memories.

Well, Christmas was wonderful, as usual. (Pictures will be posted soon.)  I truly love the holiday season and I can't wait until next year when I am able to enjoy the holiday by having a week or so off of work!  I see lots of baking and crafts with my sister and niece in my future! :)

Since losing both of my grandmothers last year I find some moments during the holiday season bittersweet.  This year I was able to suppress most of my grief, but it always seems to hit in the car in the mornings.  Perfect timing to ruin my newly applied make-up for the day!  I have so so many wonderful memories of my Grandma and Granny during the holidays and I'd like to share a few with you!

• Grandma's spaghetti on Christmas Eve.  When I was young I used to think everyone had spaghetti on Christmas Eve.  They should!
• Granny's Christmas Day feast.  Especially the macaroni and cheese and apples.  Still haven't found a recipe like her mac and cheese and her apples were phenomenal warm, cold, or at room temperature.  Grandma Kearney makes a mean baked apples, but there was something about Granny's.
• Going over to Granny's house on Christmas Day in one of my new outfits to play with my cousins.
• Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's old house with the pool.  I can still remember the smell of that house...I loved that house.
• Grandma entering whatever house we were at on Christmas Eve and saying MERRY MERRY!!!

There are so many memories that I can't possibly list them all!

I still haven't been able to visit either grave site.  I know that sounds terrible and awful.  But, just thinking about it makes me sob.  I feel like that just reinforces the fact that they are gone.  I would much rather think of the wonderful times I had with them and there were so so so many.  I think the times when I get the most upset are when I think about the things they completely missed.  Neither one saw me get married, however, they both knew Chris so that gives me some comfort.  They also had no idea that I was going to become a teacher.  I know they would have been so proud.  They didn't get to see Chris become a firefighter, but again, I know they would be so proud.  Oh, what I would give to see my future children in their arms.  I am thankful to still have my Grandpa in my life and I hope and pray that he will still be around when I finally get around to having kids.  I know if it is up to him he certainly will be!

I am also incredibly thankful to have Chris' Grandma in my life.  She is such a caring woman and I know she loves both Chris and me whole-heartedly!

Life goes on, but my memories will always be with me.  Sometimes they make me sad, but mostly they make me happy and thankful that I had such amazing women in my life for 24 years.

Think they have the internet in heaven?  Just in case...love you Grandma and Granny! xoxo

I wish you all good health and happiness in 2012!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I'm looking forward to big changes in 2012!  This is my year - Wahoo!

A to Z (stolen from em!)

I thought this looked fun on my sister's blog, so I'm stealing it! :)

 

A. Age: 25

B. Bed size: Double.  Everyone I tell this to shudders in disgust and disbelief.  Hey, if Chris and I can sleep in a double bed for 6 years I'd say that is a testament to our relationship!  But, in all seriousness we are committing to purchasing a king bed this year! (2012)

C. Chore that you hate: Hmmm...all chores?  Wait, LAUNDRY!  I am terrible at doing laundry.

D. Dogs: The weirdest, most loving lab you'll ever meet - Bauer.

E. Essential start to your day: Hot shower fo sho.

F. Favorite color: Right now...green.

G. Gold or silver: Silver

H. Height: 5'10" boooo - I still feel like a 14 year old freak when I go looking for pants in stores!

I. Instruments that you play: Tried the flute and the violin, but no such luck.  So, none.

J. Jobs: Manager and hopefully soon to be teacher!!

K. Kids: None, yet.  Well, except for Bauer.
L. Live: Richmond, Virginia

M. Mother's Name: Patricia (also known as the most amazing mother everrrr)

N. Nicknames: Mal

O. Overnight hospital stays: None.  NOT looking forward to giving birth.  Chris will never be leaving my side!

P. Pet peeves:  bad drivers, people who are late, and people who don't do their job that they are paid to do!

Q. Quote from a movie: Not a huge fan of movies and I can never remember the words.

R. Right or left handed: right

S. Siblings: Emily - older and Greg - younger

T. Texting: duhhhh

U. Underwear: This just got awkward...but I feel like I have to answer or people will wonder, so yes I wear underwear? 

V. Vegetable you hate: Zucchini, squash, peas, radishes, and the list goes on...

W. What makes you run late: I try VERY hard to be on time for things and usually am! But if I'm running late I usually blame it on Chris.  Oops.

X. X-Rays you've had: Teeth, elbow when I fractured it...think that's it!

Y. Yummy food you make: I've been a terrible wife during my first year of marriage.  With me working full time and taking 3 college courses each semester since January I've been a little overloaded. I'm hoping that this spring once I'm done with student teaching I will be able to cook more.  For now, Chris is my little chef.

