Mary and I spent NYE at Megan & Bob's house in Volo.  It was our first time seeing their house since we couldn't make it to their housewarming party in October.  It was great!  Most of our friends were there, and we missed the ones we didn't get to see.  Hopefully everyone had a safe and fun time last night!

I was just thinking yesterday that it had been a bit since I had blogged and wondered if the same was true for Jack.  When I was at my parents' house yesterday, my mom commented that she had been "thanking the troops" for a week now and was ready for a new blog.  Thanks for the prompting and reminder, Mom! :)

Jack and I really enjoyed our first Christmas together as husband and wife and had a wonderful time with our families.  We spent Christmas Eve with my family at my parents' house where there was tons of great food and lots of family all gathered together.  We were the first to arrive early on in the day to help set everything up and we were also the last to leave as we were trying to help clean up.  A good time was had by all!  Although Jack has always fit in with our family, this year it seemed like he had been there all along as he answered the door, got things for my mom, sat with my grandparents', etc.  I know he has been comfortable with them all for years now, but it seemed even more evident now that we are married.  It was a wonderful feeling for me.

On Christmas Day, we went to Mass at St. John Cantius together and then headed to his sister's condo for Christmas festivities with his family.  Once again, a great time was had by all with lots of food and good company.  Jack and I headed home and had our own little Christmas and exchanged our gifts for each other. 

We spent the Friday after Christmas furniture shopping, and although we saw a lot, nothing caught our eye enough to purchase just yet.  We did find some Christmas decorations and such on clearance, so I was happy about that.  The next day however, I had a miserable day dealing with what I think was food poisoning from our dinner out the night before, and unfortunately, it lingered for the next few days.  Yesterday was the first day where I seemed to eat some normal food, although my appetite still isn't totally back. 

Yesterday was also the day where my mom and I finally made "party mix", as I have had a taste for it for years now, but we never have been able to squeeze it in.  It is similar to Chex Mix, but is my mom's own version and boy is it good!!  Jack had never had it so I told him he was in for a real treat, and after trying it, he agreed.  YUM!

We wish all of you a happy new year and all the best in 2009!

Today brings back a lot of memories for me. One year ago today was the day that Jack proposed to me at the Planetarium and what started a whirlwind year for us.  Gosh, it is hard to believe that in the past 365 days, we were able to accomplish all that we did.  In looking back, it started with the engagement, but then led to a birthday/engagement outing with friends, tickets to Phantom of the Opera for my birthday, Christmas with family, New Years with friends and the crazy road of wedding planning.  And if that wasn't enough for us, we each fund raised $1800 and walked 39 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. 

There have been many highs this year - our wedding obviously, purchasing our first home, and unfortunately some lows in the passing on of some family members and various illnesses for those that are close to us, but it is great to look back now and say that we accomplished it all -- that despite the numerous breakdowns I had, the times where I didn't think we'd get it all done -- we made it!  But I am not foolish enough to think that we are superheros and did it all.  A huge thank you to our parents, friends and family for being there at each turn of the way this year.  We could not have done it without you and I am unbelievably grateful to you all. 

I look forward to what is to come for us and getting to return the favor to all of you - to get to be there for you just like you were for us.  And thanks to my now husband, for making this an unforgettable year!

Mary and I (mostly Mary) started decorating our Christmas Tree last night.  I have to say, I've always just quickly wrapped strings of lights around the tree and thought that's just how it was done.  Mary, however, is a pro.  She doesn't just walk around the tree and rest the string of lights on the branches.  Oh no, she wraps the string around individual branches.  "It gives it some depth," she says.  Admittedly, the tree looks WAY better with this approach.  You just have to have some patience and dedication. 

After she got the lights on (I helped...kind of), we hung some non-specific ornaments like icicles, glass balls, etc.  Then she hung some of her own personal ornaments.  I have yet to find mine, although I think they may still be at my parents' house.  Having lived in four different places since I graduated from college, I'm sure they're in a box somewhere.

Most of the time while Mary was working, Bentley just sat and watched.  Although he looks sad in this picture, he really was enjoying himself.

About a week ago, Mary and I attempted the first bit of Christmas decorating by attempting to put lights on our balcony railing.  I say attempt because we had to sort through several strings to find decent, working sets.  Then we had to figure out how to put them on the railing without having to wind them in and out of the bars.  We opted to go from top to bottom, wrapping the railing vertically.

Although this worked (for the most part), it was quite tedious.  I also ran into a problem a few days later where one of the strings was shorting out, and I had to replace it.  Of course, the new string wasn't the same length as the old string, so I had to get a little creative!  Afterwards, I hung up some icicle lights on the inside of our windows that overlook the street.  Mary also did a little decorating inside (after a mini-marathon of Christmas shopping).  Nice, little touches that really make it feel like Christmas!  I'm assuming the next task will be decorating the tree.

On a side note, when I was taking this picture, I happened to think the lights reflected on the (un-salted) icy road was a cool scene.