Buck-EYES! :)

Well, it's official - looks like we're going to be Buckeyes! The big decision was between Ohio State, Southern College of Optometry, Indiana University, and University of Alabama-Birmingham, and we really feel OSU is the best choice. We were so happy (and a bit shocked) that Andrew was accepted to every school to which he applied, but multiple options made for more thought than anticipated. OSU was always Andrew's first choice. There were LOTS of factors to consider, however...it took a pretty complex spreadsheet to help weigh everything out.

At any rate, it's a fantastic, well-respected program and we are thrilled he was accepted. The university also offers a competitive masters and PhD program in Comm., so I am glad I'll have the option to further my education as well. The school is located in Columbus, so we'll really only be moving about 3 hours northeast. Thankful we'll still be close enough to visit Louisville often! We aren't positive when exactly we'll be moving, but it will certainly be before next fall. Grateful and excited!

Ha Ha Ho

Ooooh Christmas, how we love you. We still count down the days like kids. So much of the magic is in the small details - Christmas music playing, candles lit, the smell of fresh pine, egg nog (diluted with lots of milk), lights on the tree...we love every bit of it. See our 'Tis the Season post for more details.

The holidays are a time to spend with family, and to me, family is almost always synonomous with laughter (said laughter is not always induced by lighthearted merrymaking. Oftentimes it is a result of a family member's serious behavior being ridiculous enough to deem laughable). My sisters and I have a way of finding almost anything hilarious. So by the end of the visit, we've shared enough deep belly laughs to give us six-packs (not really. I don't know why people say this because it's a lie and never works).

Anyway, sometimes things are so bad they're funny. While I adore listening to holiday music, there are a few select Christmas songs I think are just awful. The one about the shoes, the little drummer boy (I know it's a classic, but it makes no sense. Bang on your drum for a woman who's just given birth in a barn and her infant son? Yeah, didn't happen)...there is one song, however, that takes the cake with it's "badness," one that we all first loathed, then laughed at, now love. The song is so awful, so 80's, and watching the video will make you realize how simultaneously terrible and amazing it is. I used to hate hearing it on the radio, but now am convinced that every time it plays, an angel gets its wings.

 



In recent years, Andrew and I have grown very fond of an aspect of Christmas often overlooked, and that is the gag gift. It's so much fun. During this exciting time, as people anticipate what wonderous things might be inside of those beautifully wrapped packages with their names on them, there's nothing quite so entertaining as watching their faces while they discover something completely unexpected, strange, or even downright gross.

For example, a couple years ago when my big sister Liz requested a set of hot rollers  for her silky golden locks, we took the opportunity to fulfil her Christmas wish. One trip to the Goodwill and a dollar-fifty later, we had an old set of hotrollers, complete with scratches, holes from missing rollers, and lots of hair from whoever used it last.

The set, 23 years and 3 owners earlier.

We wrapped it and labeled it to Liz, from Santa (so she'd assume it was from our parents), and tried to mask our amusement and delight as she opened it during our family's Christmas. Watching her confusion mingled with disgust as she still tried to appear pleased and thankful made it all worthwhile! That moment was priceless.

We hope you have a very very merry merry Christmas, and remember to make time to laugh!

Asher Boy

"Man of Steele"

 Making messes and eating dog food  in Phoenix at Aunt Liz's house

 Kicking back with Daddy

 Having a ball with a puppet at Thanksgiving dinner

Asher boy has developed quite the personality! He is such a sweet, smart, happy little boy. He's begun giving us high fives, dancing, waving "bye bye", and covering and uncovering his eyes to play peekaboo. It's odd to think that this laughing, "talking" little boy who's now scaling everything wasn't even born this time last year. My, how the time flies!

Happy Halloweeeen

We especially enjoyed the spooky holiday this year. Having a child to dress up made it all so much more fun! Here are a few shots of this year's Halloween.

     At our ward Trunk or Treat with our sweet smartie

 
 

Asher's alternate costume - a little lion. Love those teeth!

Here we are at the Mill's annual Halloween bash as a Russian figure skater and coach. Andrew's mullet, goatee and earring made my night. So glad I found a husband willing to be silly with me!

Here's a group shot. I was ULTRA impressed with everyone's costumes. Such a fun night!

And We're Back.....Again.

So it's time for our annual update! Not every two-year-old blog can be read from start to finish in 5 minutes, but ours is different. Sad, isn't it? I really do have a problem...but enough looking back! Let's unclog the blog!

Last I wrote we were expecting a little boy, and on January 20th we welcomed Asher Joseph into our family. He is PERFECT! Watching him learn and grow has become one of our greatest joys. We fall in love with him more each day!

Asher is now a happy and animated 9-month old, pulling up, speed crawling around and getting into everything he shouldn't. It really does blow your mind to see how quickly a baby can develop into a little boy! Here are a few shots of him as a newborn.

