Merry Christmas

Cutting the Tree 2010

Old & New Traditions: Friendsgiving

Every year, one of my favorite get-togethers happens around this time. Since before I met Matt, his group of friends has gotten together each year around Thanksgiving to hold a tradition they call Friendsgiving. It's a time for the friends to get together and have their (our) own Thanksgiving dinner with our "other" family.

This year, I planned one for my group of high school friends. I hope it carries on each year. It's nice to know that at least (hopefully more) once per year, the whole group of us can get together with our significant others and eventually our families so that we can remember to be thankful for everything we have. Here's to traditions - new and old.

Pumptoberfest 2010

Another successful Pumptoberfest! Can't wait 'til next year!

Andi, Marissa, Diane, Mariel, & I in the apple orchards

Al in the pumpkin patch

The Leonard family in the corn maize

Mariel, Jon, Paul, Marissa, Andi, Mia, & Diane in the Maize

Matt, hiding in the corn

Carving Pumpkins


Dahla chasing darts

Not quite the turnout of last year, but there's always next year!

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July! This year didn't seem so Independence Day-like to me. Growing up, it was tradition for me to spend the day in Winthrop with some of my "family" and watch them dress like goofballs for the parade in the morning, stay on the beach and eat all day, and watch the fireworks at night. Now that I am grown up (supposedly), the Fourth is Matt's birthday. The past few years, Matt & I have only attended the parade & then headed off to do his birthday stuff. This year, we opted out of the parade & decided we'd head to Winthrop for the fireworks. I was psyched to be there for them, but it didn't feel like the 4th, being able to sleep in & hanging around the house during the day without seeing the fam dressed up in the most ridiculous costumes ever! Regardless, we had a really nice day. Matt's family came over for a little birthday cookout & it was nice to see everyone & spend time with them. Then we headed into Winthrop with my parents for what turned out to be some AMAZING fireworks.

My cousin Anthony taking a picture of the rainbow
The rainbow
I sat at the picnic table in the backyard & didn't use the zoom. This plane was surprisingly far away compared to how low they usually fly.
Sunset
Balcony view, Twisted Tea, Sunset, Harbor, Fireworks = Heaven
Sitting on the balcony, watching the explosions

Family Reunion

I have a somewhat multi-faceted family, part of whom I haven't met or in the least, haven't seen since I was 10 years old. Some of these family members live right near me and others live as far as California and beyond. A wedding of one such cousin brought many back to the Northshore, so my aunt and I organized a bit of a reunion this past weekend. When I was younger, I remember going to these reunions fairly often and meeting people who claimed I looked just like my dad and told me stories of long ago and things my father probably wouldn't have voluntarily shared. This time I was able to really meet my family members and put faces with the names I've heard so many times over the years. It was so wonderful for me to see so many generations together and see family still so close after all these years.

Generation 1: Uncle George, Nana, Gramps, & Auntie Peggy
Generation 2: Dad & his cousins
Generation 3 & 4: The Cousins's Kids & Grandkids
The Guys
The Gals
My dad, me, & our cousin Leann
The Trouble-Makers of the Fam: Leann, Dad, George, & Monica

Valentines Weekend Tradition

Valentines weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. I'll admit it; I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day. I don't care how commercialized it is. I also love it, though, because it's our anniversary. We go away every year around this time. We take turns planning it and this year was my turn. It's a nice tradition because it gives us something to look forward to every year. Last year, Matt and I went up to North Conway & stayed at Adventure Suites. It was really exciting because before we left, we checked out open houses & found our house! We had just put in an offer before we left for our night away so we had been waiting by the phone to hear the news. When we found out that they had counter-offered, we were so disappointed... but it all worked out!

This year, we headed up to spend the weekend at Steele Hill Resorts in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, right near Gunstock Mountain. It was great because we got to spend two nights instead of the usual one, & we got to go on a sleigh ride at Gunstock because my college roommate Meredith is running them this year. We had such a nice time. I can't wait to see where we end up next year!
In honor of our anniversary, I contemplated making a list of the reasons I love Matt, but I don't think I could list them all or put them all into words. I can say, however, that I am lucky enough to be engaged to my best friend. I love you, Matt - Happy Anniversary!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to share some pictures from a wonderful Christmas holiday. I am very blessed to have wonderful family, friends, & students as well as an amazing fiance and a beautiful home.

A Christmas tree of cupcakes for the Willard Family Christmas Party

Cupcakes for the English department meeting
Handmade picture frame by one of my students

Angelina on Christmas Eve

Dominick
Opening gifts on Christmas Eve

Mama & Papa with their youngest great-grandson

Mama & Papa with Danny, Jr.

TJ is laughing because even he never thought his brother would get so excited over a Wizard of Oz Monopoly game
Cory with his Monopoly

Lasagna

TJ

Shannon & Emily

Shannon & Katie

Opening presents on Christmas Day

Damon with his new Red Sox hat, just like Matt's!

Damon modeling all of his new stuff
The recipe box I made for J

Recipes from friends, Hilltop ladies, & LynnArts employees for J to try her hand at:)
Thanks to Beth, Marissa, Mariel, Matt, Sue H., Sue L., Sue G., Nancy F., Auntie Donna, Kathy M., & Cynthia W.,:)