Starting it up: Wow, it's been a while part 1

So, wow. I didn't realize how long it had actually been since my last posting. Halloween. That's crazy. And way too long. so this is going to be done in segments! Lets see. I guess the next big event was Thanksgiving and Christmas. Both went very smoothly. If I left it at that though, you'd probably be mad at me! Lets see, what can I remember about Thanksgiving???? We had a lot of food, and we actually got our sweet potatoes made unlike last year and our "sandied" yams! We actually had TWO turkeys. Dad deep fried one at Mandi and Steve made the traditional turkey at their house, which is where we all celebrated. Hmm, who all was there. I guess all the regulars. Mandi, Steve and Addyson; Mom and Dad; TJ; Grandpa (??); Grandma, Jim, Shania and Makalia; Ellie and me. My memory is so shot now. Last year was so crazy, I hope I got that right. Everything is kinda mushed in together. I do remember it was really nice to have the whole family there. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas there was one major event.

Tom came home for good... well at least until the next deployment (june 2010???? rumint has started talking already...) Well, the long and short of it is that originally I was going to meet Tom, then I wasn't, then with the help of a journalist client of mine, some big wigs got involved, and I got a free ticket down there and a refund for the original! Tom didn't know I was going to be there and I surprised him! I also surprised him with the fact that since I had gotten there a whole day before him, I called a moving company and got all our goodies out of storage and into our apartment. He was totally stoked and he seemed super happy. Unfortunately, it only last a couple days before I had to go back and finish school. Another week and half... blah! Well, I finished school and he came up to DC on the 20th, and that was the first time he had seen Ellie since August. It took a mere 10 mins before she was all over him again just as she was when he left months before. It was exciting and relieving all at the same time. I'm sure Tom felt the same way. We only spent a couple days in MD but in those days we, well, actually I can't remember all that was done. I know for sure that we made it out to WV for the Stephen's Christmas which was a lot of fun, as always. We also had my immediate family's Christmas. It was basically to exchange gifts between Tom, Ellie and I and the rest of the family. Mandi and Mom both got beautiful coaster sets hand made by Kirk, and Mom and Dad got their first bat box! (also handmade by Kirk) The looks on their faces when they realized what it was was priceless. That was the look that made you realize how much better it is to give than receive! We left for Seattle to spend Christmas, where another surprise awaited!

We told Mom and Dad (Barb and Kirk) that we would be arriving the Saturday after Christmas. Well, the real plan was that we were being picked up by Beth (Tom's sister) and was staying with them for a couple days. Mom and Dad were planned to go to Beth's Christmas Day, and surprise surprise! Who do they see?! Well, not me, I was upstairs blow drying my hair, but.... Tom and Ellie were down stairs to greet them with open arms! I still wish I could've seen their reactions! It was a perfect surprise, and Christmas gift! To top it all off, we had a white Christmas. Yes, Seattle had been hit by a whole mess of snow, and it made the surroundings beautiful to behold (but a pain in the butt to be in). Ellie didn't care too much for the way snow felt. We tried, but... not her cup of tea. We had a great time in Sammamish. We did a whole lot of nothing! It was great, and something I think Tom and I both needed after our past year. We got to see the rest of the immediate family and just spend quality time together. I think that's where all of the bonding really happened with Tom and Ellie. We had told a couple of friends we would try to make it out there, and we did feel bad that we couldn't, but sammamish was a mess and we weren't testing the waters. We had a great Christmas there as well. I also received my set of coasters, as well as beth and meg. There were hand made goodies all around! It was great! A crafty lot they are! I also made my very first quilt! It's a beautiful quilt and I have found a great new hobby. Although, this was made with help from Mom, and had I realized she had done all the hard parts, I may have thought twice before offering to make some for others... more on that later! =P I think that's it for the holidays. In part 2, I'll let you know how the trip to TX went, the move and the adjusting! Much love to you all, and I hope you enjoyed catching up!