Ten

Day 10-Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, hyped

This is a hard one for me because the music I listen to isn't defined by my mood. When I am bored I get on the computer and spent to much time on facebook, blog stalking you, or looking at vacations or other random things, I don't turn on music. When I'm happy I call Mike and my mom to tell them the reason for my excitement or happiness. When I'm sad I cry, I don't turn on music. When I'm upset I work my problem out or simply stop thinking about why I'm upset, I don't turn on music. When I am hyper... I'm usually with Mike or my friends and I'm not usually listening to music.

However, I LOVE music. I love to sing it! When I am in the car I turn on my favorite country (yes I am a redneck at heart) CD's (since my town has NO country music radio stations.) My favorites are anything Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Emerson Drive or Taylor Swift. I make my own harmonies and sing my way to work and home. I love singing some good country twang.

When I am at home cleaning you will usually find me listening to my Glee sound track or a random assortment of Broadway show tunes (Wicked, Phantom, Fiddler, and Bye Bye Birdie are some favorites.) When I am home alone I love being a diva. I sing with the biggest voice I can muster, I pretend I'm on stage having my big moment and sometimes I even stop cleaning for my big finish... I'm sure my neighbors love me.

On Sundays I put on my EFY and other church music (usually not the mo tab.) As I make Sunday dinner I sing beautiful prayers to my Father in Heaven. It is usually accompanied with tears and gratitude as music is a way I feel I receive inspiration and answers to prayers. For me singing these songs rededicated me to livings a more Christ centered life and makes me feel gratitude for the blessing I have received.

When I feel like singing I turn on the CD of my High School Choirs tour to Europe. I wish I knew how to put a few songs on my blog so you could hear how good we really were. The music is incredible, the harmonies impressive for a small high school choir and the lyrics are almost all religious which is cool. It also brings back memories of singing in beautiful cathedrals, Abbeys and with the Vienna Boys Choir.

(The Delphian Choral and the Vienna Boys Choir. I'm on the first one of the first girls on the right behind/between the first two boys on the right.)

(Singing at the "The Sounds of Strasbourg {where the Sound of Music takes place} I'm the first girl on the front row on the right and my brother is the first boy on the front row on the left.)

And finally when I am at work babysitting I sing Disney Princess songs ALL three hours. Both the little boy and the girl love the songs and insist I sing them. It is kind of funny actually how much they love them and listening to them on a CD isn't good enough. Luckily we all know how much I love the Disney Princesses, so it doesn't bother me. When their grandma visits she request that I sing the songs and now has even moved into Broadway show tunes. It is slightly awkward being put on the spot to sing and I feel like I can't say no. Luckily I am comfortable enough with my voice that I don't mind at all. I'll sing all day if someone sits there and praises my work :)

Nine

Day 9-Something you're proud of in the past few days

Well in the last few days I have been EXTREMELY PROUD of my husband!! We found out on Tuesday (after a sleepless night) that he passed level I of the CFA!! Not only did he pass it he DOMINATED IT!! Only 36% of the people who took the test in December passed. They give you a break down of the ten sections of the test and in what % range you were in for each section. For 8 of the 10 sections Mike was in the highest level (70%) or above. The two sections he scored lower on were worth the least amount of points. One of these sections was alternate investments, which is actually what Mike does at work. lol. It was only worth 8 points so he probably missed one of the two questions on that topic.

He has been a great example to me on how to be dedicated and to preserver. He spent about 400 hours studying for this test (the majority of those hours put in over a 3 month time span. There were a lot of early mornings, long nights and whole Saturdays spend in preparation for this test. So yesterday he started studying for level II (there are 3 levels to the CFA) which he will take in June. So for the next 5 months I won't see him at all on Saturdays and he won't get home till after 8 or 9 at night since he will be studying. But that is how it goes. There are a lot of other couple who have it much worse so I can't complain to much. He is a stud and regardless of if he passes level two in June I'll be proud of the effort he puts forth studying for it and persevering till he passes all three level!

In celebration of Mikes accomplishment we went out to dinner to an awesome Hibachi Grill in Darien called Fuji of Japan. We were accompanied by our friends the Johnson's. (Ben and Cynda know and understand just how hard this test is. Ben and Mike have spent many, many hours studying for it together and will resume studying together for level II in April after Ben's tax season is over.) Our Bachelor friends Scott and Moroni also joined us (both of there wives are out of town visiting family.) It was a wonderful evening with amazing food and friends. The perfect way to celebrate all of Mike's hard work!

