Christmas 2011

December was filled with a jam-packed schedule, but I would not have had it any other way. Currently I work at Groupon, and Matt and I decided to attend the annual holiday party. This was NOT your typical holiday party, it felt much more like a concert. There must have been 1500 people there! Seriously, it was one of the more...no MOST, intense holiday parties I have ever been to. If there is one thing I have learned while working at Groupon, it is that they really like to party.


We also decided to celebrate Matt being done with his first semester at business school by going to dinner at Spiaggia. It was really nice just to sit down and talk, because I literally did not see him for 2 weeks because he was studying so much. I know that school has been really hard for him and it is easy for him to doubt himself, but I just have to remind him that this is God's plan for us and that it will pay off in the long run.


On the 21st, we made the 14 and a half hour drive to Dallas from Chicago. We wanted to bring both of our dogs, but since our Lab cannot fly due to the temperatures on the ground, we had to drive. It really is not that bad at all. It was SO nice being home for that long. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at my husband's house and then went to Sugar Land that night. We were so blessed with many gifts this year, but honestly just being at home was the biggest blessing this year! This year was also really special because my parents just finished building their house and we ALL slept their that night and had our first Christmas together in the new house. During our stay, I got to see some of my best girls friends in Dallas, see two new sweet additions (Aubrey and Barrett - both babies were just precious) and see Emily before she becomes Mrs. Davis. On the 1st, we headed back to Chicago. It was sad to go, but I will be back in 2 weeks for my sister's bid day at SMU, so I can't really complain.

Matt and I on Christmas Eve. Since, we were at his parents, so someone had to carry on the tradition of Christmas Pjs since we were not in Sugar Land.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Happenings

I am obviously not very good at blogging...but you know, I try:) Over Thanksgiving, we flew back to Houston and it was the first time we ever flew with a dog. Honestly, I thought it was going to be much worse, but Bentlie Belle was a perfect little angel! Let me back up, I thought it was going to be a disaster because a week before we flew out, she ate 15 multi-vitamins. Seriously, you would think we don't feed the dog! But seriously, she pulled a tote down from a chair and chewed threw the bottle and then ate 15 vitamins...they do not even taste good. So, we had to go to the emergency vet - where we sat for 4 hours and she threw up all over Matt and the entire waiting room (he was thrilled, especially since he had to get up in 4 hours for a case competition!). So with that prior episode in the back of our minds, we were not really looking forward to the airplane ride. However, before the ride, we gave her a little Benadryl and she was good to go! She only whined for less that two minutes right when we put her under the seat and the rest of the ride she was as quiet as a mouse!

Bentlie Belle waiting in the airport
Bentlie Belle about to get zipped in! *Look at the the fear in her face*
She made it!!

Our trip to Houston was great! We got to spend time at Matt's grandmother's house. They have been doing Thanksgiving there for many many years, so it is always nice to see everyone! Later, we had Thanksgiving with my immediate family. As many of you are aware, my parents are building a house and trying to sell theirs, so my mom was not so keen on cooking. Instead, we had a catered Thanksgiving dinner and it was actually quite nice! Hopefully, we will be in the new house for Christmas...but you just never know. No one is holding their breath:)

When we go back to Chicago, we got our Christmas decorations and put them up (well we delayed a couple days, but you catch my drift). I really did not want to too many decorations because we are driving back to Dallas on the 21st or 22nd and we will not be back until the 2nd! So, I just elected to do a tree and a few things. This year, I FINALLY made a decent top! I was actually impressed with myself! It is really nice to get into the holiday spirit and have a tree up in our condo.

This past weekend Matt and I went on a date and we decided to stop through Millennium Park. We have lived in Chicago for 4 months now and have yet to see the bean! So, we took some pictures of it and sipped on hot chocolate while watching people ice skate in the park.


Now I am off to do some Christmas shopping!