Winter In Ohio

I went home to Ohio for a few days, sans Tony thanks to a new job (yeah!) and few leave hours.

It was a good trip, all in all, though not as relaxing as I had initially planned--though things rarely are. Apparently it's unacceptable to be 25 and stay in your pajamas all day for 5 days straight, though Lord knows I wanted to.

It was very snowy and VERY cold the entire time I was there. I've become a total wimp living in south Texas and southern California for over 6 years now. Sigh.

We celebrated an early Christmas as a family by putting up the tree, exchanging some gifts and having a proper Christmas supper.

This is my mom's favorite ornament. The tree is utterly incomplete without it.

This is my favorite ornament, my mom made it way back in the day.

Our creche completes the holiday decor--built by my grandfather back in the 70s.

Oh yes, it was a joyous time on Meadowview Dr!

I got to spend some time with my granny too, which is always never enough.

Dad got some good napping in...and yes, this really is how he sleeps. Like a corpse.

I finished my stay in Ohio by attending a cocktail party and visiting some old, dear friends.

Deer in headlights :).

Happy Holidays!

Technical Difficulties

Hey Guys,

I've been having trouble uploading photos for the past few weeks. As you can see from my last post, the photos don't look normal.

Bear with me!

Happy holidays!

Lisa

Ballooning

Hello there.

I'm an official honorary aeronaut.

Why, you may ask, do I have such a title?

It's 'cause I went up in a hot air balloon. High over the Temecula countryside, with Ambo and Shaza.

Sweet Birthday Breakfast!

Thanksgiving 2010

I know, it's a little late.

Bear with me. I had a very demanding fellowship application due this past Wednesday, and all other things took a backseat.

Thanksgiving this year was wonderful. Tony's parents came in from Missouri, and we had several days of relaxing, cooking, eating and antique shopping.

My mom and dad were there in spirit too--my mom, knowing the necessity of a good holiday centerpiece, had one delivered from the local florist.

We had a big dinner Thanksgiving day, with all the fixin's.

Tony's busy cutting the turkey :).

My best bud Amber came over and made the holiday complete!

Tony's mom and dad, relaxing before dinner.

Such a great holiday!

Ed and Ralph's Adventure to Iron Mountain

Ed: "Oh Gosh Oh Gosh Oh Gosh!!! I'm in the CAAARR!!!"

Ralph: "I think I'm gonna live up to my name... *Burp*"

Ed: "Oh Gosh Oh Gosh Oh Gosh!!! I'm OUTSIIIIDEEE!!!"

Ralph: "Just stick close to me, brother..."

Tonester.

Ed: "Oh Gosh Oh Gosh Oh Gosh!!! I love DAD!!!"

Ralph: "Oh Gosh Oh Gosh Oh Gosh!!! I love Dad TOO!!!"

Whew. 1/4 mile in 90F heat = thirsty puppies.

Ed: "Oh Gosh Oh Gosh Oh Gosh!!! I love TREES!!!"

Ralph: "Knock it off, Ed. You're trying to overshadow the attention I'm about to get from Dad, and I don't like it!"

Exhaustion.

Saffron (Kee) is indifferent.

Long legged boys!

Around the house

We've had a lot to do around here in the past few weeks, which is why I'm so awful at keeping you all updated.

Also, I had a quick, wonderful jaunt to New Orleans to visit a dear friend. I love Jackson Square!

We now have a lush, green lawn. Unfortunately, that lush, green-ness is not due to grass. It's due to weeds. We'll take whatever we can get :).

They look like little alfalfa sprouts!

Also, I saw this guy outside recently. What in the world.

I've been frantically trying to get the house ready for Thanksgiving and for Tony's parents to visit. Even though we've lived in the house since July, as of two days ago, there was not ONE picture/art anything aside from the TV hanging up on the walls.

Augh!

Well, we fixed up the guest room, so now it at least looks nice instead of a barren cell!

Instead of covering up the fireplace with an old wood palet, we decided to buy a real fire-place cover--a nice touch to the living room!

We're still working on hanging up family photos and other art we have collected over the years, hopefully it (along with a thorough cleaning and shopping for the Thanksgiving holiday) will get done before this Wednesday!