunday. He suggested we go back to James Free Jewelers to look at rings. As many of you know, we looked at rings about 5 months ago. I did not want to go again! Walter distracted us for a bit and then he brings it up again. He tells me he found a new one that he thinks I will like better. No way! We agreed on a beautiful ring 5 months ago. I was sure the first time. Then he told me he had a picture of it in the house. Dylan doesn't lie very well, so I knew something was up. He challenged him and said, "No you don't." He then agreed, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! :)

So that's the story! I wouldn't change a thing about it. We (or should I say "I") are very excited to start planning all the little details. I always dreamed of having our wedding at the lake, but I'm starting to realize that it might not be possible. It looks like we have a back-up plan though. Dylan's parents already offered their backyard as an option. Once we realized that Grandview may not be an option, we couldn't think of any other location we would want more. An outdoor wedding is our style and we are prepared to challenge Mother Nature next summer. Fingers crossed! 

So I have a lot of planning to do! Dylan wants no part of it, but I think I can ease him into it... maybe. My whole family has weddings their minds! I'm lovin' it. Next week we have 3 weddings in 8 days. That has to be a record. :)

Now for the photos... Enjoy!

The Ring and all it's beauty!

With my sister and wedding planner. :)

Mom, Lauren and Grams (Without her I may not be engaged! Thanks, Grams.)

My fiancé!!

The most amazing dinner I've ever had!!

Congrats to us!

It was a wonderful evening for celebrating anniversaries and an engagement! Thanks again, Grams! See you all soon.

XOXO,
T

Weekend Update

Howdy ya'll! Life's been pretty relaxed lately. We stayed in Cinci again this weekend. As many of you know, it's been almost too hot to enjoy an afternoon or evening outdoors. We didn't break any records, but we came pretty close to 18 straight days over 90 degrees. This weekend we finally ventured out and enjoy a summer night in the city!

Friday night we met up with some friends at the Hofbräuhaus in Newport. LOVE this place and I hope we can fit in a few more nights there this summer. We killed a couple beer stein's and a shotski before heading back to Oakley to have a few more at a friends house. They live down the street from us so we even picked up Walt for some late night fun in their backyard.

Not a bad view!

Shotskiiiiii!

The same friends invited us out to their parents pool the next day. Another plus, Walter got to come too. Her mom has 9 acres up north with a brand new pool for adults and dogs. :) It was a perfect little Saturday. My summer tan was feeling very neglected. I'm already looking forward to spending next weekend at the lake! No photos from the pool, but I did take this video of Walt. He did this allllll day. The dude never stops!



Yes, he could touch the bottom of the pool. Needless to say we were all exhausted when we got home on Saturday and spend the evening relaxing. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

XOXO,
T

PS. Last Thursday marked our 1 year anniversary with Walt. It's hard to believe he use to be that small!!

A "Pin-Up" Weekend

Last weekend I went to Kankakee, IL for my best friend's bridal shower and bachelorette weekend. As most of you know, you always have a good time with Jenna. This weekend was no different! Here are some photos I took along the way.

With the beautiful bride-to-be

Yes, Jenna registered for a cat shaped toilet brush holder!

After a lovely shower at The Country Mansion (reception site too) we tried to relax before the pin-up themed bachelorette party! Jenna's sisters put together an amazing night of fun. We all had our hair and make-up done before taking individual photos. Once everyone had their turn we hopped on a party bus to hit the town! We got a lot of looks (Kankakee is pretty country), but I think most everyone thought it was a pretty cool idea!

Preview shots of all the ladies!

Hair by Anna (Jenna's sister), make-up by Maggie (Jenna's cousin) and photos by Katie (Jenna's Sister)

Here are some more shots from the night...

I can't wait to make the long drive north again over Labor Day to see this lovely lady tie the knot!!! This time I won't be alone though, thank god! Hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

XOXO,
T

Pizza Night!

There's a new favorite in our house tonight! I've always loved Tomato Basil Pizza, but this is the first time I've made it myself. We have a basil plant out back that is growing like crazy, so it only makes sense!! This pizza was delicious!! VERY easy too.

Tomato Basil Pizza

Ingredient are self explanatory!

Now another dress up session with the pup. And I must add, this is not my doing!

Such a good stud!! Happy Hump Day!

XOXO,
T

Weekend/Walter Update!

I'm on a roll with these blog updates! This weekend we got to stay in Cincinnati. YAY! Friday night we hit up a new Mexican restaurant, El Jinete. Our first meal at this place was so-so. We thought we would give it another shot and it is now a favorite! The food was standard and didn't disappoint, but it was the drinks special that got us!

32 oz. Goose Island Summer Ale for $3! All day, every day.

After finishing off 3 of these (1 for me, 2 for Dylan) we met up with some friends at Habits Cafe to enjoy the full moon! It was a perfect little Friday night.

The rest of the weekend was pretty boring. We made great use of our grill though. Steaks on Saturday and kabobs on Sunday! Walter is getting use to being out in the yard by himself, but he loves it when we spend time out there too. Here are some picture around the yard on Sunday!

Bought this tomato plant at Findlay Market about 2 months ago.
Tomatoes are on the way!

He really is the cutest!

Our dinner on Sunday. LOVE corn on the grill! I don't know why my family never did that.

I'm looking forward to more weekends like this in August because we have NO plans! NONE! It's somewhat amazing.

XOXO,
T