Yumm... the meats

Cynda and I

Making our fried rice (which was AMAZING!)

Happy early Valentines day

Scott and Moroni

Ben and Cynda

We ended the night with this amazing fried ice cream. It tasted like it was straight from a carnival (so naturally I enjoyed every bit of it!)

This is a quick cool video of the onion ring of fire...

Eight

Day 8-Short term goals for this month and when you'll accomplish them

For the past year I have been serving as an advisor in the Young Women's organization. I've spent most of my time with the beehives (12-13 year olds) teaching on Sundays. This past Sunday I was called as 2nd Counselor in the YW Presidency and will continue working with the beehives in a more personal way. Since receiving this new calling I have had my desire to earn my personal progress award (again.) renewed. How can I tell the girls what an amazing program this is and how it will bring them nearer to their Father in Heaven if I'm not actively working on it. I've competed about 4 goals so far this month.

The goal I have been working on for the past two weeks is Individual Worth #3 : "Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 and 121:45. Do all you can to build others and make them feel of worth. Every day for two weeks notice the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. Acknowledge them verbally or in writing. In your journal write what you have learned about the worth of individuals and how your own confidence grows when you build others."

I have been doing it for the past two weeks and should complete it tomorrow. However, I think I want to work on it another week. Building people up is a wonderful skill to have and I want to really polish it before checking it off.

I have to take a minute to tell anyone who is reading how wonderful the personal progress program is. ALL of you should get your own PP book (or go here for an online version) and start working on it. You don't have to be a young women to receive the award. I can't tell you how much closer I feel to my Savior when I am working consistently on my PP. The goals you set, the scriptures and talks you read and the experiences you will have are truly a way to walk beside the Savior. As a teenager my testimony was formed by doing PP and as a young adult it is being strengthened and fortified! I know my Savior lives, He knows me personally, He loves me. He wraps his arms around me when I'm a depressed, lonely, sad or struggling. He rejoices in my successes and righteous decisions. He is the way back to live with our Heavenly Father and Himself one day and I will do all I can to live my life as he did his.

On a slightly unrelated note my other goal this month is to go to the gym 3 days a week and to do push up/sit ups every morning. I've been doing this for the past few weeks but want to continue it in the month of Feb.

Seven

Day 7-A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

This is my someone who has had the biggest impact on my life, naturally. He is my world. I love this guy! He constantly motivates me to be a better person. He gets up earlier than he needs to so that he can read scripture to me while I pack my lunch. He is extremely dedicated at anything he puts his mind to (CFA, church calling, work ect.) He has taught me about the stock market, financials and investing. If I ask him to pick something up at the grocery, make dinner or clean the kitchen for me he never asks why or tells me he doesn't have time. He makes the time to help me with whatever I need. He writes me love notes/poems and leaves me little treats often. His sense of humor is my favorite and we constantly find ourselves laughing at the silliest things. He lets me have cats even though he is probably allergic to them. He is completely supportive of me with my job(s) and my calling. He took me to DISNEY WORLD... He is just so incredibly awesome. I mean he really is the PERFECT match for me. We balance each other out perfectly and I am so lucky/blessed to have him as my EC (eternal companion!) I love you Mikes!

People have a profound affect on our lives yes, but I know that being a member of the church has had the greatest affect on me. I feel so blessed to have been born into the gospel. To always know who I was, especially in high school. I hated high school! I got teased and challenged a lot because I didn't drink, party, have inappropriate relations with guys or use foul language. But I got through it all because at the end of the day I had an eternal perspective. I knew that I was a daughter of God, I had a divine purpose and was loved by my father in Heaven. As I've grown older my testimony, faith and relationship with my Savior has only increased and intensified. I'm grateful to have somewhere to turn when I feel like the world is weighing on my shoulders. So grateful and so blessed!

Six

Day 6: Your favorite Disney Princess and why?

