Christmas!!

Christmas was AWESOME this year. Maybe the best yet? I haven't had to work - my last day working in 2012 was the Friday before Christmas. I've been doing some major cleaning of my apartment (so much to clean when you neglect cleaning for SOOOOO long!), catching up on Gossip Girl (2 episodes left!), running so I'm not behind in my half marathon training and had a short but nice visit with my family, and got to see Les Miserables Christmas day!

I didn't feel like decorating much this year (see comment about dirty apartment above) so I was so happy and touched when some amazing friends made me this Christmas tree! It immediately went on my mantel and was my one decoration for the holiday. I love it! Thanks Chana and Tiffany!



The week before Christmas I got to do some baking - these sugar cookies are the best ever - thanks Chana for sharing the recipe!



The Saturday before Christmas, I was at Barnes and Noble, wrapping presents for donations - and I'm so glad I did! One, because it gave me some much needed wrapping practice, but also because I found this book, which Josh gave to my niece for Christmas (she is OBSESSED with Pandas). And its a great book! Trixie, I think you might like it too :)



For Christmas, Josh got me some running gear, including an hard core sports bra - the tag makes me laugh - 83% less bounce! And I tried it out and its great!



And one of Josh's presents was a Domo bobblehead... such a funny dude.



On Christmas Eve, we walked over to the mall to enjoy the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, because I HAD to have a slice of their peppermint bark cheesecake... I just had to try it. And it was so good!!



Christmas day, we slept late, and I made a full Christmas dinner! And it turned out ok!



After dinner, I went to see Les Miserables with my friend Michelle (thanks for going with me Michelle!!) and it was great! After the movie (at 11 at night!) Josh had the crazy idea that we should drive to PA - now. Yikes. We did, getting in at 4:30 that morning (I was sure I was going to die!) and its a good thing since VA got some snow Wednesday morning which would have delayed our trip.

We had a great time in PA - I went shopping with my mom, hung out with my dad, played with my nieces, ate an entire box of maple sugar candy, visited with my sister and bro-in-law, wore my 8-year-old-nieces snow boots (mine are missing!!!), made dinner for my grandmas - it was a great trip. The only thing that would have made it better is if we saw Danielle, James and the boys. But we are looking forward to our January trip to see them! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Traditions

I love a good tradition! One tradition I was looking forward to this year was a relatively new tradition - a peppermint and chocolate baking marathon with a good friend. Last year, since I was not working, we got to spend the ENTIRE day making delicious mint and chocolate confections. This year, we only had an evening, but we made the best of it and had a wonderful time.

We made three types of yummy peppermint cookies: Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint cookies, Peppermint Meltaway cookies, and Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich cookies. While we intend for this to happen, all these recipes came from Our Best Bites.







Thanks Karene for baking with me!! I love baking with you!!

Our hearts are broken

I've been struggling with what to say about the school shooting that happened yesterday. I don't know what to feel, but I know my heart is broken. I think its been broken a little ever since the Virginia Tech shootings. Every time one of these mass shooting happen, my mind travels back to my experience at Tech and the horrible days following. I think about the friends I had and how we relied on each other like never before. I think about the palpable pain you could feel just by walking on the campus. And the confusion as to why someone would do something so horrible. I read every page of the report that came out a year later, detailing the progression towards violence.

After Tech, I would have said stricter gun control was the answer. Take guns away and make them harder to get legally. I've since mellowed in my positions. I still think gun control is important, but have come to realize that even if guns were impossible to obtain legally, someone who is so disturbed that they would shoot up a school would still find a way to get one.

After a sleepless night, I feel at peace saying the answer is to start caring more. Start caring about our community. Start caring about the weird or strange people we see. Start caring about those who are struggling. Start doing something to show we care. Work with at risk kids, support social programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations, volunteer somewhere. I'm guilty myself of getting overwhelmed by my life, by my problems, and by my struggles that I forget other people have struggles too, struggles I might be able to help with. But I resolve to be a better member of my community. To care a little more and to do a little more. Maybe that will heal our hearts.

Thanksgiving awesomeness

Sorry this post is late, but after Thanksgiving I came down with a viral infection I was sure would kill me, then we had our 5K fundraiser at work. I'm just now catching up.

This year we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving in Syracuse. It was wonderful - and not a snowflake in sight!

First, we got to hang out with some super cool superheros. This one is Captain American.



Then, on Thanksgiving, the boys fried a turkey! I love this tradition!



Danielle and I spent the day making some AMAZING food. We only got pictures of part of it, but we made rolls, stuffing, asparagus, cranberry sauce, red skinned mashed potatoes, cranberry cream cheese appetizer, chocolate cream pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin whoopie pies, and the boys made the turkey. It was amazing.



Sadly, Danielle had to work the next day, but we went with the boys to the Syracuse tree lighting. Ethan was less than thrilled, and hung out on Josh's shoulders.



These boys are twins! Its crazy how much they look alike. Personality is kinda similar too :)



Then, we headed to my sister's house in PA. I took my grandma shopping and for pizza (two things we love to do together) then I started feeling REALLY sick and slept in a bean bag chair and felt like I was going to pass out. Fun times. I slept almost the entire ride back to VA. On the way, Josh got a GIANT chocolate bar in Hershey PA. I've wanted to buy him one before, but the shipping always made it cost prohibitive. I'm glad he finally got it.



All in all, a great Thanksgiving!