It's been a year...

This time last year, we were finishing our drive across the country... pulling onto our new street for the very first time... laying eyes on our rental house for the first time.  We had grand plans last year to pop a bottle of champagne in our new home, and check out some of  the excitement in South Lake Tahoe.  What actually happened: we unpacked our stuff and cleaned our filthy new place until we were too exhausted to keep going and we crashed around 11ish?

So, you are probably wondering what we will be up this year on New Year's Eve?  Well, we have super exciting plans...  we are going to eat junk food and watch movies on the couch, followed by a few shots of nyquil (because we both have colds) and an early bedtime!  WooHoo!  Exciting times.

2013 has been an absolutely amazing year.  We have met some amazing people.  We have had many new experiences and we've seen a lot of new places.  This past year totally exceeded my expectations.  I'm actually very grateful for this blog... it allows me to go back and read old posts which is great for reminiscing at the end of the year.

I think most people look forward to starting a new year because they are tired of the old year and ready to start fresh again.  I feel so blessed to say that 2013 was amazing and I can't imagine 2014 being any better!  We have pretty big plans for 2014 so far though, so here's to hoping it will also be amazing!

In 2014 I am praying for the HEALTH and genuine happiness of all my friends and family. Happy New Year everyone!!!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE you all!!!

"There is no path to happiness, happiness IS the path."  - Buddha 

Christmas 2013

We've been busy getting settled into our new place... just in time for Christmas. The move went smoothly.  We got it all done in 3 days (including cleaning both places and hanging all the pictures, etc).  We are happy with the new place so far and plan to stay here for at least a year and a half.  

 Last year at this time, we were surrounded by our friends and family for Christmas before we departed on our cross country adventure.  This year, it was just us.  We really missed spending time with everyone, but enjoyed some quality time as our own little family.  

I worked until noon on Christmas Eve.  Once home, I immediately changed into my pj's and headed to the kitchen to start baking.  Mike and Zater napped while I baked and watched Christmas movies... all by the glow of our hand cut Christmas tree!  [Quick side story: we took all the ornaments off the tree while moving it from one house to the other... ya know... to minimize the risk of breaking the glass ornaments... once in the new house I redecorated the tree... which stood for about a day... then fell over... breaking some of the ornaments.  Go figure.]

No mantle?  No worries!  We hung our stockings on the stair railing.  

 I really think nothing smells better than baking chocolate chip cookies.  It's so comforting.  And this year I made homemade cinnamon rolls... which I will probably make a yearly tradition.  they were pretty tasty.

It was a relaxing holiday for us, which was greatly appreciated since the last few weeks have been pretty busy.  And, thankfully, there is skype!  So we were still able to see and talk to most of our family members.  Next year, you all should spend Christmas in Tahoe!  Merry Christmas everyone!  

"For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord."  - Luke 2:11

Well, winter is back...

We have temps in the single digits... dipping down below zero during the night.  We also got a couple feet of snow from the most recent storm.  Mike and I were able to do some skiing in the fresh powder.

Changing topics, a family friend was recently hospitalized after a motorcycle crash.  Please keep him, and his family in your prayers.  His daughter is getting married in just a few days and I feel sure that she desperately wants her father there.  I have been praying for everyone involved but please, if you are reading this, take a moment to pray for his speedy recovery and that her wedding day is everything she dreamed it would be.

To change topics again... we are moving!  We are renting the house we currently live in, and the landlord has put it up for sale.  We've been showing the place as much as possible, but now it's time for us to move on.  So, next weekend we will be carrying ALL of our belongings to the house right next door.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly and there won't be a blizzard.

Well, I think that's the latest news from Tahoe.  Stay tuned.