Thankful

Thanksgiving break was wonderful!

It started after a long Tuesday of work and class. I then drove to Richmond and had dinner with Cary (as is tradition for us, at The Cheesecake Factory with a wonderful waiter). It was so nice to catch up with her and her new fun life in Nashville as a nursing student. Lucky for me, she'll be back in Richmond for the holidays so I don't have to wait too long to see her!

The leaves in progress

Wednesday, Holly came home! We baked lots of cookies (she is amazing, I never realized how hard sugar cookies are to ice in such a beautiful way!) and saw Love and Other Drugs with Dan. (Mini movie review: It was pretty good, a little sad, and a lot different than expected.) Then we had Mexican at our favorite place with Mom and Dad. It was nice to relax and just be together.

Thursday, was Thanksgiving! We cooked a lot and had snacks for lunch and a later dinner. We took a nice long walk with the dogs, too : ) It was kind of nice that it was just the four of us, but I missed our traditional Asheville Thanksgiving as well. Dan came to the house after work for his Thanksgiving and then we all had dessert! Yum.

The dogs on the way to the battlefield for their walk!

Friday got a little crazy. We all got up early to vie for a spot in the oven. Mom made ham, chili, and a multitude of over things and we had leftovers from Thanksgiving and I made a huge thing of mac and cheese (it required 2 trips the the store and 3 people to help make the sauce). With all of this food, of course, came lots of family! It was fun to see everyone and the children had so much fun running around and making videos. They are so cute! We had not seen Molly since she was a tiny baby and she has grown up so much- she loves to give hugs- so cute! After lots of talking and even more eating, it was time to go. We were tired!

This is how we all felt after the weekend!

Saturday was a lazy day! It was quite nice to just hang out, watch to Virgina Tech / UVA game and just veg! After cooking, eating, talking (repeat) I was happy to just sit. Sunday, of course, came to quickly and it was back to reality. But only about 3 more weeks till Christmas break! Until then I have lots of homework, lesson plans, evaluations, presentations, and Christmas shopping to keep me busy!

All sorts of birthdays

This weekend was full of birthday celebrations! Danny's birthday was Thursday and many others in his family are close. So on Friday, we made the trip up to Philadelphia. Saturday night we had a dinner at Outback and then went out with Danny's friends. 

On Sunday, it was Danny's cousin's birthday party at Bounce U- this place was crazy! There are lots of inflatable bouncey rooms, games, and huge slides! The kids loved playing, but I think that the adults loved it more! All of Dan's cousins were there so it was a lot of fun!

Addison, Amy and me on the slide!

Then, on Sunday, a real birthday! Dan's sister gave birth Sunday evening to a healthy baby boy, Ben! We were sad that we werent there to visit him, but we will definitely have to go see him soon. So exciting!

Next up: Thanksgiving! I cannot wait!

Life as we know it...

...is pretty uneventful. Danny just got back from Indonesia on Saturday morning. They weren't allowed to explore much, but when they did he said that there were tons of people, even more cars and motorcylces, and no traffic laws! Sounds pretty scary to me! Other than that exciting adventure, life has consisted of lots of homework, working, and stitches (Up to 39!). Hopefully were almost done...

This is the last full week before Thanksgiving break- thank goodness! Next Tuesday Im starting off break with a visit to Richmond to see Cary! Nashville is so far away, so it will be good to catch up. Wednesday is Mexican and a movie with Holly and Danny and Thursday is Thanksgiving. The day of should be pretty uneventful, but on Friday about 22 family members are coming to the house! Woah! It will be so good to see everyone and catch up- Danny gets to meet everyone (apparently he needs a new polo to do this : ). So hopefully it is a nice break from school.

Once we are back, there is about 3 weeks of classes left! Woo! And graduation is 6 months from today- I cannot wait!

The Rally to Restore Sanity / Halloween

This weekend was a lot of fun, but very tiring! Friday I met Danny in Fredericksburg. We then went to a new Japanese Buffet (which had every food imaginable even if it wasn't Japanese. On another side note, I tried sushi- ew.) We then headed to Target for a few last minute Halloween items and on the way back to Annacostia a few on Dan's friends called and wanted us to go to a bar on King Street in Alexandria. Most likely because I had had a lot of caffeine at the restaurant, I agreed. The bar was called Rock-it Bar and they had karaoke so it was fun to listen to people sing! 


Saturday morning, we woke up and headed in to the National Mall for The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. As we are walking down the mall, Dan informs me that he had no idea where we were going or who Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert are; he just agreed because I wanted to go. Poor boy with no cable TV! I explained and he was a bit more excited. The rally was a lot of fun- there were SO many people and lots of musical guests (The Roots, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock). There were also lots of entertaining signs! We left a bit early so that we could get home to get ready for the night time festivities but I enjoyed it- it was a beautiful day which helped!

