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

Beginnings

So here it is - our entrance into the blogging world! We're just keeping our fingers crossed that we'll be able to keep this blog reasonably up to date. Time is so difficult to manage right now... Since being married in June, my husband and I have acquired pretty hectic schedules! Andrew is both working full time as an opthalmic tech as well as going to school full time. I am working as a mortgage banker at SurePoint Lending and am working 8-6 through the week as well as some nights and weekends. We love our ward here in Louisville, where Andrew serves with the young men and I teach the precious little sunbeams. We stay busy, but absolutely love this new phase of life!