The beach in December!

It was about 70 degrees Christmas day and it stayed just as warm the weekend and this week.

So before Anne and Mom left, we took them over to one of the many beautiful beaches close to us. The water is no where near warm enough to get in (unless you have a wetsuit) but it was perfect weather for talking a long walk and shell searching. So we headed to Onslow Beach, the beach on Camp Lejeune and it's the best place for collecting shells, shark teeth and other fun beach goodies. 

Rocky hates the water so TJ spent a lot of time running around.

I'm probably pointing out that there are tiny little clams that you can catch when the wave rolls back out, I would have gone and picked them up but when my feet touched the water, I couldn't feel them anymore :]

We love the beach! I can't wait till its warm enough to swim in it again.

I know we look nothing alike, but I SWEAR we're related :]

FINALLY a Christmas post!

Wow, I've been neglecting my poor little blog! Better late than never I always say!

December is the busy season for retail so I've been working a lot more hours than usual and TJ has been extra busy at the office as well. He now wakes up at 5 AM so that he can beat traffic and actually make it to work on time. He does get there early, so he has been swimming laps every morning! Its way better for his poor knees than running and he's able to make it through the day with more energy. Some days we don't see each other at all except to say good morning and good night to each other. I know we have more busyness to look forward to as we're counting down to our little ones' arrival, but I'm still looking forward to a calmer January. 

So because of my job in retail, I wasn't able to take off for Christmas, and so we spent the holiday in North Carolina. I really wanted to make it up to Maryland but it just wasn't happening. Luckily I have a wonderful mom and sister who made the drive down to spend a long weekend with us!  It was so much fun to see Anne again! I can't believe how grown up she is! And if you haven't heard she is going to spend the summer and spring semester in Vienna, Austria!  So I'll have the chance to see her one more time before then and we won't be with her again until August.  

Lets see...we made out pretty well with our Christmas presents. A lot of baby stuff which is what I wanted, we know have a crib and a stroller. yay! My mom got me all the Burts Bees baby bee lotion, shampoo, diaper powder & ointment. She also got me Belly Butter and I'm obsessed with it! I know they all thought I was crazy, I use it not only for my growing belly but my hands and feet, it makes them so soft!! And I love the smell of it too. Mom also got me a sewing machine! I can't wait to use it, I need some ideas for projects now. We received an assortment of baby clothes and a little thingy that lets us listen to the heartbeat. And TJ and I both got each other a pair of boots, awhhh.  Overall it was just really nice to be able to spend the day with family and relax and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. I'm sad it ended so soon.

And I have a few pictures to share... that I will upload a little later today :]

We didn't get snow, or cold weather for Christmas, so I attempted to have a white one with the help of computer paper.

This is our dog Rocky Balboa, I don't think I've ever posted his picture. I thought he was too cute curled up with the presents.

And here is the ever growing belly :]

And here is the present aftermath!

And soon after, Anne had to take a nap, I don't think she was adjusted to the time change, or the normal sleep patterns :] Crazy college girl.

What a Croc!

I hate Croc's.  I know so many people that wear them and I have nothing against the owners, I just can't stand the shoe. Something about the way they look and the colors and holes on top makes me cringe. I see them everywhere, on everyone and I can't stand it. What a stupid thing to hate, I know.  And the funny thing is I love how recyclable they are, and they are made with sustainable materials. But I remember when they first appeared, I worked a mall and I swore to myself that no matter how trendy they became I would never give in and own a pair.

Well, I think I have to rethink that one. I work retail again and standing for 5 to 6 hours a day is killing my back! I have lower back problems from car accidents previous to being pregnant, and this little one is certainly not helping. So...sorry self, I'm giving in. At least now they have cute styles...right?

Just a quick update...

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and we're still just as busy so this is just a quick little entry.  

My mom and the Neweys came down to join in festivities with us and it was great having them! I just can't wait until we have a house and room for people to actually stay with us, and not have to sleep on our couch or in a hotel. Thursday had an early start with TJ going to play football with all the priesthood in our ward giving me and mom time to catch up! I'm starting to feel bad for all that teenage rebellion :] I've missed being away from her so much! So we got to have a lazy morning  watching the Macy's parade in our pj's.  

And then the cooking started...

We just went with the traditional spread and it took longer to get ready than we anticipated but it was so delicious! And way easier than I thought it would be too. I am fully prepared to cook next Thanksgiving's dinner. My mom helped with most everything this year, and TJ did too! I'm so lucky to have a husband who doesn't mind cooking!  The rest of the day is a blur, probably from the food coma :]

The next day, so lovingly named Black Friday I had to work, and because of that I didn't feel like shopping very much. We did make it to the movies to see Four Christmases. Which I loved! Not a kids movie, but it was so funny and so cute. After being at work for six hours and then the movie I was ready to go home and crash, which I basically did. I sat down on the couch and I don't think I moved until I got up to go to bed! 

That was pretty much our Thanksgiving, the rest of the weekend we mostly spent hanging out on the couch and catching up with everyone. 

Oh and I can't forget to mention the gifts! My mom bought us a dining table and chairs (from Ikea of course)! I never thought I would enjoy sitting at a table so much, but we love having it! And one of these days when I don't work late, we'll actually get to eat dinner on it. Also the Neweys and my Mom brought down tons of baby clothes and accessories which we could not be happier to have! Thank you to everyone in the Ft. Meade ward who donated!!!

Another thank you to my mother...she went out and bought us little things that we didn't have in our kitchen like wooden mixing spoons and a can opener that works, I can't thank her enough, I jsut hope to be as good a mom as she is. 

Speaking of Moms and babies, I finally have a registry up at Target.com. It has been so overhwelming picking out what to register for, I almost wish there were less things to choose from! 

And I don't have any pictures this post, I forgot to get my camera out the whole weekend...I'm blaming the pregnancy on that one :]