At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.

Another wonderful weekend of Christmas festivites!

I made my way into DC for a very fun weekend filled with some of my very favorite people! On Saturday, I met Sarah and we attempted to go to Tyson's Corner. It is a good thing that we haven't seen each other in a long time and had lots to catch up on, otherwise the almost 2 hours of traffic to go 7 miles might have killed us. In the end, we ended up at Pentagon City Mall and were successful in buying a few presents. Then, it was off to Annacostia to see Danny and get ready for Molly, Megan, and Sierra's Christmas party!

It was so good to see old friends, meet new people, catch up, and be around people that I've known for a long time! It got me thinking wayyy back to Freshman year:

This is the first official Blonde Squad photo! (The first first was Halloween... no thanks)

That was December of 2006 and now here we are, all grown up!

 

It has been 4 years of college, lots of boys, lots of parties, lots of dinners at West End, studying for exams, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and lots of fun. Now, Megan, Molly and Sarah have real jobs and Im in grad school- where did the time go? I am lucky to have such beautiful and amazing friends!

On Sunday (after some more shopping at Pentagon City!) we headed to Champps to watch the Eagles / Giants game. Dan is a big Eagles fan and Chris a big Giants fan, so it was a fun afternoon. After the crazy upset, Dan was quite excited, Chris not so much- but he was a good sport!

Danny and Chris

Now, I am back at school for two days of work. I cannot wait to go home and spend time with the family and more wonderful friends. Wednesday, I get to see Mrs. Pifer and hopefully on Christmas or soonafter I will see Cary! I cannot wait to catch up with them as well.

Done Done Done!!!

Today is a wonderful day. As of 2 o'clock, I am done with both surgery and school for the semester! I have had stitches since September. 60 stitches in 3.5 months in no fun- I am tired of wound care, of band-aids, of neosporin, of being allergic to band-aids, of going to the doctor, of it all- and Im done!!!! (at least for now).


Also, I just took my last exam for the semester! Woo! Now it is time to relax and enjoy vacation. I cannot believe that I only have one semester left- soon it will be time for interviews and hopefully getting a job- so exciting! I will be paid to go to school instead of paying to go!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Yes, were dorks!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas- and it is even snowing in Williamsburg as I write this!! This weekend was one of our favorite traditions- decorating the tree. It is customary in our household that we cannot decorate until after my sister's birthday, December 9th. So, on Friday night, we celebrated Holly's birthday.

Usually, Mom puts the lights on the tree (and hates it). Somehow, Danny was volunteered to put the lights on this year. So, Saturday morning, we started the process- which lights? how big? frosted lights? clear lights? After all of this was decided, and we were given our instructions (lots of lights, inside and outside, make sure you can't see the cord) we started out. After one strand, the tree fell over (almost on to my head...) Dad was out shopping with Holly, so we wrapped ourselves in Chrismtas lights instead.

Grace showing off our lit tree

The finished product

When Dad and Holly got back and the Christmas tree was secured, we were too hungry to continue. So, we went to our favorite Mexican place and had $1.99 margaritas and good food. Then, after a little shopping (and a new iPhone 4 for Dan!) it was back to the tree. We satisfactorily finished the lights and it was time for the ornaments! I LOVE this part! There are ornaments that my mom had on her tree as a child, ornaments that Holly and I made in elementary school, ornaments that are reserved for people, ornaments that Dad made, ornaments we recieved as gifts, and just plain ugly ornaments. I love hearing the stories behind all of them- and it was Dan's first time helping so he got to hear them too. He kept trying to put horrible pictures of me in first grade on the front of the tree! (Bad picture ornaments are relegated to the back). We had a warm fire, good cookies, Christmas music and a tree- we were all set.  I think it looks beautiful. 

The rest of the weekend was spent looking at the tree, watching Christmas movies, and eating cookies. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!

Now it is back to work and finishing up school. Tomorrow is an exciting day...