Happy Holidays

From Florida!

Houston, we have a kitchen

Sort of. This past week our granite counter tops and kitchen sink were installed. I really love the way that the light granite contrasts with the dark cabinets!







The plumbing is scheduled to be hooked up this week, as are the heat and light fixtures.

Men at work...

in our new master bathroom!





Can't wait to start using that jacuzzi tub come January!

Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree last week and I'm super excited about it! This year it's living between the TV and the fish tank. Rusty hates the large, colorful lights from the 80's that break when you touch them. There's only 1 strand left and only about 5 or 6 of them actually light up. I think that we broke a few while hanging them this year.



Sitting on the top of the tree is our "angel", which my grandmother bought for me at a church craft fair years ago (she's made out of a tin can). I absolutely love her, and even though Rusty doesn't like her much, we'll be keeping her until we have a real angel to put on top.



Most of the ornaments that we have are hand-me-downs from my parent's old tree, with the exception of a few. Even though they're old, it's still fun to hang them on the tree because they hold a lot of childhood memories. I look forward to our Christmas tree every year!

Home Sweet Boston

About a month ago, Rusty's cousin (Cassie) and her friends (Steph & Mary) came to visit us in Boston. I happily followed Cassie and Steph during their Freedom Trail expedition and was their personal tour guide/paparazzi (even though their map was more helpful than I was).





I have never walked the Freedom Trail before (and I've lived here for over 5 years now) and I didn't realize how many graveyards there were along the route and how eerily beautiful they are.





The journey was more strenuous than I had imagined. Next time I'll definitely need to stretch or something - and I only walked half of it!





After all that walking we did during the day, we ended up in Faneuil Hall for dinner, drinks and the tree lighting.





By the end of the weekend, I was exhausted, sore and totally worn out...but I had an absolutely fabulous time and can't wait for their next visit!

Thanksgiving in Florida

I know it's a little late, but here are some shots from our Floridian Thanksgiving.





The menu included all the usual: 1.5 turkeys, candied yams, mashed potatoes, corn pudding (my absolute favorite), green beans, Brussels sprouts, both apple and pumpkin pie and a ton of wine, champagne and other alcoholic beverages.







Everyone came hungry and left full - and we got to eat Thanksgiving dinner for the next four nights! I love Thanksgiving.

Mow Cake

Bethany made this cake for Lauren's joint birthday surprise party with her mother.



Mow sat on top of the cake and looked just like she does in real life.



I really loved the pink beading that bordered the bottom of the cake. It was so cute!