Birthmas 2011

Okay finally. Here it is in all it's anti-climatic glory....because someone (me) left their memory card in their laptop and therefore could not take pictures with their camera. EPIC FAIL. However I managed to document a few things with the old Blackberry. And here they are.

Friday night we went out with Drew's brother and his wife to The Melting Pot. I have never experienced fondu before, but as Drew said "it's fonnnn to du it!" so I knew all would be well. It was so delicious I ate so much bread and broccoli covered in cheese. Then there was dessert. Ohhhh the glorious pot of chocolate and all the amazing things you could dip in it. I need a fondu set. Going on the Birthmas list for next year.

Christmas eve day was spent at Target because I forgot how to pack and left some necessities at home, and at Cub Foods to buy groceries for the weekend. We made black bean soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and listened to Christmas music to get in the festive mood before heading to family Christmas. Drew even wanted to wear this sweater.

While I appreciated his holiday spirit...I just could be seen with him like that.

 Now, I've been used to pretty small Christmas gatherings since 2005. Maybe 8 people tops. Prior to that my Christmases consisted of family gatherings at my grandparents house where there were maybe 25 people 30 at most. Drew has 21 first cousins. TWENTY ONE. Add him and his brothers that makes 25 grandchildren. It was overwhelming at first but after the second drink I was a-ok. 

Now on to the gifts!

First up, something I've been pining over at REI for I don't even know how long. And now, they're mine!

No, I have never gone snowshoeing before. However, I love hiking and snow hiking seems like fun. Now we just need some GD snow so I can use these and also use my other gift....

Patagonia snowpants! Despite it being 40 something degrees Christmas Day, I wore these home to Minneapolis. I cant wait to actually use them. 

I also got a Columbia fleece jacket, a North Face half zip fleece, annnndddd....

A flying lesson! Thats right in spring I will get a crash course in flying and actually get to sit in the cockpit and wear my aviators and bomber jacket and only answer to Maverick. 

Christmas evening Drew took me out to dinner to our favorite Indian restaurant (and I do mean favorite) Gandhi Mahal. I ate so much palak paneer I actually thought I was going to puke on the sidewalk. No joke. It really was touch and go there for a while. 

So there you have it. Birthmas 2011! I could not have planned it better myself. Full of food, family and friends and love :)

Cheers!

Marisa

Birthmas Aftermath

Remember that time I said after Birthmas I would do a sweet recap and catch up with you all? Well about that. See I drove back from Minnesota Monday late morning, got home did all my laundry, unpacked and all that good stuff. Then had to go to work...until after midnight. THEN today I had to get up go to work and then after work go to my OTHER work until 11pm. Needless to say, I'm exhausted and feeling ill. Tomorrow though I'm planning a much needed rest day and will then finally be doing a recap and catching up with everyone. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days Of Birthmas Day 23: Running on Diet Coke and Hope

I am a wreck. As in I haven't slept well this week AT ALL, have already worked 44.5 hours in 4 days and haven't had a decent well balanced meal in who knows how long. But! Things are looking up, as today is a half day and I get to head up north to spend my Birthmas with my favorite boy. I'm just so ready for this all to be over so I can get back to my regularly scheduled program. You know the one where I actually work out, eat something other than black beans and Ramen and sleep through the night. And don't fall back into old habits. I'm looking at you Diet Coke. Oh well could be worse, could have gone back to cigarettes right? 

Sorry I'm being a Grinch right now. What is my problem? It's Festivus, I'm heading to Minneapolis, and Birthmas is only TWO DAYS AWAY! Enough woe is me, bring on the festivities and the food. (And the presents too!) I think I said I was taking a hiatus like two posts ago. This time I mean it. I'm out Des Moines. See you when I'm 27!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa