2012-A Glimpse Back

A year in pictures and a few words too.

Happy New Year!

 

Source: thebargainblonde.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

January

We rang in the new year at our favorite resort with our favorite people. 

February

We sadly lost my beloved Aunt but found comfort that she is no longer in pain.

In happy news we were able to celebrate an early birthday/Valentine's present. 

We treated one another to see Boyce Ave. 

March

My bridal shower. 

So nice to have all my favorite ladies in one place! 

April

Just a little something. 

I became a Mrs. on April 29, 2012.

Lucky to marry the GREATEST guy around.

Absolutely the best day of our lives.

May

Living the newlywed life. Enjoying time with our friends. 

Found out we were pregnant.

Shocked to say the very least.

Def not planned but happy non the less.  

June

Bummer- Sadly we lost our baby due to an ectopic pregnancy the week before our honeymoon to Bermuda. 

It was a very tough time.

July

Trying to move on from a difficult time. 

Won't deny there were many dirty martinis consumed this month. 

August

Spent vacation in our favorite little town of New Hope.

September

We became an aunt and uncle for the second time. Decided to take steps to a better me. 

I joined Weight Watchers and started taking Zumba classes. 

October

Spent time reminiscing about our first date at apple orchard where we met back in October 2008

Did lots of hiking and continued to improve myself by losing weight and getting stronger.

November

Thanksgiving and my husband's 10 year high school reunion. 

December

Merry Christmas. 

Holiday parties, friends and family make it all so special. 

2012 had so many ups and downs this year. 

I am so happy to have married my best friend. 

This is only the start of a lovely life together. 

Cheers to only beautiful and happy things for 2013.

2012- My Fave Tunes

Happy New Year everyone!!!! We had a great NYE. Although I was still sick we did go out and celebrate (more on that tomorrow). I tend to get very emotional around NYE. I did this year as well. I think back all of the things we did, saw and heard. Here are just a few tunes I found myself addicted to last year. What about you? What were you listening to last year?

Top of 2012:

Hey Ho
The Lumineers

Little Talks
Of Monsters and Men

Lights
Ellie Goulding

Goyte
Somebody That I Used to Know

Too Close
Alex Clare

Lonely Boys
The Black Keys

Sunday Social

Favorite New Years eve you’ve had before:
Hmm I've had 2 really great NYE. 
 I made the decision on NYE to change my life. I left a boyfriend who had been caught cheating on me. We had been dating for 6 years and it was heartbreaking. He was the man I thought I would marry although I knew it was never going to work. 

As you can see I was still smoking and living it up. 

This was karaoke with friends!!! 

Last year was pretty great too. Brian, myself and our best friends spent the night at Crystal Springs Resort. Our friend bar tends there and at the time our friends lived right down the road. We had a blast! 

Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?

I would really hope to get rid of this nasty strep virus and spend NYE at Crystal Springs again with our friend's Mike and Jaclyn. Jaclyn is knocked up so we already have our DD!!! 

Isn't it beautiful?

Source: google.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Name a book we should all read come January?

I'm not really a reader and I hate that about myself. I mean I attacked 50 Shades series but that was like girl porn! A few friends have suggested Perks of Being a Wallflower. Any suggestions????

What are your new years resolutions?

1. I've started taking really good care of myself in September. I started taking Zumba and going to Weight Watchers. I've lost 11 pounds. Its coming off slowly but I'm starting the year smaller than I started off 2012. I hope to continue treating myself kindly both physically and mentally! 

2. I've let people walk all over me for way to long, family included and this year I will not stand for it! People have drawn the line in the sand so to say and I've decided if they don't want me a part of their life I don't want to be a part of it. Sometimes family isn't just blood its the people who are there for you when you need it most. My friends have been that for me more than some family members. If they aren't going to try neither am I. 

MERRY and BRIGHT

Merry Christmas everyone!!!


I'm about a week late but it has been so crazy around these parts I haven't had a second to even look at my Christmas pictures or even look at our gifts. It was a lovely Christmas with our family.  With a special surprise from my uncle on Christmas Eve. He flew up on December 24th and showed up at our Christmas party. It was so special to have him there. Reminded us how much we miss my Aunt Susan. We were all so worried about him in the days leading up to Christmas it was so very nice knowing he was ok. He even got snowed in with us because we had a white Christmas in NY! We have actually had a lot of snow this week and its snowing as I type. Another 3-5 inches on top of the 6 inches we got Wednesday. I guess winter is really here. I'm currently planted on my couch for the next 2 days. Strep throat has reared its ugly head. Perfect time to catch up on blogging!

I'd love to share all of our holidays moments with you.

Feast of the 7 fish. 

AMAZING

Mom in her element. Cooking for 20 people! 

Grandma and her grandkids! 

Uncle Tom is here!!! 

Best friend! 

Dad's expression when he opened his snow blower was priceless. 

He has already used it and it works perfect.

Mom's reaction was equally as awesome when she opened up her Matchbox 20 concert tickets.

My gift to Brian. 

 Just hope he doesn't lose a finger using his new power tool. 

He tortures my mom. 

My favorite boys playing with their toys. 

I can't believe its all over! I'm excited for the new year and all the great things I hope it brings for our family and yours. 

Happy Holidays! 

Winter Gift Swap

Last month I joined a winter gift exchange with A day in a Joyful Life and Insert Sarcastic Remark Here.

This was a great exchange and I knew I had to be part of it when one of the requirements were we had to do something charitable for some one else in addition to your partner's package. I was lucky enough to be given to Meg at Borrowed Heaven She had the fun task of shopping for me and I was given Rima  at Bolu by Rima. 

I got my package from Meg and was so excited. It was the perfect gift. Meg sent me a stocking full of goodies. I love that she included me in her family traditions. One of her favorite things on Christmas morning is opening stockings. Meg also made me a cinnamon ornament her family makes every year. 

Meg also included some candy, YUM. SHe included some sea shells from the Gulf Of Mexico, a sea shell ornament from Naples, FL a cozy scarf that matches my new coat perfect. Meg, how did you know??? She threw in a festive snow renuzit and some cookie cutters for baking. I loved the family card she sent me too! 

I almost cried when she mentioned sending a package of gifts in my name to the Hasbro Children's Hospital. Years ago a close friend of Meg's passed away after a long battle with cancer. Hoping that those children have a bright Christmas playing with those games. It means so much to me. My Aunt Susan spent many years in a children's hospital. She passed away this year so it means so much. Meg, I know Adam is up there looking down at you and knowing you're a wonderful friend to still think of him so many years later. 

Thank you Meg. You are such a beautiful soul!!! 

Jump over to Rima's blog if you'd like to see the goodies I sent her.

Originally I was going to donate to our local animal shelter in Rima's name. Since we completed the swap a week ago tragedy has fallen on Connecticut. Since then I was inspired by Ann Curry's 20 Acts or 26 Acts. She has urged us to commit one act of kindness for every child and teacher killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School. This week I started my 26 Acts. Won't you consider doing the same?
I don't always feel it is necessary to same your good deeds but I've decided to share my 26 in hopes of giving others ideas on how easy it is to do good for some one else.

Act 1- I donated a turkey to a family in need.
Act 2- Donated 3 toys to a local toy drive.
Act 3- Made dog biscuits and donated them to 2 local animal shelters.

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays. I'm so grateful to have EVERYTHING done for Christmas so this weekend for me is all about relaxing and spending time with friends and family!