Highlights from the Christmas Season 2009

Every Christmas season has them... special little, magical moments in time, when you realize things are exactly the way they were meant to be. Decorating the tree with Alexxis this year was like that for me.

I don't believe I've ever heard so much "oohing" and "ahhing" in all my life as I heard the sounds of pure delight on this night. Alexxxis loved helping me decorate our tree and I enjoyed it so much I want to make it "our" special little yearly tradition! I was so totally amazed at how gently she unwrapped the glittered ornaments from their tissue paper storage and so lovingly hung them on the tree. I apologize for the poor photo quality of the photo but at least I got one before the camera batteries died!

Our Christmas tree decorated... Thank you, Alexxis! :)
And Thank You! to Aunt Mary and family for sending us a few special gifts,
like those shown below. {We miss you, esp. @ the holidays!}

{Mary's gift to me! :)}

Alexxis opening a few of her presents!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Our December home...

After months of remodeling, it was finally time to begin bringing things back into the room. Although, to be completely honest, I was loving the simplicity of the room and hesitated to learn to let go of that for awhile. The first thing, I to be added should be a reflection of you... so here's my first contribution to the room, a small nook for drawing and journaling --- just for me!

Of course, furniture was added, then removed or rearranged...



a variety of arrangements were tried and then, once again rearranged...

then, I began realizing it's Christmas, so I started all over again.

But awhhhh, this is so much better!

and in the process of all the re-arranging, sometimes something will get broken...

like my rooster measuring cup holder... but never fear...

there's always a decorating answer just waiting near.

Our 2nd Anniversary...

A cozy, intimate dinner for two.....

@ home by the tree.... just you and me....

because sometimes, we need a little reminder...

and a surprise! waiting for you...

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Baby!

I love you!

and do you remember these shoes???

Our section of our "new" living room....

July - Nov/December....

On July 25th, we received an unexpected surprise when our living room ceiling collapsed and we quickly found ourselves in the middle of a major remodel!

Demo began quickly as we started tearing out the ceiling, carpet, pad, paneling, and ceiling trim.

Soon we found ourselves, tearing out and replacing both insulation and drywall with new...

a lot of mudding and drywall dusting ensued.... this was our view for a few weeks!

But only a few months later, and we added new ceiling and sconce lights...

and finished the flooring, too!

Fourth of July!

Good Times, LOL!

Country Concert '09; con't

Don and I, taken by ??? LOL! Between Little Big Town and Sugarland performing...

Sugarland and Little Big Town were amazing! Both groups played a combination of their older hits and their new music, so the concert itself was fantastic! Here's some great shots that I captured of Jen Nettles and Kristen on stage!!!

One of my favorites of Jen!

The energy they put off on stage is absolutely amazing! And Jen's voice, well, that speaks for itself!

Another favorite!

Thank you, Country Concert '09! We LOVED you!!! and our day ROCKED!!!

Country Concert '09; con't...

It wasn't before long we meeting new friends and partying with the people around us. The chick in the lower left of this photograph was from North Carolina and sat beside me:

We partied away the afternoon... then, Little Big Town came out and did a wonderful performance! The sang my favorite song, "Boondocks" and later performed, "Life in A Northern Town" along with Sugarland!

A photo of me, taken by Don.... {buses and souvenior tents in background}...

and one of my favorite photographs taken that day!

Thank you! We had an absolute blast!!!!

Catching up.....

Over the course of the summer, Don and I enjoyed alot of different activities! So much, in fact, that it's now December when I have finally found a moment to edit some photographs and compose a post, LOL! I have soooo much updating to do......

Anyhoo, here's some of the highlights from our first ever visit to on July 9th to Country Concert '09!!!!

The story goes, something like this...... I signed up as a Sugarland fan on facebook and a few days later, I learn that Sugarland is playing in Fort Laramie, Ohio at Country Concert '09 with another one of my favorite country bands, Little Big Town..... {I'll let you imagine the begging that ensued... :} and long story short..... July 9th arrives and off we go!!! We made the two hour road trip without any problems, arrived at the campgrounds, purchased tickets, parked, and a special "Thank You!" to the event staff handicapped parking attendent we quickly learned the ropes.

She explained to us that we needed to get chairs in this line that was beginning to form because when they open the concert area @ 10 a.m. everyone would be running to get some of the best seats for the concert into an area known as "The Gold Circle" Here is an aerial view, I later discovered online {the Gold Circle area is in the lower right directly in front of the stage}:

When the gate opens, all hell breaks loose, people start running... some to the right, some to the left, some taking the center lane and they run, with chairs, coolers ect. trying to be the first however many allowed in the Gold Circle area and with a little help from some new friends who had been there previously, Don and I were soon setting up our lawn chair in the sea of at least a hundred or so...... "This spot looks great to me!"


and "Look, Baby Girl! Someone brought you some seats!" LOL!

Shortly after setting up, we enjoyed watching Joey and Rory on stage. They are the cutest and I just loved their Overstock commercial about the song and guitar! :)

and hubby, he's having a great time! Munching on the BLT your truly made to bring along, with plenty of cold drinks!!!