I want a hippopotamus for Christmas...but a family party will suffice!

Sunday was family Christmas at our house.  It was a fun afternoon with everyone!!

the Patriarchs of the family

the women

The Men

Wesley learning how to carve a turkey

The cousins did a hat exchange

My baby girl, Lucy!

Graduation Party!

So this last weekend has been crazy.  It started Friday with my last final...ever!!! I was so excited to be done.  I had been in finals all week and planning my graduation party for Friday night with my mom.  When I got home from Fridays final around 2 it was to find a big surprise waiting for me! My best friend, Kim, had told me a few weeks ago that she wasn't going to be able to make it to the party, which made me sad.  So my mom and her planned a surprise.  My parents drove up an extra car we had at the house to Kim and her husband 2 weekends ago for her to keep for the week then drive down Friday.  So when I came home from my final on Friday she was waiting in the hallway to surprise me...it was totally awesome!! We also had a really good family friend drive in from Phoenix to spend the weekend with us.  Also, it was been pouring since Friday night which added to the craziness-but i love the rain so it is wonderful!!!

Kim surprising me

 

CJ & Mike-lifelong friends from the Village

Opening gifts-a good friend gave me a photo album for travelling

and my wonderful Aunt got me a book on Prague! 

I Love my BFF!!!!

Christmas is Coming!!!

We got our tree this past weekend! I love the smell of a new tree, it makes the whole house smell wonderful.  Mom & I put it up and decorated it.  We had so much fun listening to music and we took a little break to drink some herb coffee (Teeccino).  It is so yummy-especially with a touch of Kahlua =]

Of course we have a HP ornament!

My baby Lucy, she was so exhausted since she waited up for me to come to bed, there was just too much excitement going on in the room that she couldn't sleep

finally settling down

Thanksgiving

So I bought my plane ticket to London, Jan 28!!! So excited.  I'm staying with Sharon for a few days then heading to Prague-maybe stopping off somewhere in the middle depending on ow much time I spend in York with Sharon. 
Thanksgiving was fun this year.  As usual we had Thanksgiving with my Mom's side the weekend before actual Thanksgiving. For actual Thanksgiving we went out to Salton Sea with the family & extended family and friends.  It was so cold but fun.  Lucy (my puppy) had a great time and did really well.  I tried to not be to over protective of her, but I treat her like my child...or similarly to how I assume I would treat my child.  I was so worried she was going to run off or get eaten by a coyote.  So after sundown she was either in my arms, on my lap or in the motor home.