Day 365: December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!! I had a fantastic 2011 and I'm looking forward to 2012! Thanks for reading along with my Year to Remember blog. 2011 certainly was memorable. I enjoyed soaking up every moment of 2011. My theme for 2012 is Make it Count!

For New Year's Eve, I celebrated by having dinner with my mom, Darrell and Grandma at one of our favorite places. Then, I met up with one of my good girl friends, Megan, and we shared a bottle of champagne and then went to a party hosted by one of my oldest friends, Tiffany.


Handsome Frankie wearing a bow tie to celebrate NYE!

Megan and I at the NYE Party!

Tiffany and I at the NYE Party!

Day 361: December 27, 2011

After I got home from the Christmas trip to Kansas, I unpacked my bags and packed a suitcase for PHX to visit my Grandma Rita and Aunt Mari!


Grandma Rita and me

It was great to see them, celebrate Christmas, relax and visit with them.

Day 360: December 26, 2011

I had a WHITE Christmas!

Kansas had a beautiful blanket of snow, which made for a lovely Christmas.

Day 359: December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

I had a very happy holiday with my family. I am so blessed.

Day 358: December 24, 2011

I love the magic of Christmas.

The Virgin birth of our Lord and Savior, the reason for the season. And, for fun, Santa, his reindeer and little elves who spread Christmas cheer. My favorite reindeer is Frankie!

Day 357: December 23, 2011

I love all of Frankie's holiday outfits. He's the most dressed up dog for Christmas, and all year round!

Day 356: December 22, 2011

Since we'll be spending Christmas Day in Kansas, my family decided to have our 'family' Christmas (and open all our presents!) before we left. Grandma made the Christmas dinner that I grew up eating: beef meatballs (I however, unknowingly grew up eating deer meat balls), mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. It was delicious!! Then, we opened presents. I am so blessed to have such a generous family.

Day 355: December 21, 2011

Tomorrow, December 22, we're celebrating our family Christmas before we leave for Kansas. Today, I wrapped my final presents. I am expecting a package to arrive (just in time) before we open presents tonight, so I had to get smart with my wrapping! I wrapped a couple boxes like they do in the movies, that way I can just throw the presents into the wrap box and put it under the tree.

Day 352: December 18, 2011

I really enjoy baking, so this year for Christmas, I asked for a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! Mom and Darrell let me open up the Christmas gift early so that I could enjoy baking during my TWO weeks off work. I know I'll make many delicious treats to share using my new mixer. Thanks Mom and Darrell!

Day 346: December 12, 2011

I am FIVE days away from my Christmas vacation! I can't wait to spend the holidays with my family. My favorite Santa Frankie is going to get spoiled to pieces during my time off from work. I have quite the calendar of plans during my vacation- I can't wait!

Day 343: December 9, 2011

One of my favorite things about Dallas is the variety of restaurants! We have so many awesome places to eat!! On Friday, I went to The Cedars Social with my Mom and Darrell and a few family friends for a lovely dinner. Good food, good drinks, good company.

Day 341: December 7, 2011

Grandma to the rescue!

I got ready for work this morning, piled on my winter coat and gloves and hurried to my car, because it was a chilly 26 degrees out this morning. (If it is going to be that cold, could mother nature at least reward us with snow and a snow day?!) I put the key in my ignition, and my car would not even turn over. The battery was as dead as a door nail, as my grandma would say. With Darrell out of town and Mom on her way downtown on the DART train, it was Grandma to the rescue! She quickly hurried over to my apartment so that I could jump my car. Before we knew it, the jumper cables were hooked up and my car was running! Thanks, Grandma for saving the day!

Day 325: November 21, 2011

I am thankful for my generous PTO (paid time off) that I earn at the firm I work at. I'm looking forward to have FIVE days off, Wednesday-Sunday, to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.

Day 314: November 10, 2011

I am thankful for my Grandma Ann. She moved to Texas from Minnesota a couple years ago, and having her living close has been such a blessing to me and my family. I have gotten the opportunity to see her on a regular basis, rather than just on holidays and special occasions. Grandma is also Frankie's doggie nanny. I couldn't have a dog and work as much as I do without Grandma's help. Everyday, she goes over to my apartment and spend a 'happy hour' (or sometimes more!) with Frankie. Frankie and GiGi share a special bond. I'm so blessed to have her as my Grandma.

Day 311: November 7, 2011

I am thankful for technology, not only my iPhone, but my computer, my TV, the Internet; the list is endless. It makes life easier sometimes (unless it is broken or not working properly, then it is just frustrating). I've often joked with my family that I couldn't have survived in the generations they grew up in. It is always so interesting hearing the stories my Grandma tells about living on the farm, having an outhouse, remembering when they got their first TV, etc. And it makes me appreciate that I am a product of the '80s. I know that I am spoiled by technology, but I'm ok with that.

Day 296: October 23, 2011

Happy Birthday Mom!

Day 272: September 29, 2011

As previously mentioned, I love wine.


Darrell and I are the newest members of the WSJ Wine Club!


It's the coolest club- they send you a case of wine every quarter.

Day 255: September 12, 2011

During my visit to Indianapolis, my Aunt Mari took me to the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Speedway is home to the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400.

The track is over 100 years old! I could just feel the history as we took a lap around the 2.5 mile track and toured the museum. The track is often referred to as the Brickyard as it was paved with 3.2 million bricks in 1909. My cousin Michael propsed to his now wife here at the Speedway!

The start/finish line is still paved with brick, even though the track has been repaved several times, a little bit of history remains.

If I was a racecar driver, I think this would be my car. It is the perfect shade of pink.

I had a great time in Indianapolis. It was special seeing my cousin Michael get married, I enjoyed spending time with my family, and enjoyed touring around the city.

Day 253: September 10, 2011

A couple years ago at my cousin Susie's wedding, my cousin Michael swore he wasn't getting married any time soon.

Well, as luck would have it, he met his now wife shortly after that.
After several years of dating, they finally tied the knot and sealed it with a kiss.


I am so glad I was able to share in their special day.

I had a blast at the wedding reception. There was a dress-up photo booth!
I got great pictures with my Grandma Rita.

And Aunt Mari.

Day 252: September 9, 2011

Today, I flew to Indianapolis, Indiana to visit family and see my oldest cousin Michael get married!!

I spent Friday with my Aunt Jeannie and her husband in downtown Indianapolis. We toured around the city and went shopping at the Circle Center Mall downtown!