Thanksgiving

I can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a very business week and then some. Wednesday night Michael's best friend came into town, which of course meant that we were going to go out and have drinks. We went to a bar in Rogers after visiting with Zack's family. It was a late, fun night and a very early morning. Thursday morning we got up and drove to Fort Smith. I love spending time with my crazy family. It was Gabby's first Thanksgiving at my mom's house with 30 people. Gabby was a little concerned about the kiddos mostly the four year old boy. Too much movement for Gabby to take, but before the day was over Aden and Gabby were best friends!!! Who knew a little game of chase the doggie around the house could make Gabby so happy. It is amazing that I made it through the entire day without taking one photograph. We played a game with everyone and I watch Santa Paws with Aden. It was a great day with my whole family.

Washington, D.C.

Wow. I just have to start by saying Wow. First, Washington, D.C. or as the locals refer to it the District, is beautiful in the fall. I think they planned for the trees to look the way they do whenever they were planted. I was in the District for work, but I decided since I had never been to our country's capital before I must venture out of my hotel and wander.

I love traveling and I am never really bothered by going anywhere alone. It is always better to go somewhere with a friend or loved one, but I never seem to mind the silence and the ability to do whatever I want whenever I want. Since there are about a million things to do in DC I first had to figure out what was the most important. I decided the National Mall was the way to go. I could park and walk EVERYWHERE. At one end of the National Mall is the Lincoln Memorial and at the opposite end is the capital building. Cannot go wrong with this walk. Gorgeous city. I went all over the mall and it was perfect. The picture at the top is from the Koren War Memorial, the trees to me were just amazing.

Washington Monument

Washington Monument and Capital from the Lincoln Memorial

On my way out of town, literally, I decided there was one other site I could not miss. Arlington National Cemetery. Before catching my flight I dropped over to the cemetery, and wandered around. I did not have a lot of time, but I wanted to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and the eternal flame at the grave of John F. Kennedy. Arlington Cemetery is huge and walking around alone was a little eerie, but if you only have a short time in the city it is a must.

Just beautiful

I do, Now What?

I have been reading this book pictured above. I saw Giuliana and Bill Rancic one day on Television promoting this book, and for two reasons I bought the book; one I am newly married, and two I knew I would be traveling a lot and needed a new read. Four hours on a plane goes a lot faster whenever I am reading.

This book was a very fun and interesting read. I have to say I will be passing this book along to all my friends before or after they are married. They talk a lot about the top conversations all married couples have or will have at some point in their relationship, i.e. money, honesty, jealousy, joining two lives. There were many points in this book, as I was reading, where I felt like it was describing our entire relationship. Michael and I have dealt with a lot of subjects most couples wait decades before ever having to confront. We are stronger than ever for having to have those moments and discussions. So, for me it was almost a relief to read other YOUNG couples have had the same conversations. In this book, especially if you are an emotional type, you will laugh, you will cry and you will definitely think about your own relationship.

GO BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Bridal Shower

Everyone who threw the shower with the Bride-to-be

This past weekend, Michael and I went down to Fort Smith. A friend from church is getting married in December and my mom, a few of her friends, and I threw her a shower. Rachel, the one getting married, and I have known each other for many years and our parents are all good friends. That is probably the best part about being part of a church family. The friends you meet always are in your life. Rachel is three years younger than me and we have spent many hours skiing the slopes of Colorado together. I just have to say from my own experience with having a church bridal shower thrown for me and now throwing one for someone else, the church family is the best. They always have the best stories of their own relationships and they don't ever seem shy to share, which gets entertaining.

I think Rachel had a good time on Sunday and I know she ended up with some great items that will get some good use. Whenever I am throwing a shower/party I always get cake at the same place, Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville. I picked up this gorgeous cake Saturday and it was fabulous on Sunday. I try and go to Rick's at least one a week for lunch. Yummy!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is my Dad's 54th Birthday! Happy Birthday Old man....you are old in age only!! This past weekend I hosted a bridal shower for a friend of mine getting married in a month, and the shower was at my mom's house. It was a great great weekend. My brother was in town house hunting in Fort Smith, yay for him moving back!!! I think he has even found a house and put in an offer. I am so glad he was able to come home to house hunt and hang out for my Dad's birthday. The shower was Sunday, so Sunday night Michael, my parents, my brother and I all went out to try a new restaurant for Dad's birthday. We had tons of fun, good company, good food, and good memories.

I am a Daddy's little girl, and forever will be. I am so fortunate to have a father who has always supported me in all of my crazy ventures, i.e. moving to Chicago. Told me how great I am at certain things and how I need to improve on others, his honesty is awesome. Even though we fight sometimes, I know deep down it is just because I am just like him (hard headed), and that makes me smile. I can't wait to for him to be around for 50 more years, so he can experience all the great things our family continues to offer. Love you Daddy!!!

Is it Christmas yet?

As most of you know, I can be very OCD at times. Michael and I are planning an Ugly Christmas Sweater party at our house. I am very excited about this party, mainly because next to Halloween I love Christmas. I love Christmas music, Christmas lights, Christmas decorations, and I love a white Christmas. As soon as the weather starts getting cold I look forward to one thing putting up my Christmas Tree.

I travel a lot, and I am lucky because I usually don't travel at all during the holiday months. When I started to travel for work, I wanted to collect something in order to remind me of all the fun and interesting places I get to go. I thought about collecting shot glasses, but really I don't drink that much and they would probably just sit in a cabinet and never be seen or used. I thought about collecting magnets, but the major problem with collecting magnets is that my refrigerator is stainless steal and who really wants 200 magnets sitting on the refrigerator. So, after a lot of thought I decided to start collecting Christmas ornaments, which in my house was a brilliant idea. I have traveled a lot this past year, so I am definitely looking forward to putting my tree up.

I Love Fall

It is officially getting colder and the trees are changed or changing, and Halloween has come and gone. I really enjoy fall and some parts of winter. I love Halloween and carving pumpkins and watching all the adorable little children come to our house in their super cute costumes.

Michael and I went over to our friend's house the other evening to eat dinner and carve pumpkins. The ladies of the group were much more excited about the pumpkin carving than the boys who just wanted to watch the World Series. While over at their house we dress their daughter in her Halloween costume and took some pictures pre-pumpkin carving. Check out how cute this little one is.

Michael's and My pumpkins

Stella looking cute

The trees and campus are probably my favorite part of fall in Fayetteville. It seems to last a long time here. Fall starts at the beginning of October and last the whole month. The trees seem to take FOREVER to change, but it is always fun to see how they change on a daily basis. In Chicago fall last all of two weeks before it is too cold and the trees have no leaves. I truly missed the fall weather while living in Chicago, but I am grateful to be home and to wear cute clothes.

Halloween! Michael and I's favorite holiday. Dressing up and going to parties (which we didn't do because we went to the Arkansas Football game) and handing out candy. We have several very adorable kids come to the house. My favorite was a 9 year old dressed as Raggedy Anne and Michael's favorite was a 3 year old Indiana Jones, who I must say was pretty cute. Between now and next year we are going to work on Michael's excited face and making sure he makes a comment about all the kids at the door not just his favorite. Michael kept wanting me to hand out the candy; he said I was better with the kids.