Happy Holidays

Well I really can't believe that another year has almost come and gone. It has been a great year, with tons of heartfelt memories of Corey, and the boys. Also the September 6th engagement of Corey and myself made the year one to not forget. The holidays flew by and really I just don't know where time has went.

Christmas Eve the four of us went to the 6:00 children's church service with Grandma, Pa Pa, Great Grandma, Great Grandpa and Uncle Dave. We had a very nice service followed by dinner at Grandma and Pa Pa's. After dinner the kids opened their presents first and then went to play with them. Then the adults exchanged some gifts. It was a great night of awesome company, good wine and lots of laughs. I love the tradition of getting together with my family on Christmas Eve, we have done if for years and years and I love it. Christmas Morning we woke up with the boys, and had a great time seeing what Santa brought, then the boys opened presents from Corey and me. After they were done with all of our presents, we hung out for awhile, then we went over to Corey's brother Chris' house to spend time with him and his Family. Bryce (Corey's brothers son) is Braden's age so they play nice together. We had a wonderful breakfast brunch at their house and opened presents from them as well as Corey's mom. We hung out there until mid-afternoon. Then Corey & I went to my grandma and grandpa's house while the boys went to open presents with their mom. At my grandmas we got to enjoy the company of my Aunt Jane, Uncle Dave, Claudia, Brendan, as well as my sister and parents. We all hung out and ate and just chatted. Corey and I are very grateful to have such kind family to spend the holidays with and are very grateful for each and everyone of them.

Now as the year rounds to an end, it is crazy to think that our wedding is in a little less then 3 months from now. The day after Christmas was exactly 3 months. I think the next 3 months are going to fly by, this next month all of my bridesmaids are going to get together to do their dress fitting. I am beyond excited to see their dresses on them in my colors. One of my bridesmaids Amanda Perry will be in town for that and my bridal shower thrown by Amanda Fernandez and my mom. I am very excited to get to see Amanda Perry since she lives in NC we don't see each other as much as I would like so it will be a treat to see her in a few weeks. With all of that just a few short weeks from now I have a lot to look forward to.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year. Corey and I are going to go to a dinner the two of us on New Year's eve followed by a get together at our friend Chris & Steph's place. I hope everyone enjoys their last few days of 2009 and I am beyond excited to welcome 2010 with big wide open arms. 2010 is going to be my year, with the wedding and March and lots of other exciting things happening. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

A Visit to Maryland

This past Sunday December 6th we had the pleasure of going to Hagerstown, Maryland and visiting my Aunt Chris and Uncle Tom, along with my cousin Jenny, her husband Chad, daughter Audrey and my other cousin Liz, her husband Steve and her son Drew and new baby Tyler. It was truly great to see everyone. My dad and mom rode with Corey, the boys and myself and Heather and her boyfriend Lane drove up as well. Unfortunately my brother and his family couldn't make it this time. The kids all played very well together, and even Nathan was content playing with the younger kids toys. My Aunt cooked a wonderful meal and we spent the afternoon eating, hanging out and catching up. Enjoy all the pictures below, I took a lot of the new little one. There is something just irresistible about babies, so I couldn't help myself. :o)

Things to be THANKFUL FOR

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone, and man November flew by. This year as Thanksgiving approached, I spent a little time reflecting on things in my life I can be thankful for. As I started counting them, I learned real fast that I truly blessed for all the things in my life. Here are ten of the things I am very thankful for:

1. I am thankful to have a loving fiance, who tries hard to make me laugh even when I am trying to be mad, and really want to do anything but laugh. He understands me and knows what my faces mean even if I try to hide my feelings. He truly has been the best thing to happen to me.

2. I am thankful that Corey is such an amazing Dad and has brought two adorable, fun and loving little boys into my life.

3. I am thankful to have completely wonderful parents, who love and support me through thick and thin and every change in my life whether its a job or falling in love with a man with two kids, has been completely behind me and opens their arms and embraces all things.

4. I am thankful to have met Jenn (my boss) in a class, and by chance have her be looking for an employee out more by my house. She has given me an amazing opportunity to on a daily basis feel like I am making a difference in these children with Autism's lives and their families.

5. I am thankful to have learned that you don't need 100 of acquaintances, but it is much more valuable to have a few friends you can count on one hand that will be there when your Grandfather gets hospitalized, you are having a bad day or you just want to giggle at something funny that happen to you. I am beyond blessed to have had some very close friends since Middle School and High School and am so lucky to have them to share my upcoming wedding with me and all the planning I have been going through.

6. I am thankful to have an amazing family who I am unbelievably close with from my Godfather in NY, to Aunts & Uncles & Cousins in PA and MD, to all my Aunts & Uncles Locally, to my brother his family, and my sister, I couldn't ask for a better family and am lucky to have them.

7. I am thankful to be at a spot in my life where I can look back and say man it was fun going out and partying nightly when I was younger, but at the same time *sigh* to myself and know I wouldn't trade movie nights, cuddles, wine and staying in with Corey for anything.

8. I am thankful to be starting a new chapter in my life and marrying someone who I can see myself growing old with in March.

9. I am thankful to have a warm place to live, plenty of food to eat, and love all around me. Even if bills stink at times, and there are weeks that money is tight I wouldn't trade it for the world. I know we are very fortunate and there are people who would die to take our places.

10. I am thankful to have two crazy dogs, who although at times they drive me nuts, I wouldn't trade them for the world. They are so loving and great with our family.

So those are some of the things I am thankful for, Thanksgiving this year we held at Corey and My house. We had my parents over, my sister and her boyfriend, and Corey's brother Chris, his wife Jane and their little boy Bryce. It was a great thanksgiving. Corey made a delicious turkey, sweet potato's, we also had appetizers, stuffing and then my mom brought bread/muffins, green bean casserole, corn casserole, Jane brought mashed potato's and my sister brought 2 pie's. Everything turned out very well and there were no huge problems. We all drank wine, and hung out from 1 to about 6. It was great to have part of Corey's family with my family and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves. Below is a little movie clip with a few pictures, unfortunately in my attempt to be a good hostess we somehow didn't get any pictures of my mom or Corey's sister-in-law Jane, although I promise you they were at our house. :o)

On that note I can't believe it is December 1st, Corey and I haven't even started shopping for the boys. Other then the boys we are going to keep Christmas very low key, with the wedding in March we have lots still to save for. We have wedding bands to buy, honeymoon to save for, rehearsal dinner, along with a few other odds and ends related to the wedding. I will just be glad to spend time with the family during the holidays. :o) Hope everyone is getting in the holiday spirit, I know we are going to try and put our tree up this week. Happy Holidays to everyone and enjoy every moment like its the last.