Ho-Ho-Ho-ly Cow!

Happy Birthday to my lovely older sister, Janelle!  She turns 24 for the 4th time today.
Love you sis!

Phew!  Christmas has now passed, and our leave time is now spent.  Jody is on his way back to Norfolk, while I'm planning on sticking around until Friday.  We lucked out and scored some free tickets by giving up my seat on a flight out of Billings this morning.  Hello, future-free-vacation!

We had an awesome break in Billings.  We stayed at my parents house but were able to hang with both of our families quite a bit.  We spent a weekend with friends in a cabin in Red Lodge, took a day trip to Bozeman to catch some Mason/Smith/Sawyer (and Matt and Reese:)) time, and we did some shopping, eating, and lots of sleeping.  Christmas Eve we went to church, and then proceded to go back and forth between the two families for the next day and a half.  Tiring, but very fun!

Christmas felt bittersweet this year.  It was such a blessing to get to be home and spend the holidays with my husband AND our families.  At the same time, though, it was tough seeing my friends and realizing how much their lives are changing without me.  Jody and I both are incredibly homesick and were practically drooling over the mountains during our drive to Bozeman.  We're so ready to be home (have I even been gone long enough to be homesick yet?) and it's tough thinking that we still have another two and a half years to spend in the east coast.  On the flip side, I feel very encouraged when I think about how well we've adapted to such a big change and move.  It's been great out there, things are moving along and we're getting comfortable- with Virginia AND each other- before we were married, we had never been together for more than two weeks- talk about culture shock!
Anyway, the plan for 2011 is to embrace our situation and location.  I'm going to smile and be thankful for my wonderful husband and all of the great opportunities and people in our lives.  I'm going to find the good in the East Coast, and this year, I am planning on Kicking Virginia's Ass. 

Thanks to both of our families for letting us invade homes and vehicles during our trip home, and for all of the awesome gifts we were spoiled with!  It was really an wonderful Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Visitors

Back in October, we were lucky enough to get to see a couple of friendly faces as Jody's Aunt Freda and Uncle Jerry drove through during their East Coast vacation. We decided to meet up in Richmond for a day of climbing with some friends.

Aunt Freda is a fantastic photographer and carried her camera the entire day to catch some photos.  We brought a boom box and some old cds and were able to listen and chat while we enjoyed the fantastic weather and got some good climbing in. Afterwards, our starving bellies needed burgers- so we headed to none other than Red Robin where Jerry and Freda treated us to dinner and cheesecake factory for dessert!

In conclusion, we had an awesome day hanging out with some of our family.  Aunt Freda took some awesome pictures and it was great to get to see them. Here's some of her handi-work that we just recieved in the mail.

Thanks, Freda and Jerry!

Notice that I'm strapped to the tree?  I wanted a turn to belay, so they tied me down to ensure Jody wouldn't die and I wouldn't join him up on the rocks, should he take a spill. 

I took a spill.  Once.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: What a hunk!

I found this website in a magazine and thought it was a fun idea. Who doesn't love getting cookies? Kind of spendy, but it's a good cause and it's perfect for the Holidays- check it out!

http://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/

Happy Monday!