Z. Zoo animal(s): elephants! They are sooo cute! I want one :)


And, that's that!

motor pump operator.

On Sunday, Chris took his Motor Pump Operator (MPO) test.  This is a test that he is required to take (and pass) within his first year of employment with Chesterfield Fire & EMS.  Well, HE PASSED!  He is only the second person in his recruit school so far to have taken and pass.  I'm so proud. :)  Now, he just has to drive the engine for 10 days and he'll be good to go.  The best part about passing the test is that he can now work over time.  That's going to come in handy this spring with me only working part time!

That's Chris with the helmet on taking his test! :)

Friends.

This weekend I got to spend some time with Megan's daughter Kylie and I had so much fun. I haven't been able to see her since August and she has changed soo much. The thing that surprised me the most is how tiny she is! I'm so used to being around Lucy that I guess I just expected Kylie to be much bigger. The truth is, she is about the same size as Lucy...and she's 10 months. Hahaha but Megan is so tiny and Mike isn't huge either, so it makes sense. :) We had fun playing with Kylie, went to dinner with Candice, and then played our favorite game - Apples to Apples! I was able to snap a few pictures of adorable Kylie by the Christmas tree. (Sorry Megan and Mike for letting Kylie break an ornament...still working on the mom thing!)

Thanksgiving...a little late.

First of all...I. AM. DONE. WITH. SCHOOL.  I cannot believe I'm done!  I've actually cooked dinner the past two nights and sat and enjoyed time with Bauer and Chris.  I love it.  Unfortunately, I only have about 3 weeks to enjoy this because I start student teaching on January 2nd.  During Spring semester I am going to be in the classroom from 7:30 AM to about 3:30 PM and then going to work from 4-8 PM.  It will be pretty exhausting, but it will only be for 12 weeks and then I will officially be done!

Anyway, I know I'm suuuper late on my Thanksgiving post, but I was busy getting my classes wrapped up.  Robby and Sara graciously hosted the family this year and it was great!  Chris had to work :( but that's just something I have to get used to being a firefighter's wife, I suppose!

Lucy lovin' on Great Grandpa Frank!

Dad doing what he does best!

THE most amazing and delicious buffalo chicken dip ever!  (SO easy too!)

Max, the Sophie killer. :) He may or may not have eaten Lucy's toothing toy, Sophie!

Lucy telling stories!

YUMMY turkey - great job, Sara and Robby on your first Thanksgiving!

Sara making homemade turkey gravy! 

Robby getting his Dad on with Lucy...Can't wait for Sara to have a babyyyy!!

It was such a great Thanksgiving and I didn't take nearly enough pictures.  I promise I'll do better at Christmas! ;)

finally...

I know it has taken me much longer than my sister would have liked for me to edit the photos I took of her, Mark, and Lucy last week!  But, my semester is coming to an end which means I have had a LOT of homework and projects!  (Only 2 1/2 more weeks of school!)

Anyway, thanks for being patient Em!

sneak peek.

oliver.

I took a few pictures of my friend, Candice's dog while I was in Alexandria this weekend.  He is such a cute little dog and has such a personality!  Candice likes to torture him by dressing him up, so we had a little holiday photo shoot!

So classy and sophisticated in his bow tie from Aunty Mallory!

He definitely did not like the hood! Hahaha

Santa Paws!

It was quite the job to get him to pose, sit, stay, etc.  But, we had fun!  Can, I hope you can find some pics for your Christmas cards!

family fun.

I'm baaaack!  Two more weeks and my life will be back!  I.  Can't.  Wait!

Anyway, last weekend Chris and I went to see RAIN with Greg, Emily, Mark, and the newest Richmond residents, Robby and Sara!  RAIN sings Beatles songs and they are awesomeeee.  I highly recommend them!  My Dad told me on Sunday that they are not British.  Well, they had me fooled!  I actually remember thinking during the concert "I wonder how they spend their Christmas...perhaps in the English countryside in a nice cottage?"  I'm so weird.

Anyway, I wasn't supposed to have my camera in the theatre so all my pics were taken covertly which is why they are blurry!  (Couldn't take a chance using the flash...I was NOT going to hand over my camera to anyone!)

My brudda and seeester.

Yes, Mark. I did post this on my blog because you were not cooperating!

The theatre was sooo pretty.

On Sunday, we went to Em's house and Mom made stuffed shells for lunch!  Chris had to work :(

I am seriously obsessed with my niece.  I mean, how could you not be?!

Fat and happy :)

Mom making lunch!

Lucy loves her Grandpa!

She loves her piggy!

Bouncy bouncy bouncy!