The Countdown Is On

2009 is on the way out! There are a few people as excited as mr but we are near the top of the list. This year has been a rollercoaster to say the least and I'm ready to hop off to get a better start in 2010. Bring on the good luck!

A Few More Ornaments

After posting pictures of our Christmas tree the other day we received four more ornaments.

So I thought I would share these as well. The one above is from my grandmother. It has Megan's name on it. Really cute!

This one also has Megan's name on it. What an adorable little snowman he is!


Then there are these two little bears with Steve and I's names on them :) Our dear friends the Flintstones gave them to use to commemorate our Christmas trip to the mountains.

The short version of the story behind them is that my wonderful husband was very determined to attract bears to our cabin. That is a story I will share another day :)

6 Months

Oh how I wish this post contained a really sweet picture of me cuddling my six month old daughter. Instead, it contains a picture me cuddling my daughter six months ago.

We did not do anything special in regards to honoring her life today. The day was spent was running errands although we were together since we both have this week off of work.

Our last stop of the day was my grandfather's grave site. Today was the first day either of us have been back to visit since his burial. It seemed fitting to visit there today. While standing beside his grave I couldn't help but think that I just hope he is holding her today since we can't.

We love you and miss you always Megan Grace!

A Christmas to Remember

This year we did Christmas a little different due to the events of the past year. As it worked out, we ended up shacking up with some strangers in a cabin located somewhere in the mountains of NC.

This is our new found friend Fred opening up his gift from Wilma on Christmas morning. He later proceeded to get embarrassed by the Lavinder family in the 1st Annual Lavinder/Flintstone Cornhole Tournament.

This is Bam Bam. Check out the tongue. Like father, like son :)


Most of the group enjoying the fire. By enjoying we mean looking at the fire because well it just didn't feel all that warm.

The whole group courtesy of a barstool, Christmas pillow, and the timer on my fancy new camera.

Beautiful sunset on our last evening together :)

Beavis and Butthead, Dumb and Dumber, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. Yea, you get the idea.

The two women who keep the above mentioned men in line.


Don't ask. Let's just say when you walk into a convenience store and buy only the items pictured you may or may not get some funny looks.



Mountain Dog.



The place where Fred almost lost his manhood ;) Literally.




Lucky ladybugs!

It was a great trip with great people even if they were strangers. There was an abundance of food, laughter, beverages, and friendship. Thanks for letting us share this Christmas with you Flintstone family :)

Tonka Time in the Snow

"Hey Mom, put your gloves on so we can go play in the snow. It is fun!""Is that a treat I see?"


A very rare picture of Tonka and I since I'm usually behind the camera.

So pretty.


Gotta Get the Stick.


Watch Out!

A Man and His Dog


Got the Stick!

Say What?

What a Good Boy!

Winter Wonderland Take 3

So this morning Steve, Tonka, and I went walking around our neighborhood as well as the surrounding tobacco fields. We live in farm country so it was really neat to see some of the old farm equipment in this winter wonderland.

An old dump truck and some cut timber towards the back of field.

Tobacco field

And old barn

A Few of My Favorite Ornaments

As a follow up to my ornament exchange post I thought I'd share some of my favorite ornaments from past years as well as this year.

This ornament and another one below are from a collection of three that a very dear friend gave me this year. I'm so in love with them. Christmas just isn't going to be the same this year without my dear grandfather. Papa we miss you!

The reason I like to do ornament exchanges is because each year when I put up my tree each ornament reminds me of different times of my life.


or significant others such as Tonka :)


and Megan Grace.


Or Steve.
Our wedding in St. Thomas


The year we MADE ornaments. I'm not sure I'll ever do that again but I do have a few cute ones to show for my hard work.

And this is my prize from this years party!

This one I'm pretty sure is from my first party.
This ornament and the one below are from a collection of three that a very dear friend gave me this year. I'm so in love with them.

Another ornament to remember Megan Grace.


Jackson Hole. One of our favorite places.

Self explanatory but it still makes me think of the person who gave it to me.

I had this one made for myself. The other side has my name and Class of 2004 painted on it.


Another homemade ornament.


And another.


This one has my name on it and I think it is an old one from when I was a child.

A very cute ornament from a couple of past coworkers.


An ornament to comemorate my first (And only so far) half marathon.

Winter Wonderland Take 2

These pictures aren't as clear because 1) It is getting dark 2) I was not about to leave the safety of my deck in my fluffy socks and Christmas pjs :)