So I really wanted to post pictures of Asher boy from birth up until now, but alas, have no idea how to get them to upload in order. Every time I try to post a picture it appears at the top of the page and seems immovable. Part of why I rarely update the blog is because I don't quite know how. Seriously, I might be the only 20-something out there who can't proficiently operate user-friendly computer programs. Someone take pity on me and give me a tutorial!


Aside from sweet Asher, the other big news in our family is Andrew's acceptance into optometry school. We were so excited to learn of his admission into Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, and he is continuing to interview at other schools, so we'll see where we end up moving! The gratitude we have experienced over this answered prayer has been so intense and reminds us of all the other ways Heavenly Father has taken care of us. Maybe it sounds hokey, but a grateful heart truly is a happy heart, and our hearts have never been happier!

And We're Back!

So just when our "'Tis the Season" blog from last year was close to making sense again, I finally decided to give this thing an update! I know, I'm a total deadbeat. Andrew and I are notorious for never taking our camera with us places, but here are some pictures from the last year or so with some long overdue recapping action - in reverse order.

Here's a picture from the Mill's fantastic Halloween party of the couples that stayed late. Andrew and I dressed up as a shotgun wedding from the 80's, and had so much fun with it! The mullet MADE MY NIGHT. Seriously, when we clipped in the extensions at home, we laughed harder than we ever have for about 10 solid minutes.


Sidenote: My favorite thing about this picture is Cluff, standing costumeless in the back by himself while all the couples kiss. Priceless.

Andrew and I were able to take a trip to Salt Lake in the middle of October for a mission buddy's wedding and to see family and friends. We flew out with Ali and Bryan (Andrew's twin sister and brother-in-law), and were there during the most beautiful weather! We packed a lot into the four days we were there, including visiting Temple Square and seeing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform Music and the Spoken Word. It was a great trip!

The first week of July, I flew to Phoenix to see my sister Liz, her husband Rich, and their new baby Wesley Grant. He was born June 30th, so he was brand spanking new, and COMPLETELY adorable! My step mom Lisa and little sister Christina all made trips out at the same time and it was really nice to be there together. Wish we lived closer!

So I was born and raised in Louisville, but until this past May had never been to Churchill Downs! My company rented out a private box for a team outing, and we were able to enjoy the track for Downs After Dark.

And earlier that month, we discovered the news of the century - that we were expecting a baby! It was complete shock at first, but that quickly melted into excitement. We now know we're having a baby boy, and are due January 21st. Can you believe it?

The holiday season of 2008 was a special one, with Andrew and I celebrating our first married Christmas together. We were so excited to decorate the house that our tree was up before Thanksgiving! I look at this picture and smile to myself thinking if we knew then what we know now - that the same time a year later we'd be so close to having a child - we'd never have believed it.

And then finally, below are a few pics from our honeymoon last year. We took a cruise to the Virgin Islands and had a phenomenal time, but as usual, our pictures left a lot to be desired. Oh well, at least now you are somewhat caught up! There will be more to follow, we promise, and this time, you won't have to wait a year. ;)

Thanks for reading!

Oops, I think I was trying to look sexy. Fail.

'TIS THE SEASON!

By now I'm sure you've noted that subtle shift in the air; there's a general excitement slowly seeping into our lives as we realize the holiday season is upon us again!

So I feel compelled to express a few small things that I am simply enraptured by this time of year, "insider tips to the holiday spirit," if you will. Here are my top 5...

5) Department stores.

Sure it's all motivated by cold commercialism, but I love going shopping around all the untouched merchandise, listening to the Christmas music and seeing the opulent displays. The holiday force remains strong in retail.

4) Hot Chocolate.

There is really no comparison...hot chocolate has a singular way of spreading warmth while winter winds blow. Best when topped with copious amounts of marshmallows, hot chocolate is to winter what lemonade is to summer, and apple cider is to fall. Sorry spring. I’m kind of drawing a blank…

3) Christmas Lights.

Whoever started this did the world a favor! In the thick of the season, it's not uncommon for Andrew and I to occupy a Friday night driving around just looking at Christmas decorations. Oh, and have you all noticed the inflatable craze that's been sweeping across the nation in recent years? I still find them pretty lame and tacky, but who knows? Maybe this year I'll develop a taste for over-sized snow globes filled with inflated Santas and artificial snow.

2) "Sleigh Ride."

Oh good heavens. Where to begin? I wait all year to hear the orchestral version of this Christmas classic, and each time I do, feel an overwhelming rush of jubilation. Do yourself a favor and go listen to the Mannheim Steamroller version. Seriously, right now - I'll make it easy.

1) SNOW.

Nothing quite captures the season as well as this frozen precipitation. Even a mere forecast will do! Just the thought evokes a childlike euphoria (perhaps rooted in the glorious institution of snow days)! Falling snow is accompanied by such reverent tranquility... an unmatched pristine quality. Outside of all the potentially lethal road hazards it creates, it really is the perfect compliment to the season.

And that, my friends is my seasonal top five. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings, and have a very merry Christmas!

- Sarah