Bringing in 2015

This year we kept it low-key and had a few close friends over to ring in the new year. It worked out for the best since it was cold out (shocker) and I really didn’t feel like going out. Yesterday my wonderful Oma passed. It was a long time coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier. So having some of my best friends, Jimmy, Kai, and a fire sounded perfect to me.

Kai is not amused

We did have a great Baked Brie and Cranberry Braid I made.

I usually write our goals for the upcoming year, but I’ll save that for another post.

It’s Christmas Time Again

I think this is our most beautiful tree ever. Mainly because I totally “hacked Christmas.” I was inspired by this post I found via Pinterest and used two different Christmas light bulbs. It made the tree so much brighter and created more shadows. I also went old school and used all brown wrapping paper. I did decorate the presents with red, gold & silver ribbons and bows, but of course, didn’t take a picture of that. Oh well.

I did take a picture of the gold tipped manicure I gave myself. Kurt calls it a “Dubai Manicure” instead of your traditional white tipped French Manicure.

And the only picture we took on Christmas is Kai enjoying his presents: a deer antler & a new super soft blanket.

I’ll end with the bumper sticker we are currently rocking on Jimmy’s car: “Keep Christ in Christmas.” Amen.

Thankful Heart

I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s because I’m sentimental and like to reflect on what I’m thankful for. Maybe it’s because it’s right after my birthday so I typically get a card or gift. Maybe it’s because I very much enjoy eating comfort foods like green bean casserole. Whatever it is, I love this holiday.

This year we spent it like we typically do:

• Thanksgiving Lunch at the Racine house in VA (Jimmy’s family) This, as always, ended with a few fun and hilarious rounds of Buzz – I 100% lost every round, but had a blast
• Thanksgiving Dinner at the Erickson house (my aunt & uncle’s) in MD (my family)

Yes, this means every year Jimmy and I eat two thanksgiving dinners. It is glorious. And difficult. And I wouldn’t change it at all.

Jimmy and I are very lucky because our families live close to one another and get along. So we do some holidays all together, but I like the individual time with each family as well. It’s a little less chaotic so you get the quality time.

Now on to the sentimental:

This year I am thankful for:

• my wonderful family (both sides) – they support & love me and are some of my favorite people
• Jimmy – he is definitely part of my family, but I felt he should have his own line
• Kai – I consider him part of my family but he gets a special shout-out for being the best. And on Kai’s note, I’m thankful for my Uncle David. Kai was very sick this year. After being on antibiotics for a few days, he still wasn’t getting any better so I emergency rushed Kai to my uncle (who is an amazing vet) in MD. My uncle took so much time and care to make sure Kai got the treatment he needed. Kai being sick was the absolute worst so I am so thankful he is back to his wonderful doggie self.
• my new job that is so close to our house
• our house
• my ankle finally healing so I can start exercising again – sadly not in time for the half marathon, but I will sign up for another.
• Jimmy’s promotion

And probably so much else I can’t even think of.

The Happiest Place on Earth

We just got back from our first vacation with the Racine family. Jimmy’s Dad planned the best vacation. We started the trip by leaving at 8:45am Christmas morning (a little rough, thank goodness we limited ourselves to one glass of eggnog Christmas eve). Then it was off to sunny CA. Seriously it was sunny at around 80 every single day. I could get used to that.

We hopped off the plane at LAX (haha), headed to the hotel, then straight to Disneyland.

View from the hotel

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

The first day we rode quite a few rides and explored.  First up was Pirates of the Caribbean. We did a shooting game at Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Jimmy won #typical. Jenny was pretty amazing too. Me, not so much. We went on Winne the Pooh, so cute. Our last ride of the night was Splash Mountain where I was told we would maybe get a little damp. With Jimmy in the front and me right behind him, we were soaked. Luckily this was at the end of the night so we just went back to the hotel for some pizza and a glass of wine.

The next day we went to California Adventure in our matching shirts and Mickey/Minnie ears. Everyone at the park was welcoming the Racine Family on our vacation and throwing out complements. I was so proud. It also made for some great photos – coming soon. Including one with Stitch. We went on Goofy’s Fly School, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Monster’s Inc, Soarin’ over California, and Tower of Terror.

The next day was our last Disney day. We were lucky enough to have a Christmas Time in Disney tour in the afternoon so we hit up some rides in the morning: fast pass to Indiana Jones, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Star Tours. Our Christmas tour was three hours of walking around hearing the history of Christmas at Disneyland. It was great to hear all the facts. We also got some treats – a chocolate and caramel covered marshmallow yum, then front of line access to three rides: It’s a Small World (Christmas version), the Jingle Cruise (Jungle Cruise normally), and a tour of the Haunted Mansion. The Jingle Cruise was so funny. The Haunted Mansion was not my favorite since it was basically The Nightmare before Christmas and I am not a fan of that movie so I spent the ride with my eyes closed #i’mawhimp. It’s a Small World was beautiful, they went all out with decorations. Then we had front row VIP seats for the Christmas parade (inside the roped off street so close I could touch the performers close). It was amazing. We also got hot chocolate and a gingerbread man. Definitely felt like a celebrity.

