Two Christmases

This year we just spent 2 hours on Christmas morning with my family (since we are going to be with them for 2 weeks in South Africa), then we drove down to the beach to spend from Christmas evening til this past Sunday with David's family.

We got some really cool gifts for Christmas. I got a great sweater coat from my mom, David got this cool gift in the picture below, and we both got a new camera to capture all the great memories we will have on our upcoming trip. 

On Christmas morning we had a nice big breakfast of omlettes, waffles, bacon and sausage with my family before opening our presents. Then at David's mom's house, we opened our presents there before the annual large Christmas dinner party they had. The food was so good and there was so much of it, I stuffed myself full. I'll really need to work it all off this coming year. After the dinner, we went back to David's dad's house (where we were staying) and openend presents there too. Unfortunately I didnt' take any pictures of either of these events.

The next day, David went to play golf all morning, and I just lazed around the house reading, watching tv, and playing with my iphone. When he and his dad got back, we all went down to a nearby town called Harker's Island. David's dad found this really authentically down-east style restaurant and wanted to take us to experience it. Unfortunately since they had just opened after the Christmas holiday, they had a limited menu, but we were able to go back the next day and get the full experience. The restaurant is called "Fish Hook Grill" and the lady who owns it cooks the food fresh every day. She is also so nice and personable that she'll sit right down with you at your table and chat. The food was delicious - we had fish and shrimp baskets the 1st day, and the next day we had the famous down-east clam chowder with the best hush puppies I've ever tasted. It was a quaint, informal, but wonderful dining experience, and if you ever find yourself down in Harker's Island, NC, be sure to stop in at "Fish Hook Grill" restuarant and ask for Miss Faye.

Moving right along, while we were in Harker's Island the 2nd time, we went to visit the Core Sound Museum. This museum showcased not only the history of the island and surrounding areas, but also many many core sound duck decoys, like the one David won at the Seafood Festival. Here is David and his dad next to a big display of the decoys.

One other thing that I feel is worth mentioning is that the next morning after breakfast with David's mom, we went out for a few minutes to play with the little hunting dog puppies that her husband is training. They were so rambunctious, but very cute too. David was the photographer/videographer for the puppy play session. Here's some of what he took.

We left on Sunday afternoon in time to swing by some other extended family and drop off gifts there on the way home. When we got there, the kids wanted to show me their new present from Grammie (David's mom) - a big new trampoline. Of course they roped me into jumping with them for a while, but no pictures of that either. And I guess that's about it. Once we got home, we had to go into planning/packing mode, and we've been in that ever since.

We are so excited to be leaving in the morning for South Africa. Stay tuned to the blog for the next 2 weeks as I will try to give trip updates as frequently as possible.

The Graduate (Not the movie, but my brother)

On Tuesday December 16 Michael, my little brother (who's not so little anymore) graduated from NC State University, Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. We are so proud of him. My parents, David and I, and a few of Michael's local friends went to his graduation ceremony, then helped him pack up all his stuff from his condo there in Raleigh and move back home with my parents for a while.

Between my dad and me, we got some great pictures. Here are a few of them.

Then yesterday (Saturday) we had a graduation party for Michael at a friends house. Here are few pictures from that as well.

It makes me feel old to think that my brother, 7 years younger than me, is now a college graduate and going to be starting his career as an engineer in the middle of January when we get back from South Africa. It'll be here before we know it. This year has gone by so quickly, and now it's almost Christmas. I'll try to get those posts up before we head out of the country so that I can start the next year with posts from our trip.

2 Early iChristmas Gifts

These are what David and I got each other for Christmas! (a little early)

We are having a blast playing with them and learning how to use them. The technology is amazing! They are so much fun and so practical too. What a wonderful early Christmas gift!!

The Thanksgiving Catch up before the next holiday madness ensues

This Thanksgiving we had dinner with my parents and brother, then my mother-in-law, Jane, came into town to stay with us. Since this was the 1st time she's ever seen our new place, I thought it would be nice if it was already decorated for Christmas, so here are some pictures of how I decorated this year.This little Christmas village was actually given to us this year by David's mom when she came to visit, and I just happened to have this little desk next to the Christmas tree to put it on! Perfect!

It has always been our tradition (for the 4 years we've been married) that David's mom comes up here to visit on Thanksgiving weekend, and that night we go to the movies. This year we saw the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. It was a good constant action movie. Then we came back home and watched one of the Bourne trilogy movies (since we apparently didn't get enough action at the theater) I've seen all those multiple times, so I fell asleep.
The next day we got up, went out to breakfast, shopped all day then drove out to the Tanglewood Festival of Lights. Neither David, nor his mom had ever been before, and it is definitely worth seeing at least once. It wasn't too chilly, so I was able to stick my head out the window and get a few of these good pictures.

And last but not least, the light display of shameless advertising. The sponsor, Chick-Fil-A, had this to leave you with - "We Wish You Would Eat More Chikin"
After that we tried a new restaurant in Winston Salem for dinner, and then came home to watch Ocean's 13 (we have all the Ocean's movies too). The next day we went into Kernersville and toured the oddest little house, called Korner's Folly. I got few pictures in the house, but you may want to click on the above link and check out the site to get a better feel for how odd this house was. Here's David in the kid's playroom. Doesn't he look like a giant? Even I could nearly touch my head to the ceiling! After touring that house, we went to lunch with my parents and brother, then shopped some more, and watched another movie. I was exhausted by this point, so I know I slept through the whole thing. Sunday, we went out for breakfast again for the last time before his mom headed out. It was a nice rainy day, so once we got back home, we just relaxed and stayed in the rest of the day.
Overall, we had a fun, activity packed, busy weekend and we look forward to next year and the new activities we'll do then.

The Sniffly, Sneezy, Coughing, Runny Nose Anniversary

Well that about sums it up. I guess it was bound to happen sometime as long as we plan to be married, that we would have an anniversary where we both felt less than our best.
I'm not really too excited about this anniversary gift to both of us of these cold-like symptoms, but I am still excited that we have been married for 4 years and can still take the time to celebrate it a little.
We didn't let the unpleasant symptoms hold us back too much from having a great time.
First of all while I was out, my wonderful, creative, and sweet husband had a special anniversary gift for me when I came in. This is what he made for me. It set the perfect tone for a wonderful evening.



After we both got ready, we went out to a local shopping center and each picked out our anniversary gifts to each other. (sometimes it just works better that way :) Then it was on to a decedent dinner at a new restaurant that neither one of us had tried before.
After that we headed to the gym...ok hold on, I know what you're thinking..."that doesn't sound fun or romantic" But just let me finish... Our gym has a pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room, and we planned to take advantage of the steam room and hot tub. However, unfortunately they had already drained the hot tub to service it, so we just sat in the steam room to clear our sinuses and detox our bodies, then instead of going to a spa for a massage, we just gave each other massages at home. After that we snuggled up on the couch with a box of tissues to talk and relax in front of the blazing and crackling fire.So even though I wish we had felt better, we still had a fun, romantic and relaxing anniversary.