Christmas Day 2008

On Christmas Day we go to my family's house in Pennsylvania and this year was no different. My mom came over and picked us up since it is on the way out to PA for them. We opened up our gifts from them first. She had bought me a coat the weekend before and then she got me an apple reed diffuser and apple candles for my kitchen, perfume, an ornament for me and Ben's first Christmas married, a silicone baking set . She also bought me some clothes on Black Friday. Ben got a gift card for Macy's, Gamestop, and McDonalds (don't ask...LOL). He also got a pair of jeans and cologne. After we opened our gifts we headed to PA to visit with my family. Lots of good food and of course a good time. It was a long 2 days but so worth it :)

Eric and Mom when we first got there

Me and Sis

Ben, Aunt Betty and Rusty

Matt and Amy

Me and Sissa

Me and my momma!

Singing Happy Birthday to Grandma Evans who turned 80 this week!

Aunt Shirley, Mom and Aunt Betty opening their gifts

Christmas Eve 2008

Well this year was the typical Christmas run around! On Christmas Eve we always go to Ben's dad's side of the family and then off to his mom's side.

So I worked 1/2 day on Christmas and then came home and got ready. We went to Ben's Aunt Cindy's house at around 5. Most people showed pretty quickly. We snacked mostly and hung out. Then around 7:30 his Grandpa handed out the gifts (we draw names since there are so many people - Ben's cousin Carmie Jo got us and we got Ben's cousin Ronnie who lives with us anyways). Carmie Jo got us a huge picture frame and picture paper for my printer. It was a pretty good time and for once no one cried which is always a feat with Ben's family!

Me before going to the families house

Ben's cousin Shannon's new baby - Dalton

Boyd Boys 2008 (take this picture every year at Christmas)

Then it was off to Ben's mom's side of the family. This year his mom was in town so that was fun. We got a bunch of wonderful gifts from her and Ben's uncle and grandpa! They are so wonderful to us :) Lots of gift cards and I got my first Willow figurine. I got a really nice Akron Zips hoodie and Ben got a nice Michigan one.

Unlce Don, Aunt Bev, Ben, Bleu, Sue, Grandpa

Scratching lotto tickets - Aunt Bev won $100!!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!! We will be traveling to PA today to see my family and last night we spent time with Ben's family (both sides). Got some wonderful gifts from them and his mom.

So Merry Christmas everyone!

Congrats!

So I know it's 11:30 pm on Christmas Eve but I just wanted to post a big congrats to our friends Kyle and Liz who got engaged tonight!! I'm so happy for them, they have been dating 5 years and she really wanted to be engaged and he kept saying no not right now. They just moved into a house together (and just recently had moved into an apt together over the summer). He did a great job at hiding this and she is super thrilled so congrats to them both! I wish you guys all the best!!

Santa Claus is comin' to town

Ok, so Santa isn't coming but Ben's mom is and she's staying through Jan. 2. She gets in late tomorrow night so she is staying with Ben's grandpa. I still don't know how much she is staying there vs. staying here. I guess time will tell. I still can't believe Christmas is here already. Luckily I am done with all but 1 person for Christmas shopping and that would be Ben's grandpa and he hasn't decided what to get him yet. I am just as clueless so I told him he was on his own for figuring that one out!

Work is going decent. Very busy still. I would like them to hire someone soon but I am not seeing an end in sight yet. Still waiting to hear what's going on but keeping my fingers crossed. It's so stressful doing 2 jobs and being pulled in all those directions. I can't wait for some help! I have plenty to do though, that's for sure! We are having our GOJO Holiday Lunch on Friday where everyone brings something in and we eat. It's a lazy day to say the least. Then we are leaving around 3 to go bowling in Montrose at Riviera Lanes. Should be a good time. It will be nice to get out of work that early even if we are still with work people :) It's better then doing nothing at all!

This past weekend we went out for Melanie's 26th birthday. It was a good time, we just went to the Basement for some drinks. Haven't seen Mel and Brian in a few weeks so it was good to see them. And Liz and Kyle moved recently about 1/2 hr away so I got to see them also :)

Beginning of the Night

I love him <3>

This is after a few...just a few ;)
Some of the gang....too bad Liz was being silly

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We got our tree up on Sunday and I am sooo excited! We put it up the first year we were here in the house (2006) but last year we didn't put it up because Dukey Dog was a puppy and he was such a chewer I was afraid it would be destroyed. So 2 days down and no issues with him yet so here's to 23 more!

Me with the empty tree

Ben putting the lights on (this takes a while)

Harley and Duke had to help Dad

All decorated!

All lit up in the dark - so pretty!