Christmas lights on It’s a Small World

Pluto & Goofy in the parade

Sleeping Beauty

Cinderella

The next day we headed to Universal for more rides, a tour of the back lot and soundstages (so cool). After a half day at the park, we met up with Jimmy’s uncle and aunt and their two young kids who live in CA for dinner. It was great seeing them, we hadn’t seen them since our wedding.

After dinner we headed to our hotel to call it a night; our flight was at 7 the next morning. The flight back was amazing – Jimmy’s dad upgraded us to business class (I’d never ridden business class before) the seats folded down into beds and we got unlimited drinks and a great breakfast. It was the coolest thing ever, I feel so spoiled now.

All in all the vacation was incredible. Sharing Disney as a family was a fantastic experience. The rides were great, the shows were even better, and we got to have some quality family time. I’m feeling very thankful, happy and still in a bit of disbelief we just had that amazing vacation.

Merry Christmas

This year we did Christmas a little differently. In light of the Racine family Disneyland vacation and Kurt & Kate’s honeymoon, we did both on December 22 – the Racine Christmas (part 1) in the morning (part 2 will be via skype on Christmas eve, yes we’re fancy & high-tech) and the Ramyer \rāy – mī -er\ Christmas in the evening. Then K&K  jet-setted the next morning to St. Lucia (jealous) and J&I will head to CA with the Racine family on Christmas morning.

Christmas Kai

Racine Family Christmas 2013

I decided to make us shirts and Mickey/Minnie ears for our upcoming trip – photos to come when we all wear them. [Yes I am aware I often go overboard, life is more fun this way.] Tutorials: shirts & Mickey/Minnie ears.

Ramyer Family Christmas 2013

Our first Christmas as a true family.

Freemyer Christmas tree

Kate & I in Christmas stockings

Parents & Kurt

Hunting Santa Jimmy

With all the presents, Santa, food, stress, and parties, it’s too easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. So I leave you with this:

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This weekend we got our Christmas tree!

My family has always gone to HomeDepot for our trees so that’s where Jimmy & I went this weekend. So did the majority of the Arlington/Falls Church area because we had the longest line I’ve ever seen. Totally worth it though.

After surviving the line, we [Jimmy] tied the tree to my car ourselves and drove on home #independent.

Then it was time to start decorating.

Kai wasn’t sure if he liked this tree. Or the decorating. Or us moving his bed. He doesn’t like change. We’re working on it.

Putting the first ornament up. Ignore the sweet wrist brace, I took a little tumble on an outdoor parking garage ramp at work. It was slippery and raining and I stumbled away with a sprained wrist and some bruises.

If Kai was happy earlier, he’s definitely not happy now.

He loves me really. He just isn’t a fan of that reindeer costume. Unfortunately I am a huge fan of it and so he wears it every year 🙂

Our Christmas mantle.

And our post-decorating family selfie. At this point Kai is tired. He spent the next 30 minutes sleeping on the couch.

Later that night we went to my work Holiday party. Where I took zero pictures but we had a blast.

Sunday brought on my Mom’s birthday and snow/ice. We ventured out for dinner with my parents, Kurt & Kate at Matchbox and then champagne and cake at our house.

I haven’t found the motivation to put up lights outside yet… I put a wreath on our door so that counts right?

Happy Halloween

I usually don’t like Halloween. Don’t get me wrong, I love dressing up in costumes, but I don’t really like Halloween. I hate being scared and I strongly dislike creepy things so Halloween at it’s core and I are not friends. However, I do dress up every year. Now that I am a home owner, Jimmy and I pass out candy each year too. I usually like this part, we mainly get little kids who are cute and not dressed like zombies or other scary things. Kai does not like this part much because he strongly dislikes hats. Which means he didn’t really like our costumes this year. I must have lost a bet or something because this year Jimmy talked me into dressing up as Ash Ketchum and Pikachu (from Pokemon). I had a fun time making his shirt and putting together his costume. I wasn’t crazy about mine so if we do this again, that will change.

Happy New Years!

This year for New Years eve, we celebrated at Clarendon Ballroom with Kurt, Kate, Todd, Sam, Ben & Caroline. Lots of fun.

Happy New Years!

In 2012 we got married, honeymooned in the Virgin Islands, saw some great friends get married, and bought a house. 2013 has a lot to live up to

Merry Christmas to All

We are so thankful for our first married Christmas in our house.

Cozy by the fire

Halloween

This year we went to Sarah’s Halloween party. Sarah loves Halloween so I knew I had to come up with a good costume. I saw this idea on Pinterest and knew it’d be fun. What I didn’t know is people on Pinterest are super talented so this was pretty challenging to make, but I did it! And now we have a giant tooth costume in our attic…

Tooth Fairy & Tooth