Happy December

We had a fun and busy month of December, including December Nights in Balboa Park, my company's Christmas party and our own Christmas party. We did a white elephant gift exchange this year, but as I told everyone to bring super cheesy gifts and there weren't a whole lot of people there, there was only one or two gifts that anyone wanted - I got the best one! :-) Enjoy a few pics.

Thanksgiving back home

Okay - I'm ridiculously behind and am just posting Thanksgiving now that Christmas is over. But better late than never, right!? Scott and I went back to visit my family in Chattanooga and Atlanta. It was a very action-packed trip and we were on the go the whole time, but it was really great to catch up with everyone. When we first got into Chattanooga, we met my old friend (she's not old - we've just been friends a long time) and her hubby and 3 boys. Her daughter Casia wasn't there, but it was great to see her and her adorable boys. Toby, the youngest is at a stage where he doesn't like his picture taken too much (unless you catch him in the McDonald's play place).












We met up with Nancy, Jackie, Kristin, Wil, Morgan and Morgan's two friends for dinner. We had seen everyone at Kristin's wedding, but that was months ago and it was great to see them in Chattanooga. We went for a hike at one of my favorite spots in Chattanooga on Thanksgiving day and that was a great way to spend the day. Just seeing the beauty of Chattanooga, both in nature and the downtown that has grown since I left are great to go back to.
















I was able to get in a couple of quick visits with Tara too. It's always so great to see best friends and be able to pick up right where you always left off.










We next headed to Atlanta to see my family there. We got together for a wonderful dinner with my Grammy, Uncle Glen, Aunt Sandee, Cousin Kelly and cousins Nancy, Mike and Mark. It's always such a joy to see them and this time was no exception. Scott and I went out with Kelly and Mark after dinner and it was the first time we've ever had a grown up outing with the cousins - we had a great time! Kelly, Scott and I had to have a few late night snacks very quietly when we got home that night. Can you see how beautiful Kelly is!? More and more so everytime I see - and smart as can be too! Hold on boys - she's taken, but I'll keep you posted. ;-)

















Scott and I finished off with a trip to the Atlanta Aquarium. I hadn't been yet and was pretty amazed with everything they have there. I still like the layout of the Chattanooga Aquarium better, but all that this one had was pretty impressive. The most impressive were the enormous whale sharks - they had 4 in this huge portion of the aquarium - from what I've heard, this is the only aquarium in the world that has these - definitely worth seeing. Check out the videos at the bottom of many of the things we saw there.

Back to Climbing

After years of not going, Scott and went climbing again with Scott's friend Donaldson. And we had such a good time, we're planning to go again! Here are a few pictures so you can be impressed with how awesome we are. Luckily, the pictures don't show how much I whined and almost didn't make it on the harder route, but I did make it, so I guess that's okay. :-) I loved the rock that looks like a penguin- do you see it too?

Halloween 2008

My favorite holiday rolled around again and it was fun as always. Scott and I dressed up as Earl and Joy from the TV show "My Name is Earl". I actually dressed up at work to, but didn't show up in the short skirt that day. Scott's (I mean Earl's) mustache didn't hold very well, but we still looked great, if I may say so myself. :-)




Katie and I have spent Halloween together at parties for the 9th year in a row now! I don't think I've ever done anything with one person for that many years in a row, except for maybe Christmas with my parents when I was young. Thanks Katie for always being a great friend and sharing this awesome Holiday with me. Can't wait for many more!





Sara Palin decided to visit us, along with her baby and her gun.












Max Hedroom was with us for the second year in a row - what did we do to deserve that!?











I spent way too much time on making my Haloween goodies complete with witches' fingers, butterfinger eyeballs, breadstick bones and apple mouths - are you scared?







We had a ceiling fan (it took me a while to figure that one out!) and a beer pong table - should I admit that I understood that one immediately? ;-)











Fred and Wilma Flinstone even showed up - I loved it!












I never did figure this one out, but he was complete with a voice changer....???











Sara and Pinot dressed up as..... Sara and Pinot! :-)









Alex didn't have his own flapper there, but Katie stepped in happily and they matched perfectly!











Colleen (the best witch I've ever seen) and Jenny (can we say HOT flight attendent) were a perfect pair.








I told Craig (Scott's brother) that he would be a perfect Randy (Earl's brother). No costume, but I think it worked out well!








The cat in the hat! Somehow, Joy and he switched hats later in the evening.