I have always though Cinderella was one of the prettiest Princesses... mostly because she has blue eyes and blond hair like me. Her story is a good one though. How she over came all the adversity that life threw at her and still kept her chin up and believed in herself and her dreams... I love the song

"A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you're fast asleep

In dreams you lose your heartaches

Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday

Your rainbow will come smiling thru

No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing

the dream that you wish will come true"

Isn't that beautiful? I have always loved this song. It makes me happy even when I'm a little sad or overwhelmed. Maybe my belief in this song is why I need so much sleep at night so I can dream. I will admit that even as a 23 year old I day dream about what it would be like to be a "princess" in some far away kingdom with Mike as my prince charming... one day!

Ok, Ok... Today was actually suppose to be my favorite Super Hero and why. However,I'm not a huge super hero fan, but if I have to pick...

...it would be Batman. More specifically the Batman from the newer batman movies. I just watched the Dark Night again the other night so I have been thinking about him and how much he cares about the people in Gothem City and I think it is cool. I also think he is smart and pretty studly. Maybe it is just because I love those two movies so much that he ends up being my favorite. I also really like Iron Man, those movies are sweet also!

Blizzard # 3

Well this is what I woke up to this morning... another 15.5 inches of snow. This is Blizzard # 3 of the winter... I'm sooo over the snow!! Here is a little tour of what you might see if you were around the Stamford area this morning!

Yes, that does say 15.5 inches... sick

We had a small pathway to civilization

Where the sidewalk ends...

At least its pretty to look at

One of the main roads in Stamford still snowy at 9am

I tried to measure the size of the mounds of snow but it wouldn't go down all the way. You can see it is over 3ft.

Our condo behind all the snow covered trees

This was our task at hand this morning. You can't really see it but my car on the end is kind of stuck behind the huge mound.

We also aren't able to take out our trash...

Mike and I's hard work shoveling around and moving my car.

You can see how big this mound is ... maybe 10 feet?

So happy that after an hour and a half we are finally done shoveling ourselves out!

Bad news: more snow tomorrow night and Saturday ... AND another storm next week... is there no rest for the weary?!?

Five

Day 5-A picture of somewhere you've been

This is Grand Cayman Island. We went here on our cruise last year. We had so much fun going to sting ray city and swimming with the Dolphins. I love the islands of the Caribbean. I CAN NOT WAIT to get back there in 46 days when we go on our cruise!! Thats right! I convinced Mike (it wasn't hard) that we needed a vacation and got a great deal on a balcony room. We'll be cruising again with Princess (we highly recommend them.) This time we are doing the Southern Caribbean leaving from San Juan and stopping in St. Thomas, Grenada, Dominica, Bonaire and Aruba. It will be fantastic and as I mentioned I CAN'T WAIT!! (Can you tell I'm excited? It is one of the only things I think about.)

Four

Day 4-A habit that you wish you didn't have

That is easy. Watching my soap. I've been watching it on and off since I was 5. I know its not the most uplifting thing but I think I'm addicted to the story lines and plots and with DVR I can fast forward through any questionable scenes. And that is all justification. One day I will shake this habit for good... but I'm guessing it's not anytime soon. DON'T JUDGE ME!

Three

Day 3-A picture of you and your friends

This is a really hard one because I don't think I've ever had all of my friends in the same place at the same time let a lone take a picture. So I did a few pictures.

1) This picture was taken on Christmas eve and is just a few of the many girls in the area that I consider friends. I'm so grateful for all the ladies I go to church with who have made me feel loved, given me advice, laughed with me and inspired me! I wish I had a picture of all of you!
2) We can't forget about those who have moved from CT. The Stokes and Moffits (and the Johnsons but luckily they still live here) played a huge part in making us feel like we belonged when we first moved here. This is a picture of our first trip with them. We went to Boston and Salem for a weekend. And 6 of us shared a hotel room. It was the perfect way to jump start an awesome friendship. WE MISS YOU GUYS!!
3) These are my two best friends from High School Sara and Michelle. I keep in pretty good touch with them but we don't get to see each other very often. When we do it is great because we pick up where we left off an its like we've never been apart.
4) And finally my 204 roommates. I don't have a picture of all 10 of us that cycled in and out but I figured 7 was pretty good. These ladies were the best to room with. We kept each other inline by having roommate prayer and scripture study. Really awesome girls who I wish I lived closer to! (You guys to Jill, Julie, Becca and Riss)

I have been so blessed to have such great friends who truly lift and inspirer me!

Two.

