Quick Trip to California

My travel season for work has started for the year.  My first trip found me in West Virginia.  As suspected there wasn't much there to do but work.  However, on Wednesday I headed over to San Jose, CA for the last bit of work that needed to be done.  I had never been north of LA so I was excited to be in San Jose and even more excited to get to San Francisco.

The night I checked into the hotel was the same night FurCon (a furry convention) was getting started.  I didn't take any pictures (I felt weird even staring) and I didn't go down to the bar to hang out either (got in late and was super tired).  But it was fun to see them all around the hotel when I was checking in and then again when I was checking out in the morning.

After working Thursday I got in the car and drove up to the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was beautiful, the view was beautiful, the weather was beautiful.  I drove across, parked, and decided to walk across the bridge.  It was a long walk!  But I needed it after sitting so long all week.

Well with little time left before having to fly home I decided I needed to get to Jack in the Box (we don't have them back east) and have my 3 egg rolls and Coke.  With that I was ready to board my flight back to Baltimore and get home to all my boys.

Christmas Photo Booth

Pictures as promised.

New Years 2013

Shawn and I wanted to take it easy again this year.  We went out for sushi at our favorite place and came home to snuggle on the couch.  It was a perfect end/beginning to the year.  Thanks for a great year sweetie, I am excited for the next one!

PS I love that he doesn't care when I wear ginormous heels.

December

Now what happened in December? Well...

I traveled to Pittsburgh twice for work Christmas parties.  The big one was at the Omni William Penn Hotel, probably the nicest hotel in Pittsburgh (I was surprised that the food wasn't as good as the Sheraton's last year).  It was beautiful though and we had enough fun for one night.  We went to a champagne bar afterwards for a friends birthday.  I of course forgot my camera so no pics.  I need to upload the ones from the party photo booth (I promise I will...maybe).  Thank you Kennedy and Liz for letting Shawn, myself, and the boys crash at your place.

The day after the party Kennedy, Shawn, and I woke up early-ish to get down to Heinz field to tailgate before the Steeler/Charger game.  It was Shawn's first NFL game.  I was baffled that I had been to TONS more than he had thanks to grandpa's seasons tickets to the Chargers growing up.  He loved it and the view of the rivers is amazing.  We have made plans to go to the Alabama vs. Auburn game this next thanksgiving.  So if you are interested let us know.  We plant to spend thanksgiving down there and then go to the game.

We also celebrated Christmas together in our first place.  Even though there was some emptiness it was still special to be with each other.  I made a huge Christmas dinner for three, our friend Dino came over.  Around 3 a.m. I went to bed, Shawn decided to stay up all night (he hadn't wrapped a single gift).  We opened presents at 8 a.m. and then he and I crashed for a nice nap on the couch with the boys.  It was great to talk to my family on Skype and the phone but I sure did miss them!

Finally as December was ending we went to the farm Christmas party out at Deborah's.  It was great fun and my first time meeting a lot of Shawn's friends.  There was yummy food and great company (and even a little karaoke).

 So cold!

Already starting again.

It was a rough night and morning for us.

Chuy had his eyes or should I say nose on his gifts for weeks.  So excited Dad gave him the green light.

New toys!

Also interested in Dad's pork rinds and jerky.

My new cowgirl boots.  Shawn laughs at me for calling them that.

Too much for him and it was just us.

My four boys cuddles up on the couch Christmas morning.  The fourth is hiding in the blanket on Shawn's chest.

Yes even Clyde had a stocking and a present.  I cannot wait till he is huge.  I will teach him to open presents like I have taught the boys.

Farm Party

Shawn, Joe, and Byron

November

Has it really been almost 2.5 months since I last blogged?!  Sorry!

Well my camera broke in October so it was hard to get snap shots using Shawn's camera and remember to bring it to events but I did get a few pics to share with everyone.

The end of November we were super busy with Thanksgiving and M's birthday.  We had Thanksgiving dinner at Dina and Steve's house this year.  It was small, just us and their family, but it was great with tons of food!  Shawn cooked a 5 spice beer can turkey and I made mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and cookies.  We didn't get the perfect turkey this year but we will not be discouraged.

On the 30th we celebrated M's 11th birthday.  We had a small family party Friday night and then informed her that the weekend was hers.  She got to choose everything we did, ate, and watched.  Let me tell you I cannot keep up with an eleven year's idea of a weekend.  We ate lots of cookie dough cake, corn dogs, bacon, toaster strudels, and carne asada tacos (thank goodness), we played Monopoly with credit cards, Just Dance 4 on the move, and some more Just Dance (kicked my butt), stayed up till 4 a.m., and went shopping multiple times!  It was a great weekend but I was ready for some rest Monday night.

I cannot remember anything else exciting in November to report on.

Sparkler Candles...always fun.

We wanted to surprise her with a room full of balloons.  Shawn was mad I only blew up two.  Doesn't he know I have asthma?!

She was surprised and loved it!

This year was games!

Getting their groove on.

Lunch with Ms. Susanna

This is before I realize how much I will regret buying that game.

Christmas crafts began!