Thanksgiving

Hope everybody's Thanksgiving was full of blessings.

Ours was very nice...it was quiet with just Tony and I, but it was very sweet. This year we did something new with the turkey. I bought a turkey from a co-worker who had raised it. Farm fresh....sounds delish right? Not as much as I had imagined.
First of all, I'm kind of reverting back to first trimester food issues...not NEARLY as bad, but some things are really grossing me out...like the fact that we had to still pull out some broken feathers....then after cooking it and the breast and thigh registering the right temp Tony started cutting into it and it was like we hit an artery! So much blood. I'm not sure why it cooked so unevenly. It's not like this is the first time that we have cooked a turkey!
I talked with the guy that I bought it from today and he said perhaps the butcher didn't drain it properly. But who knows. Either way - we cut some breast meat off, ate dinner, then stuck the whole thing back in the oven. Tony carved it later in the evening, but a lot of it was tendony (not sure if that is a word - but you get the picture) and tough. We still have enough for leftovers though.

I had to work today but as I was getting ready at 4:30 AM!!! I decided, why not go shopping on my way? Join the craziese?!? There were 2 items in particular that I was gunning for - and I got 'em, so it was worth it to face the black Friday crowds. Most important of the 2 was the crib mattress. I think we now have everything for the baby.....

Absence - Where have I been? Wait....where have you been?

I've been so bad about blogging....but I haven't been the only one (you guys know who you are....those bloggers I depend on for weekly entertainment!!!). But I have good excuses -
Second weekend of Oct. - home to New Mexico for baby shower.
Third weekend of Oct. - Minneapolis for Brother in Law's wedding
Got home from Minneapolis on Sunday the 17th and had to fly out to MD that Monday - Friday. Then I flew out that next Sunday for Ohio, came back Monday night and left again on Wednesday for MD. I was exhausted!! I wanted to cry on that last trip to MD - really not looking forward to the plane ride and hotel....but everything went well. And it's always so GREAT to see our friends in MD!!! I couldn't help but cry when I left....on top of being super emotional already, saying goodbye to friends and knowing I probably won't see them for a long time....I just really miss our friends in Maryland.
This past weekend Tony flew to Duluth to go deer hunting with his dad and brothers. (And he did get a deer!!) My mom flew up to stay with me and we had a wonderful time!! We got to go to a couple of Crap (craft) fairs, which were actually really good! We mostly just shopped and ate out. It was great - but too quick and there are never enough hours in the day.
On Sunday after I took my mom to the airport I did one of the activities I love most in the world - I went to Barnes and Nobles and got some coffee and read magazines!! It was so relaxing. Then I went home, turned up the Frank Sinatra Christmas CD and started to put out my Christmas decorations. I know it's kind of early, but I figured I better do it now while I still feel up to it.
We started Lamaze last week. It's not just a lamaze class - they teach you all kinds of things, like the stages of labor and all that good stuff. The video's were not for the weak...and I am weak! I wanted to throw up but then started laughing and couldn't stop. Of course Tony only egged me on by making comments. But the best part about it is getting to spend time together during the week. Things are always so crazy, it seems like we always have something to do, so the class is really nice in that respect. We are also going to take a baby prep class in a few weeks, which I think will make us feel less anxious....perhaps.
I can't believe it's going to be Thanksgiving next week!! We don't have any big plans - we are just going to stick around home and I'm going to cook. It's always nice to have that day together just to eat and relax.
I'll try to be better about the blog and updates! Hopefully tomorrow I'll remember to take a pic of the belly BEFORE I put on pj's (which usually happens the minute I walk in the door) to post for my 34th week.

Three brothers - this was at the rehersal at the church. Tony was practicing reading out loud.

All the siblings - this was at the rehersal dinner in downtown St. Paul. The neighborhood was amazing!! I told Tony if we move to the Twin Cities that this area is where I want to live!

New Year's Eve Grub

On the menu for tonight:
Little Smokies
Crab Dip in a bread bowl
Ranch Dip and Veggies
Shrimp & Dip
Champagne punch

It's a good thing Mandy and Michael and the kids are joining the 3 of us!