Day 2-The meaning behind your Blog name

I guess the name of our blog is the Keeshkabobs. That was a nick name Mikes good friend Dave gave us when we were dating. Like Bradgulina but for us. Mike and his friend Dave love to give people nicknames. Somehow they both called each other "Bob" (weird right?) Anyways, Mike was Bob and on our first date I got the nickname Keesh. So combine the two and instead of shish kabobs you get Keeshkabobs! Kind of random but it works I guess.

One.

Day 1-Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

1) I have about 20 pairs of fuzzy socks. I can't sleep without them in the winter and am sad in the Summer when it is to hot to wear them.

2) I hate that I love to watch TV as much as I do. Even with a busy schedule I still find time to watch my soap opera and at least 2 TV shows a night. NOT GOOD!

3) I love to decorate my home but get frustrated that I don't quite have the "eye" for it that I'd like.

4) When I go away for vacation or even a weekend trip I miss my cats terribly.

5) I hate to shower and do my hair (Don't worry. I do it I just don't enjoy it.)

6) I follow the rules in exactness. I don't like to do anything I shouldn't (ie jaywalk, speed, ect.)

7) I am a 6th generation Ohioan and I enjoy visiting but I NEVER want to live there.

8) I am always colder than everyone else. Even on summer evenings I often wear a light jacket and jeans.

9) Speaking of jeans I hate them. I can't find the "perfect" pair. I don't have the legs for leggings and skirts and dresses are to cold for the winter... so I'm stuck with them.

10) I would love to be a travel agent!

11) In the winter I sleep with about 4 blankets on me, I love the weight and warmth of them.

12) I love making lists (ie- things to do list, grocery list ect.)

13) I HATE cleaning the bathroom!

14) I hate clutter and things piling up along the walls in my bedroom. If it doesn't have a place it need to be given/thrown away.

15) I love to sing. My High School choir was an exchange choir with the Vienna Boys choir. They came and sang at our school and we went to Europe and sang with them at their school. Very Cool!

That was really hard to think of 15 random things about myself.

Stolen

Since it is the winter and there is nothing to exciting going on I thought this 30 day challenge would be fun. It will be an easy way for me to keep up with blogging and eliminate any more rants or complaining. We'll see if I can stick with is!

30 Day Challenge
Getting to know me.

Each day of the month, write a blog post according to these guidelines below:

Day 1-Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 2-The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 3-A picture of you and your friends
Day 4-A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 5-A picture of somewhere you've been
Day 6-Favorite super hero and why
Day 7-A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 8-Short term goals for this month and when you'll accomplish them
Day 9-Something you're proud of in the past few days
Day 10-Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, hyped
Day 11-Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12-How you found out about blogger and why you have one
Day 13-A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14-'A picture of you and your family
Day 15-Put your ipod or shuffle on-first 10 songs that play
Day 16-Another picture of yourself
Day 17-Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18-Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19-Nicknames you have and why you have them
Day 20-Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
Day 21-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22-What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23-Something you crave for a lot
Day 24-A letter to your parents
Day 25-What I would find in your bag
Day 26-What do you think about your friends
Day 27-Why you are doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28-A picture of you from last year and now-how have you changed?
Day 29-In this past month, what have you learned?
Day 30-Your favorite song

Kristin the ...

... Dictator, nazi, disciplinarian, strict, meany.

This is how I think small children look at me these days. I tell you what my patience, tolerance and temperament has never been more tried than in the last 3 weeks. These poor kids. First we must understand that at the school I work we expect a lot out of our student... even our pre-k class (which is where I am.) Sometimes I have to remind myself they are only 4 and 5. At any rate I'm constantly telling the kids "stop picking your nose, cover your mouth when you sneeze/cough, criss-cross apple sauce, on your bottom, raise your hand, quiet walking feet, listen to the teacher, be kind to your friends, eat your snack/lunch, put your toys away, quiet, Quiet, QUIET!!! I seriously think I am going to lose my mind people. Don't get me wrong I really love my job. I have many of those rewarding moments where I get a hug, a picture, or told that they love me ect. But I'm a little stressed. I think the straw that is breaking the camels back is going straight from the pre-k class to my babysitting job. The little girl (3) and boy (2) that I watch are the ones I really feel bad for. Mostly because by the time I get to them I have .5% of my patience left. I don't let them get away with anything. For example tonight (this is the cause of my current pointless rant) putting them to bed was a nightmare, and mostly because I had no tolerance for whining (and baby girl knows how to whine.) this is how our story unfolds....

