Happy 1-1-11, y'all!

What a crazy year 2010 has been. Here's a quick look back:

1.) Our trip to Turkey
2.) The birth of these two cuties
3.) Traveling to North Carolina
4.) Saying goodbye to Lil Mamma
5.) Arisco family trip to Hilton Head, SC/ Savannah, GA (we're still on the trip...posts soon!)
6.) Josh surviving his first year of med school (and now half of 2nd year!)
7.) Me surviving my first year of teaching
8.) AND of course, finding out about Peyton

It was fun looking back on my blog to find these posts. I would say that I've definitely become a better blogger as the year has progressed lol.

Neither of us really make a list of resolutions. I always start out the year saying I want to eat healthier and exercise more. I know 2011 will be a great year, can't wait for it to get started!

Happy New Year from Hilton Head, SC!



For NYE we went to Robert Irvine's restaurant in Hilton Head. He was on the Food Network show Dinner Impossible. It was an incredible meal.



He came to our table and introduced himself...quite an interesting guy. He didn't like the party favor hat that they had given Josh so he went to the back and got him a blue top hat. He stood on a chair to put it on his head and kept trying to make it fit, even though it was too small. I feel bad now, because I was laughing, but Josh was kind of getting mad.

Christmas at Momo's

This year we spent the week leading up to Christmas with the Russells. We did so much fun family stuff that it's going to take a couple of posts...so bear with me ;) First, we went over to Momo's house. We got there a little early to start preparing the taco meat and make fudge.



It was my first time to make fudge and I was pretty excited that Josh's Mom offered to teach me. This recipe has been in their families for years...it is soooo good. Josh documented the event.

You add the first few ingredients and boil (sugar, pet milk, and butter)



Bring it to a boil for 6 minutes



Add the rest of the ingredients and stir, stir, stir! (chocolate chips, pecans, Hershey bars, and marshmallow cream)



Spread it in a pan and lick the spoon! (this is where the boys come in to help lol)



Yay! We let it cool and it was definitely enjoyed ;)



This Christmas was hard without having Lil Mamma here. She had already bought everyone's Hallmark ornament, a yearly tradition.



Caleb and Chelsea with their ornaments



Daniel



Seth



Ronnie and Andrea



Mo and his Aggie Grandsons



22 week belly pic

All growed up

Our first day in Dallas visiting the Russell's, we had the chance to see both Daniel and Seth play basketball. We were pretty excited because we never get to drive up to Garland for games.

First was Daniel's Freshmen team game. Here he is warming up.



During the game, go Daniel!



Later we watched Seth's Varsity game. Here he is warming up.



He's pretty unstoppable and got lots of blocks.



The Russell boys' fan club!



Funny story, during the game the ref made this motion



And I, being the experienced athlete, asked Josh if that meant "paddling."

"No babe, that means double-dribble."

He was laughing so hard he was almost in tears. His Mom, a collegiate basketball player, thought it was pretty funny too.

My Mom understands how I feel, she saw the Aggie Wrecking Crew hand signal and said "yeah, he was this close!"



I've since promised Josh that I will study up on sports before Peyton gets here. He doesn't want him to be embarrassed lol.

The ARTS SA Nutcracker

Back in October, we purchased tickets on Groupon to see the Nutcracker in December. It was our last day of school and the boys had finished exams the day before. I was so happy to get to spend some quality time with Josh. They had it downtown at the Municipal Auditorium which was built in 1926. It wasn't the Russian ballet, but they did a great job. The girl that played Clara was really good.

The Oler's



The Russell's



Funny story, a bird pooped while we were taking these pictures. We didn't realize it until we were inside the auditorium. He took it well.

They had a little market inside where you could buy, of course, nutcrackers.



typical Paul



Josh took this picture without a flash...I think he did a good job!

Oler Annual Christmas Party: Pajama Edition

The Sunday before we left for Dallas the Oler's hosted their annual Christmas party. They decided on a pajama theme since it was their boys first Christmas. We had matching pajamas that my Mom had given us the year before. I thought it would be fun to spruce my belly up with a bow since Peyton is our present.



Paul's Dad came down from Portland to visit before Christmas.



I LOVE their Christmas tree



Some of the gals that came, and Cy woke up because he didn't want to miss the party



Each couple brought 12, $1 stocking stuffers to put in everyone's stocking. We came home with some fun (and interesting!) items!



Here's a cute couple (the Wisely's)



We had a great time and will look forward to this every year ;)

Babysitting Twins

On Saturday, December 18 we got the opportunity to gain some baby experience while watching the precious Oler boys! We were with them from 3pm-midnight while their parents were at a wedding in College Station. They're Mom had already bathed them and put on their jammies, so all we had to do was give them their final bottle of the night. They're 8 months old and sooo sweet. When we walked in the room they were sitting up with their backs facing us.

"what are you doing here?"



The Lilies watched them the night before while we went to see the Nutcracker. They love their teddy bears!



Presley with Josh's hat



Presley sitting in the activity chair



I decided to hold Cy up to it so he could join in. He loved it! They would laugh and look at each other.



And a little video of the fun! (click on the photo below and it will lead you to the video)



Thanks Lindsay and Paul for letting us watch your boys!

Always/Sometimes/Never: Christmas Traditions

ALWAYS

help decorate my family's tree at Thanksgiving.

have a peppermint mocha from Starbuck's as soon as the season hits.

enjoy getting Christmas cards (we'll be sending our first out next year).

love singing Christmas tunes.

get matching family pajamas.

Sometimes

enjoy wrapping presents.

wish Josh and I would've put up a tree this year.

our family does a secret santa...my Dad makes up the riddles & they're awesome!

wish we had snow in Texas in December (pretty rare to see).

wish our families lived closer so we didn't have to spend this time apart.

never

have I missed a candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

do last minute shopping.

had I made fudge, but yesterday Josh's Mom gave me a chance!

complain about our 2 week holiday break from work.

can wait for Christmas to get here, and hate how fast it goes by!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Russells