Bon Appetit!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.
We woke up way too early this morning and went to the Sunrise service at Red Rocks. It was very beautiful and we were glad that we went!
Sorry I haven't posted in a while - I'm just going through a slump - All my good thoughts go into school work. I know...excuses excuses!

Welcome 2009

First of all I have to say congrats to our great friends Adam and Jen for the birth of their first son - Carter! I'm so excited for them and can't wait to see pics. Their 2009 is already off to an exciting start! That's the fifth baby year to date that friends have had....hmmm, much pressure?

2008 was a great year and one year ago at this time none of it was planned, just hoped for - We got to go to Italy with Robin and Jesse, we moved to Denver, bought a house, Tony got a job right away....things worked out really well for us. My folks came up on the 31st and helped us ring in the new year. We had so much fun! We ran around and got to eat at some new (to us) restaurants. We had such a nice time visiting. I'm hoping that Amy can come up sometime too (this time without having to work so much!)

Now I'm looking forward to 2009. Hopefully we will get settled into the house and our lives will seem less chaotic.
These are a few of my hopes for 2009 (and things I just want to get done)...not resolutions:
*To start cooking more, like I used to, experimenting and trying new things. I bought a new cook book the other day, so hopefully it will provide some inspiration.
*Get all the painting done in the house.
*Start going out again and finding fun new restaurants (I have to say this is one of things I miss the most (after our friends) about B-more. The food).
*Get at least most of the furniture picked out and bought so our guests don't have to stay on air mattresses or sit on the floor when there isn't enough room on the couch. (Sarah - this is where you come in!)
*Stay focused on school....(it's already starting - my first class starts tomorrow and I already have homework to do!)
*Get a better, more positive attitude towards work....and other things...but mostly just work. I have to remember that I can't be a reflection of those I work with, but have to be myself no matter the circumstance. I have to try not to get so down and depressed about mean people that suck. Wow - that already sounds more positive! Yikes! This is going to be hard....
*and of course the one thing everyone says they are going to do - start working out, again. I have a different motivation this year though...we want to start trying for a baby, and I really want to be at a good weight when that happens. If I could lose about 15 pounds, that would be ideal to me. That way it may not be as hard to lose the baby weight. I know I can do this. I'm good about excuses for exercises, but usually try to force myself to do something...but the eating part. Oh how I loathe diets!!! But I know that if I just cut out a few things I will be on the right track, like sodas and loading up my coffee with sugar. And candy during the day. And second helpings. But I am not, I tell you this now, going to cut back on the chips and salsa. Even if that meant never losing another pound, I won't let it go.


HAPPY NEW YEAR Friends! Many blessings to you for a wonderful 2009.

A lot to be thankful for

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I have so much to be thankful for today...a new home, a new city, food in kitchen, a job, a wonderful husband and a family that is healthy. So much has changed in the past year. I was thinking about it today as I was cooking, thinking about last Thanksgiving and where I was....and where I wanted to be. I wanted to be here, in Denver, in a home of my own. And my dreams came true. Last Thanksgiving I didn't even have a clue about the job transfer and I knew we weren't going to be buying a home while in Maryland. I was content, but restless.
I had originally wanted to go to NM for Thanksgiving, but up until Tuesday, Tony didn't know that he had off of work on Friday, so it was going to be too long of a trip for just a day. So I cooked and we just had a quite dinner alone.
In 2005 my in-laws came to spend the holiday with us, then in 2006 Jenni and Rob flew out. But last year we spent it just the two of us, so we were ok with it again this year. Especially since we are going to Minnesota for Christmas.
We've already ate and everything turned out beautiful. The gravy was a mess, so we had to start over, but the second attempt turned out great. The cranberry sauce was too runny, but the dressing was the best yet! I then went into a food coma for a couple of hours, and now I think I'm ready for seconds.
We may attempt to go out tomorrow. We are in search of a wireless router. I'm nervous. I HATE shopping. I don't find it fun, I would rather not do it at all. If I was rich I would pay someone to do it for me. But we've seen a couple of really good deals, so I think I'm going to have to put on my brave pants and go for it.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I am thinking about you all and hope you have many blessings to be thankful for today.