Diego was finally over and it was time to go to bed. Naturally they BOTH wanted to turn of the TV. Baby boy (B) was closest so I let him go first Baby Girl (G) decided she should have gone first and lost it. I told her if she could stop crying she could have a turn (I do not reward temper tantrums with the object of their desire.) After I tell her this, she screams at the top of her lungs... so no turning of the tv for her. I tell her the choice she made was not a good one and she can't have a turn. We go to get milk... she crys. I tell her whinny girls don't get stories... she cries louder (my tolerance is at -50% right now.) We go upstairs I start our routine... she cries... for no reason other than to make noise. I calm her down. We finally read both stories. I think all is well... its time for songs... I hate song time. Mainly because I feel like a puppet, vocal strings being pulled to sing whatever 3 songs they like (always princess) if I sing to fast, or HEAVEN FORBID I skip/forget a word or sing a phrase out of place I get stopped and told I'm doing it wrong (pet-pev: little children telling me I am doing something wrong.) Can you see where this is going? I get stopped. I tell her not to inturupt because it isn't poliet. If she makes that choice again I will have to leave. I continue, she interrupts, I leave. I change B's diapers. He is being an angle (thank goodness.) She has calmed down I return and sing the rest of the songs... I leave, she cries because she wanted me to sing more.. but I couldn't handle any more. I rock B to sleep (thank you H.F. for an easy night with him.) I muster ever ounce of patience I can find and go back to see her. She is still crying. I kindly say sweet things to her... she calms down. I leave, feeling some emotion inside I can't figure out. It is like a mixture of guilt, frustration, love. I want to go home and crash but I have to stay till mom and dad get home from dinner... (Because I need to work more hours? lol.)

Anyways MOM'S HOW DO YOU DO IT? Am I abnormal? Do you ever have these nights? These emotions? Do you feel like the meanest person in the world? Or am I just to strict? I know, I know.... it is different with your own kids... but I'm not sure. I truly care for these kids and the kids at school but they can sure push my buttons. How will I ever survive motherhood? I need to leave the field of child care and education and go into... well something that encouraged motherhood rather than terrifies me of it! I need some serious insight, advice, encouragement, anything that will help me hold it together while I am doing both of these jobs.

Haha. I get a good laugh though when I think of the terrified looks on my spirit childrens faces as they watch me try to care for these kids down her. They are probably going to the spirit children placement office and begging for a repeal so they don't get stuck with me... I don't blame them!

Americas Got Talent?

I feel like I have posted this video before but I can't find it on my blog. Anyways the coolest thing happened today. My brother Andrew got a call from a lady from "America's Got Talent." She found his video on my sisters youtube page, watched it and loved it! She is sending it to the producers of the show and the will decide if he gets a private audition for the show. How cool is that? The show starts filming in March so I'm sure he will hear something in the next few weeks! My little brother is practically famous!

And if the lady was on my sisters youtube page she must have been watching videos of her as well. She actually asked Andrew if he sang with KT and he said he was a solo act. But anyway I do have to say my sister has a pretty good voice to. As I've mentioned before she writes her own song but hasn't posted any of them online yet. At any rate here is a video of her singing her lungs out!

Just so you know...

My friend Natalie made most of these questions up and put them on her blog awhile ago. I don't have a lot to blog about these days (well I could complain about how busy I am, but no one likes that, or cares.) So I remembered these questions and Mike and I did them this afternoon. So enjoys and Thanks Natalie!

1) If you had $5000 you had to spend today, what would you buy?

M: Invest in the stock market

K: Buy a trip to Europe (Italy and France)

2) Dream car would be...

M: Don't really have one. But if I have to pick then an '83 Mustang (It sounds cool)

K: Lexus LX

3) Favorite restaurant

M: Olive Garden

K: Mama Mexico

4) Celebrity Crush

M: Giada D'Laurentis

K: Ryan Reynolds

5) My Biggest Pet Peve

M: Slow Drivers

K: When people turn into the wrong lane/ fake people.

