:: adios 2011, hola 2012 ::

no, we didn't go to a latin american country for the holidays... but since it's 19 degrees here, i thought a sunny state of mind would be helpful to recap our lovely break.

we headed down to springfield for christmas. this was my first holiday away from my family, but my in-laws really made me feel at home! we shopped lots, ate lots and caught up on some movie watching. four days flies by, so it felt like we were turning around to drive back in no time.

while i had to work a few days the week between christmas and new year's, eric & i spent some qt together. went to dinner one night, took a cooking class another night:) then, had a fun NYE with friends!

2011 was such a fabulous year, but i have a feeling 2012 will be even better. can.not.wait.

cooking class {we made beef tenderloin, broccoli/cauliflower gratin, compound butter, sausage-stuffed mushrooms and pumpkin donuts!}


my friend kelly & i on NYE. she and her bf hosted some people to celebrate.

:: whirlwind weekend in KC ::

i LOVE visiting KC. end of september eric & i traveled back for a jam-packed weekend. we got to see lots of friends and celebrate a few special people.

saturday morning sally & i drove into lawrence to meet leah/lindsey and their fellas/babies to cheer on the wildcats. of course we won, and it was great to spend some quality time with my buds. saturday night eric & i went to tracy & brendan's wedding downtown. it was beautiful and the band was lots of fun... you know it takes a lot for me to occupy the dancefloor:)

sunday i helped host a baby shower for sal! it was out at her sister kimmie's and was so much fun to eat yummy food, catch up with lots of friends and celebrate sally and baby annabelle. plus, there is so much FUN stuff for little girls... loved seeing her open her gifts.

we are so blessed to have such great friends. xxo.

tailgating


reception


mama to-be


lindsey & i with mama sal

:: you make my dreams come true ::

people i work with LOVE dressing up... for no reason. so you can only imagine the pressure that comes with halloween. we have a party/costume contest each year and my friend dave & i went with an oldie, but goodie... daryl hall & john oates.

unfortunately, we didn't with for "best team" costume, but we were a huge hit at the bars afterward. only 5 people thought i was pat summit, tennessee women's bball coach:) ha!





here are some of my co-workers {toddlers in tiaras, cottonelle roll cover, chest ball team}

:: gobble, gobble ::

turkey day couldn't have been more fabulous this year! first official holiday as a married couple. oh, how blissful:) eric & i were home for a FULL week with my fam. though the 9 hour drive to get there isn't desirable... we jammed to some music, read a load 'o magazines and caught-up with some friends. thank goodness we had good weather and didn't hit much traffic out/into chicago.

being home is always so fun! this time it was even more so because we got to meet our new nephew george... he's adorable and HUGE:) he loves eating so much. we have a lot in common! we also got to attend his baptism, which was so special. glad we could be there for my sis and justin. the house was full of family - beyond just the main fam, my aunt cristy was in from montana and both grandmas were over.

we went to walmart about a billion times, ate lots on turkey day {i even took a stab at making/baking my first pies from scratch} and saw nebraska play iowa. here are a few pics from the week.

the ladies after turkey day dinner {aunt cristy, mom, grandma sherrill, me, grandma joal... matching tops in gold/silver!}


apple pie with a pecan crumble topping {recipe from a blog} and pumpkin pie with a granola crust {recipe from real simple}


the fam after george's baptism