Christmas and New Year's 2008!

Pat and I set up our first Christmas tree! Actually, it was my first Christmas tree since High School. My parents only set up a tree twice in our home when I was a kid. Yes, they are a bit of curmudgeons when it comes to Christmas decorating, but not to worry, we always went to either Grandma's house where there was always a tree to celebrate with!

It was so much fun to decorate. I had a box of decorations that my grandmother had given me when she moved out of her house so all the decorations were old and some were meaningful!

We also had a tree lit up out front. Pat got the second tree out front working too, for the first time in three years, but it once again failed to cooperate for very long.

Christmas day we opened our presents to each other. I got a beautiful blue topaz ring! I was quite surprised and absolutely love it. I was a bit more practical in my gift giving, Pat got a new shirt and vest (perhaps I'll learn from him the more festive part of gift giving too!)

Then we went over to Jessica's house to have Christmas dinner with Jessica & Marc, their two girls Grace & Zoe, Jessica's mom, Marge and her husband Lee, and Betsy, Jessica's sister, and Rob, Betsy's husband, and their son Ben. It's so much fun to be around kids on present opening day- they were sooooo excited! Betsy made duck for dinner and Pat and I made bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos and a cheese plate. It was all veerrrrryy yummy! Then after the kids went to bed, we all learned how to play Texas Hold-em from Marc. I'm a bit too reckless with my betting, but Pat won the whole game!

Friday, Pat and I went down to my aunt and uncle's house on Lake James. We had dinner with Leslie and Mark, my cousin Meredith, Grams & Grampy, and Mom & Dad. Then we brought Mom & Dad back to Asheville for a couple of days.

Saturday Mom and Dad & Pat and I went for a hike in the Bent Creek hiking area. It was great to get outside and get some mud on our shoes. Then Jess, Betsy & I went to see the movie, Marley and Me. Then we went out to dinner with the whole gang. Sunday we relaxed more and then the women all had wine together Sunday night. I love Pat and being with him almost all the time, but it was great to have some girl time!

Then back to work on Monday, but the stomach flu got me Monday night, so I recovered on Tuesday and then worked on Wednesday. For New Year's Eve, we went out to dinner with about 12 theatre friends of mine to a new place in town, Nine Mile. It was good food and good friends. Then we went back to one of their homes to watch the ball drop and play a game of Celebrity Catch Phrase. I have to say it was a bit less raucous than some other New Year's Eve, and a great way to ring in 2009.

Pat & I spent New Year's Day with just each other, it was great. And we've had a pretty quiet weekend since then too. I had a couple friends over on Saturday afternoon to sip hot apple cider and talk about our New Year's goals and resolutions, but I think I came away from it just wanting to be with Pat, take care of my health and let the ride of being with Jesus take me wherever it goes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of Pat's family in Boise!