Christmas 2013

We had a beautiful Christmas day together as a family.  Shawn, the boys, and I opened presents and our stocking surprises.  After presents we made our favorite breakfasts, fat kid sandwich for me and a fried bologna sandwich for Shawn.  We spent the rest of the the day watching movies, napping, eating leftovers, and then we watched more movies, napped, and ate all over again.

We enjoyed talking to all our families on the phone and FaceTime.  We are lucky we can spend just a little bit of time, even if virtual, with our families across the country.

Christmas Eve!

 Waiting sort of patiently for dad.

 Santa came!

 Walter knows there are GS cookies in the next box.

 Even Clyde came downstairs to open some gifts!

 Homemade Gift: Sandwich

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve Dinner

One thing I have enjoyed since being with Shawn is the traditions we are starting.  One happens to be Christmas Eve dinner with family and friends.  I suppose in our case friends that have become family!

This year we had a full house!  The Lee family, Dino, Jazz, and Melissa were able to join us for an evening of food and games.

I decided to make a more Thanksgiving-esque dinner since we were away for Thanksgiving and didn't get to make our famous maple glazed turkey with bourbon gravy.  Along with the turkey and gravy we had ciabatta and chestnut stuffing, green beans with red pearl onions, rolls, and apple crisp with ice cream for dessert.  Everyone was fat and happy!

Since I was super busy in the kitchen I didn't take a ton of pictures.  Here are the few that we actually had…

 Dina brought the boys "paw warmers".  They were really Alabama baby booties…do you think she is dropping a hint?

She bought us the best game for terrible people…we are so excited :) 

I really wish I had more pictures but sadly that was it!

Cruise with Me Baby

This year we went to my company's holiday party in DC instead of Pittsburgh.  Kennedy was in town for as assessment so he was also able to come to this one and keep Shawn company.

We took a small dinner boat cruise around the Potomac River.  It was nice to see the lights of DC before the holiday festivities really began.  A small party compared to Pittsburgh but it was still fun to dress up and go out!

Alabama Thanksgiving

This year we went down to Alabama for Thanksgiving.  It was great to be around family on a holiday.  We enjoyed much food and fun.  It was great to spend time with Shawn's family and get to know them better.  After having dinner with Charlie and Mama Lynn we went to see Mama and Murph to have a second Thanksgiving dinner.  We were so disgustingly full!

Shawn's grandma, Mama Lynn, and Charlie

Two plates of food at the first dinner!

Mama's red velvet cake!

We stayed the long weekend and enjoyed more food and family.  Shawn took me the Catfish House where I could not stop shoveling food into my face.  It was so delicious!  We also spend a lot of time with Murph and Mama.  It was so great to hear the funny stories from Shawn's childhood.

 Starters

A little of everything…

Gracie!  Believe it or not Shawn's mother spoils her babies more than I do.

Mama and Shawn

Back to studying before we even left Alabama

Iron Bowl 2013

Saturday we went to the Iron Bowl with Mama Lynn and Charlie.  It was the most exciting game I have ever been to.  The atmosphere at a college game doesn't even compare to the NFL.  I can't wait till we go back next year!  Shawn said it is something we can definitely make a tradition.

Even though the outcome wasn't what we wanted it was still fun!

 How does he think this is a smile?

 Charlie and Mama Lynn

 So much fun!

 The men folk.

So close to the field!