This Christmas

Christmas break officially begins tomorrow morning following the 8am exam. I should be more excited than I am. Don't get me wrong, I am really looking forward to having Andrew home-- but it just doesn't feel like Christmas around here. I finally got my lazy buns in gear and put up the nativity and the tree a couple of weeks ago after Noah had begged the hospital nurses to let him take the hospital's tree home because "we don't have one at my home"sniff, sniff... oh, the shame! But, despite the holiday ornamentation, I've yet to really catch the spirit of the season. Why? I don't know. It could have to do with the fact that we aren't going anywhere this holiday and will be celebrating sans family this year... or to do with the fact that our medical school budget equals a very creative Christmas as far as gifts for the kids go... or maybe it has to do with the fact that we can't quite kick the Kirksville germs and have been passing them around our family for the past three weeks, six trips to the pediatrician, four antibiotic treatments, and one little hospital stay later, we are definitely on the upswing...or maybe it has to do with the fact that the heavy test schedule these last two weeks and the early distribution of the board review materials (THANKS A LOT...) has meant that my better half has been pretty much MIA for two weeks in a row now, and I'm doing my best to keep the eyebrows above water, let alone feel jolly about it... but I'm just not sure. Hopefully tomorrow once the pressure is off Andrew he will become his usual merry old self again and we will get right down to the business of having a very Merry Christmas indeed here in the ville'! With that in mind, I think I'll start a little early in spreading the holiday glee... I'll post the pictures of this year's decorations. Total investment this year, $6.43! Design On A Dime, eat your heart out!

The Perfect Getaway!

Over the Thanksgiving break we went down to St. Louis with our friends the Fransons. It was a great little two day get away, and I've got to say, it really hit the spot. We got to go shopping at The Galleria, Hobby Lobby, and Whole Foods. Who could ask for more? We ate out at Macaroni Grill and it was so wonderful! Our hotel was a fabulous 4 star hotel in downtown St. Louis. The view was incredible, and for a mere $40 a night, it was a steal! We went to the zoo on Saturday, and although it was a bit chilly at first, the day warmed up and it was the PERFECT day to be at the zoo! All the animals were out, but the crowds were not, and you just can't beat that. I'll post the photos my friend Melissa shared with me (thanks Melissa!), but you can also check out her blog for more, at http://fransonfamily.blogspot.com/2007/11/st-louis.html. Noah keeps asking when we are going to take him and Adalyn (Melissa's oldest girl) back to the zoo! What a perfect little getaway!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner was such a blast! We had several families together, and it was so wonderful to be together to feast and be grateful as a great big group! Here are some of the great photos from this awesome evening!