Closing the Books on 2008

I can't believe I let the Holiday Season go by without blogging! I just wanted to post a few of our year-end highlights before starting my 2009 Blogging.

1. My Fall Wreath, inspired by Handmade Holiday, as seen on Ali Edward's Blog.
















2. How cute is this outfit from Target?






















3. Adrienne came to visit from Atlanta, so she, Megan and I got to spend some quality time together. We had so much fun shopping at Windy City Scrapbooking and eating Tapas and Paellla at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba! I have to say that I love both of those places and want to go back soon! Of course, I have no pictures of our adventures because, for some reason, we hardly ever take them when we're together anymore. It makes no sense because we don't see each other very often. Maybe we're all photo-ed out from College?

We did start our December Daily Albums and I am particularly excited about these papers by Theresa Collins.

4. Aaron and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. No, all of the dishes didn't match (we did use our Wedding China though!). Yes, we had to eat in the basement to fit everyone around a table (it IS a finished basement at least). But, it was still wonderful and we were very proud of ourselves! WE DID HAVE A TON OF HELP THOUGH, and everyone brought a dish (or more) to pass. I made the BEST stuffing ever! It doesn't look so hot (bottom left corner of photo), although when does stuffing really look that appetizing? I got the recipe from an episode of The Cooking Loft (I left out the turkey "parts" - that seemed so gross to me!).
















5. We had such a great time at Disney World and on our Carribbean Cruise in early December. We flew into Orlando, spent 3 full days at Disney and drove the 3ish hours to Ft. Lauderdale for our 6-night Cruise with Royal Carribbean. The Cruise stopped in Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico.

Disney

Having fun at Epcot





















Hollywood Studios
















Safari at Animal Kingdom
















Meeting Minnie (Finally!)
















Ella napping in her stroller





















Cinderella's Castle lit up in Christmas lights and Fireworks

















Cruise

Ella looking out the Window at Breakfast (she did this everyday!)





















Belize City, Belize (this is all we got to see of Belize...)















Ella's first feel of sand/first time in the ocean (Costa Maya, Mexico)





















Wrapped up like a burrito in Daddy's shirt





















Playing with Daddy in the Salt Water Pool & with Mommy on the Hammock






















Our Cruise Ship, Independence of the Seas
















Our Christmas Card Photo















Bye, Bye Ocean!

6. We were fortunate to have visits from Sarah, Carl & Patrick, despite the icky weather! It was a shame to cancel our reservations at Tsukasa though!

7. Christmas was wonderful. Ella wasn't really all that excited about opening the gifts but she liked the bows and she loved all of the toys that made sounds and had lights! Everyone was so generous and we were so blessed. It was so awesome to experience our first Christmas with Ella Rose!

At Grammy & Grandpa's House (The Carsons) - Christmas Eve




















At Our House - Christmas Morning




















At Nana & Papa's House (The Kohlmeiers) - Christmas Afternoon

At Nana Rose & Papa Bob's House (Grandma & Grandpa Nelson) - December 27th