6) If I could change one body part it would be

M: I'd have my bleached blond hair back

K: Thighs

7) You have 4 kids, name them:

M: Dayton, Mayson, Kayden, Brielle

K: Dayton, Brooklyn, Mayson, Kamryn

(I guess we'll probably have a mayson and dayton since we both love those names. Hopefully we don't have all girls)

8) Best candy in the whole world is

M: Twix

K: Lindt Cookies and Cream truffles

9) Best soda pop is

M: Dr. Pepper

K: Root Beer

10) If you have to wear one color forever it would be

M: Green

K: Pink

11) What do you love about your spouse?

M: Beauty, Diligent in responsibilities (housework, calling, work taking care of me.

K: Athlete, Comedian, Hard Worker and Kind Heart

12) What do you love most about yourself?

M: Athletic Ability

K: "Pleasing Personality" (ability to make friends easily)

13) What's one thing you want to change about your life?

M: Be more goal oriented

K: Follow through with all my goals

14) What is your favorite TV Show

M: The Office

K: Modern Family

15) What was the happiest moments in life (excluding our wedding)

M: Won State Tennis Title

K: Taking Mike to Disney World for a week

16) If you could go anywhere in the world for a Vacation were would it be

M: Australia

K: Jerusalem or Greece

17) If money wasn't an problem what would your dream job be?

M: Sports Center as an announcer

K: Work at Disney World

18) Favorite Board Game

M: Acquire

K: Settlers of America

19) Guilty Pleasure

M: Cuddling with the cats

K: I watch Days of Our Lives (soap opera) daily

20) On a scale of 1-10 how much did you dislike this (1 being you liked it 10 being you hated it)

M: 10

K: 1

He gets a lot of extra points for doing this and letting me put it on the blog. He doesn't like "putting himself out there." So, thanks dear. I love my Mikes!

Snow Day - Round 2

I am learning that when you work at a school snow is your friend! And we got plenty of it last night. We woke up to about a foot of snow this morning. School was cancelled and Mike couldn't even try to go to work until they plowed out driveway. So we made omelets and hot coco and watched the morning news together. It was so nice! After shoveling for about an hour Mike had dug our cars out and he we off to work. What did I do with my day off? I didn't leave the couch! I have to say working from 7:45am-8:30pm is killing me. I'm so tired every day and I've only been doing it for a week and a half! So I needed the day to veg out and do NOTHING! I'm guessing that I'm getting a really good idea of what Motherhood is like though. Not much sleep, long days, not much is getting done at home, my patience is very thin by the end of the day and phrases like "No that's yucky" are used more frequently than I should!

On a brighter note. I'm working my hardest to convince mike that we need to go on another cruise in March! All this snow is really helping my case! And the fact I'm working my butt off doing two jobs doesn't hurt either. There is no place I'd rather be right now than on one of the islands in the southern Caribbean. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Maybe I'll be sipping a pina colada {virgin} in 2 months from now on here {St. Thomas.}

Happy 2011 (12 days late!)

We spent our new years in Ohio this year. We drove home on Wed Dec 29th and left on Sunday Jan 2nd. It took us about 8 1/2 hours to get there and 7 1/2 hours to get home. (I don't know how that works.) At any rate it was a fun, but quick trip.

We watched the ball drop with my family at home. I have to say New Years Eve is pretty anti-climactic for me. So what the clock strikes midnight and all 8 of us cheer have some bubbly then what? I fall asleep because its already 2 1/2 hours past my bedtime. Oh well maybe we'll do it in Time Square next year and we'll see how I feel about it then.

Andrew came home from his party with his friends to watch the ball drop with us. Then he went back to hang out with his friends. Way to balance family and friends Andy!

Grandma and Grandpa came up from Columbus to spend the weekend with us. I LOVE them!

Mike and I with our bubbly.

Katie having more than her fair share!

On New Years day we all went bowling. Mike promised Andrew that if could beat him he would give him $5. Mike won the first game and Andrew won the second so Andrew got some cash after all.

My mom and sisters. Which one of these is not like the other? Liz is the only brunet girl in the family.

Siblings (- Bry)

We also played a lot of games while I was at home. Dad was pretty frustrated while playing settlers... but it turns out he won.

It got pretty intense at times.

And of course when you hang with Andrew you get very few serious moments... I sure love this kid!

It was a great time but we were sad to have to leave so soon. The good news is I'll be back in March to see them AND BRYANT!!