Two Thoughts, One Post

Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve, Eve Gift!!!

I am so excited about Christmas. It should be a great time plus I get all next week off. We are planning on leaving the day after Christmas for Durango Mountain Resort (formerly Purgatory)! We got a condo that looks pretty nice and has a hot tub and indoor pool. The only problem with this ski trip is that there seems to be very little snow at this particular resort. Check out the snow report. If it stays like this, we plan on skiing maybe one day there while Ashley and Josh learn and then head down to Wolf Creek. It is a long drive but will probably be the only chance at real skiing until next year (and no I don't mean January). All in all, it should be a fun trip with the Ward's. Please PRAY for SNOW!!!

Katie's blog jogged my memory of a funny story from this summer. Justin and I were wanting to meet some more couple friends. They are hard to come by. We attended a friend's wedding and reception and hung out with one couple the whole time because none of us knew many people other than the bride and groom. We thought we had a good time and I even joked with Justin about getting their number. Well, when we all got up to leave, Peter (the guy of the couple) handed me his business card with his cell phone number and said to call them sometime to hang out. I was like, wow, we just picked up a couple! Unfortunately, we hung out a few times but just didn't hit it off. I think it was the let's go play putt-putt in the middle of the summer idea that threw me :) I just can't take the heat.

But, all joking aside, I hope Katie's friend turns out to be a better match.

For Brenda...

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? Yuck! I don't like chocolate period and I recently read a recipe for egg nog which might have turned me off forever
Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Santa sets them under the tree but he doesn't bring very many gifts! Mom and Dad want the credit they deserve
Colored or white lights on the tree/house? white on the tree. I don't have any on the house given we have an apartment but I want little colored ones to make it look like a gingerbread house when we do get one
When do you decorate? the weekend after Thanksgiving
What is your favorite holiday dish? sausage balls!! I could eat them for every meal
Favorite Holiday memory as a child? don't know if this is my favorite but my grandmother would not allow the baby Jesus figure to be in the navity scene until Christmas day. He had to travel around the house on his way to Bethlehem.
Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? We open on Christmas morning
What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa on Christmas Eve? never set out any cookies
Snow! Love it or hate it? I like it on the ski slope but not where I live
Can you ice skate? sure
What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? celebrating, including the birth of our savior, a time to be with loved ones, and the generosity and cheerfulness this time of year brings out in people
What’s your favorite holiday dessert? not big on dessert
What type of tree? Real, unless allergies preclude this
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving, there is always certain presents I am so excited about giving because I am so sure the person will love it
What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Candy Canes, YUCK or YUM? I'm with Brenda, I only like the multi-colored ones
Favorite All-Time Gift? Samantha, the American Girl Doll. Kara and I could hardly contain ourselves that year

Viva Italia!!!

Yeah!! We booked our trip to Italy today. We are going on a guided tour for 11 days!! We will be traveling to Florence, Rome, Venice, Verona, Siena, Ilse of Capri, and Pompeii!! We leave on April 6. Click here for an itinerary. We are soooo excited! It is Justin's first trip to Europe and I can't wait to show him all the wonderful things Kara and I got to see as well as see some new (well actually old) things. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the ruins at Pompeii.

In other news....we went to the office Christmas party this Saturday. I had been told that it was white elephant but to bring something others would actually want. Well, one couple didn't get the message. Out of 20 presents only two were actually white elephant and of course I picked one. Most were a Christmas plate, gift certificate, or other such desirable items. I got a glitter lamp. Although I couldn't find a glitter lamp as fabulous as mine online, here is a similar lamp.

Now I have two choices, give it to my little cousins or save it until next year. My heart says save it and subject someone else to the glitter lamp. However, my storage closet says get rid of it! Maybe Walmart wants it back :)

No News is Good News

It has been a relatively calm week in the lives of the Ward's. We went Christmas shopping this weekend. Look out, there are some great gifts coming your way! I also test drove a 4runner. It is a really nice car and I can't wait to get one. Today is a pretty good day. I mean after all I am wearing jeans and a fleece.

We went to have sushi last night with Lindsay at a place called Sushi Zushi near Oaklawn. It was very good and I recommend it to any sushi fan! I tried a new one called a Jalopeno roll with squid in it. Who knew I like squid. We also had a rainbow roll (see above).

We are going to a white elephant gift exchange for my office on Saturday. Any suggestions regarding gifts are welcomed (well, almost any...Crazy Uncle, please remember this is at the boss's house).

Things I love about Dallas in the 2000's (sorry I wasn't around for '70's Dallas)

the Cowboys
the Mav's
too many malls to count
Primo's, Mattito's and all the other Tex Mex joints
family near by
beautiful downtown and the ball
did I already mention the shopping??

Peace out :)

It's Christmas Time in the City....

Well, it is looking like Christmas time everywhere we go in the big D! We got our tree all finished and the house decorated. We got a new star for the top from Target yesterday. We hung our stockings by the chimney with care...or at least by the closest thing we have to a chimney :) Now we are just enjoying looking at the lights and cute ornaments while we watch TV at night.

Our Christmas Tree!!

His and Hers Stockings


My Favorite Ornament (Click to see more cute smores ornaments)



The Reason for the Season

P.S. Brenda - Thanks for noticing my Santa Claus! It was actually your blog with the cute Merry Christmas and blinking Starbucks logo that inspired me to add him.