The Capitol Building from our vantage point

Danny and I at the Rally!

After getting home, we left about 10 minutes later to head back into DC to Megan's. (Side note: I was an awesome Metro navigator- score!) We got ready there and then went in to Nightmare on M Street. There were lots of people there as well, but it was fun! The bar played good music and just looking at everyones' costumes was entertaining! 

Everyone ready to go out!

Megan and Molly were the Double Mint Twins, Hunter and Tommy were Buzz and Woody, Sierra was Audrey Hepburn, Dan was The Hulk and I was a Marine. It was a good time, but again a lot of walking. I think we walked at least 10 miles that day! My feet were unhappy!

Sunday morning we had breakfast with Holly before heading back to Fredericksburg for football, relaxing, and a cul-de-sac Halloween get together. Danny had his first s'more!! Im not so sure that he was impressed! Tomorrow he is off to Jakarta (no more India and South Korea) for about 12 days; should be an interesting time.

There are only 5 weeks left in the semester and 3 until Thanksgiving! I cannot believe how time flies- Hello November! Hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween- what were you?!?

Mini Movie Review & Other News

Dan and I saw Life As We Know It the other day- so cute! It was less predictable than I thought and all of the characters are so lovable you dont know who you want them to end up with! The beginning was a bit sad but overall it was a wonderful, cute movie!

In other news:

-Stitch count: My final stitch count was 28... until I showed her other moles that I was worried about. So now I have three more to take off. I was excited to be done, but of course it is better to have them all off. 

-Danny: 
Dan found out yesterday that he is going to South Korea and India on Monday! Jealous! Im so used to him not going anywhere that it is weird! We have to figure out time zones and calling plans. Im sure he will have a wonderful time, however.

Cutie : )

Fall:

It is attempting to be Fall here. However, it has been in the 80's all week. Very odd to see the leaves changing and be wearing short sleeves. Next week is November! This weekend is Halloween and were off to celebrate with VT friends! Molly, Megan, Sierra, Hunter- oh my! It should be a good time.

Happy Things

This week was crazy. I don't know why exactly- it was just filled with a lot of work and even more annoying things (light out in the bathroom = pitch black showers, gas leaks, etc). However, at this moment, I shall remember one thing that makes me smile.

1. My students! This is the awesome Homecoming float they made! It is Zues' head and one of the girls dressed up as Athena and popped out! They had so much fun! I also taught my Technology lesson this week and the students did such a wonderful job- I cannot wait to have students of my own!

I am so excited not to be going anywhere this weekend- it is the first time in about a month! I am just going to run, clean, organize my life, sleet, get a lot of homework done, and watch Beauty and the Beast! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I am now 23. Woah. However, if there is a way to turn 23, this weekend was it!

Friday evening I drove down to Fredericksburg. When Danny got there, we opened presents (it seemed like Christmas!) Mom and Dad got me a new fleece and clothes. And Danny bought me, among other things, a beautiful Anthropologie dress and a Kate Spade purse and matching wallet (this is actually my Christmas present...oops!). Then we met Katie and Brandon (who had a horrible drive from Winchester- sorry guys!) for dinner at our favorite Mexican spot. It was SO good to catch up with Katie and just hang out. We closed down the restaurant- we were the last ones to leave!

Saturday, Mom and I ran errands (hair appointment, eye appointment, etc). Then we had BBQ for lunch, ice cream cake, and watched the Hokies play an awesome game against Wake (we're back in the top 25 now- Go Hokies!!). After the game. I got ready for my surprise outing. I had NO idea where we were going, except that it was near DC. When we were almost there I had to close my eyes, and keep them closed all the way into the resturant. When I opened them there was Molly, Sarah, Sierra, Holly, and Joe! So many people I hadnt see in way too long! I was shocked! I dont think I even said anything but hi...

My wonderful sister!

After dinner, we went to Molly's house where Holly had set up a cute birthday table with all my favorite foods- and of course Funfetti cake! Yum! After a little rest, we were out to DC. We went to Spider Kelly's in Arlington. It was amazing to catch up with my friends and see my sister. (Poor Holly, I was upset all week because I thought she wasn't going to celebrate with me- she definitely did!)  

Danny, who is not a good secret keeper, did a wonderful job of getting everyone together and not letting me know! I could not have asked for a better surprise! <3

Sunday, we tried to rest and watch the Eagles (who also won!), however I am still tired this morning. My room is also a mess- everything I own seems to be in a box or my laundry hamper. It was worth it!

Molly looks so cute here!

Everyone at the end of the night!

Thank you to everyone who helped make my 23rd the best birthday yet- Danny, Mom, Dad, Holly, Molly, Sierra, Sarah, Joe, Katie, Brandon- you guys are amazing! I could not ask for better people in my life : )