Holly and Jolly in Retrospect

Well, I guess I failed my own blog-everyday-for-30-days challenge. But it was Christmas and we were spending time with family and friends so I'm giving myself some grace :)

We had a great time going back to Seattle for Christmas this year. One of the big highlights was celebrating Christmas with our (almost) 11-month nephew, Jackson. He received at least half of the presents under the tree, but all he really wanted was wrapping paper and Grandma and Grandpa's remote control. The poor guy was working through a horrible cold, but he was still as sweet as ever. Here are some pics:

The paper was the main event for him.

Jackson with Santa's big gift... who doesn't want a dino rocker??

After he opened his gazillion presents...

And to think... next year he'll have a little cousin to play with!

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King of Kings

In highschool I was made to sing the Hallelujah Chorus every Christmas season. Our awesome friend, Lara, found this on YouTube- I prefer it this way much more.

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Humbug

For so many reasons, Christmas just isn't the same for us this year.  There are the crummy reasons (we don't know anyone here, we didn't do any Christmas decorating, it's 60 degrees outside, etc) and the wonderful reasons (we've been looking for a permanent home, we're occupied with becoming parents, Matt started a great job, etc).  I think the biggest reason we're Scrooges is because we're utterly worn-out and exhausted.  

The past 4 months have been a whirl-wind for us.  September was full of scheduled injections, daily dr appointments (some in NYC), and me being out of commission with painfully enlarged ovaries.  The first month of pregnancy followed with me sleeping 12-14 hrs/day and trying to adjust to the mix of pregnancy/IVF hormones (aka: I was crazy).  Matt's interview at Stanford and subsequent job offer took up the rest of October, and then there was the packing/move across the country that was November (and keep in mind, Matt had to continue giving me daily hormone injections until the end of November).  Everything was scheduled, planned, and absolutely nuts around our house.  There was so much to juggle... one minute we would be reveling in the fact that we heard a heartbeat, and the next we would be arguing over how to best pack the toaster.  And then I would nap because I had absolutely no energy.  Even though these are all absolutely wonderful things happening in our life, they are taxing: we're having a difficult time expending any energy to be merry and bright.  We just want life somewhat back-to-normal.

But today we had to suck-it-up and be merry: like it or not, it was Christmas in our home! Since we leave Tuesday for Seattle, we celebrated early: it's easier than dragging everything on the plane, only to drag it all back a few days later.  We slept in, watched Christmas movies, ate split-pea soup (it's Christmas-y because it's green...), and opened presents beside our mini-Safeway Christmas tree.  By no means was it the Christmas of our dreams, but we'll have plenty of those in our future (complete with our little Francklit).  We can't wait to get to Seattle on Tuesday and see everyone.  It'll finally give us space to relax and enjoy the Christmas season...

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Our NYC Weekend

To celebrate my 27th b-day (good night, I am old...), Matt took me to NYC for a night. We shopped, walked around, and went to see the amazing musical "Wicked". I saw it about 4 years ago on a family girls trip, and have loved it every since then.

It's so great.

I cry.

Every time I see it.

Our pic with Ozzy in Times Square... the New Year's ball is on display there and it's teeny tiny.


This one is just for Tommy.

Me showing off our view. We got upgraded to a corner room and were so excited until we realized that the second window looked directly into an office building. Gotta love NYC...

Matt - he's so great :)

The view from our room at the Palace. We could see down Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Late Show, the Rock, Times Square, and the water. Not bad.

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Happy New Year!!

We rang 2009 at home with snow, yummy food, the Wii, and our wonderful Hula! When Matt finally got home, we picked up a bit and then I started on our meal (http://amyfranck.blogspot.com/) and we enjoyed the evening together. We didn't get any pics of us playing the Wii but, here is what do have:

Poor Matt twisted his ankle on his run home, so he had to wear hiking boots to keep it still all night!

Amy and Hula sledding down the hill- yes, I am sledding in my skirt!


We ran into the house :)

Even with a hurt ankle, Matt couldn't resist the small amount of snow that we got yesterday.

Hula just LOVES snow!! It's so cute :)

We are starting on a list of resolutions... so far all we have is:

1. Go on more dates

2. Start a compost bin (our neighbors won't know what to do with the Seattle hippies... if only they knew how non-hippie we are!)

3. Get the house organized and settled- this will be happening this week, or I will lost my mind!!!

Happy, happy New Year!!

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Dog House

So, the other night, Matt said that he had an early present to give me... something that we needed but he didn't want to get in trouble for the gift. Having seen the dog house commercial, he was a little cautious; he didn't want to be "dual bag". Matt actually did really well- it was a new electric griddle!! We left ours in Seattle... we used it nearly every week for years and it was on it's last leg. I'm excited to break this new one in!

About a week ago, I also gave Matt and early Christmas gift. It was something I purchased that I knew we needed, but also knew wasn't very exciting. And, it was a little large to hide! I had gotten him a snow shovel with a steel core and steel blade at the end. I guess these are good to have when you live in NY...

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Happy Troisième Anniversaire

Or, Happy Third Anniversary (according to Google Translator...)!!

Matt and I just returned home from our anniversary trip to Paris. Although are tired and sore from walking, we had a wonderful time! All we did was walk, sight-see, consume cheese/bread/pastries/wine, and walk some more :) In about 3 days, we managed to see nearly everything; from the Arc de Triumph, to Nortre Dame, to the Mona Lisa, to the Champs de Elysses, to the Eiffel Tower, and everywhere in between! Here are a few of highlights and favorite pictures:

Eiffel Tower by night

Matt preparing for our day with a little coffee from a cafe

Amy with French Bulldogs... we did see three pugs while there, too!




We stumbled upon a Christmas fair at the Champs de Ellyses and had a great night goofing off!

Matt was very excited to get the pig :)

At the Lourve... we unknowingly went on a free Sunday, so it was packed with thousands upon thousands of people. We saw the "major" stuff and got out!

More coffee... our last day doing a boat tour of Paris!

We literally took hundreds of pictures... I am busy organizing/labeling/editing them and will share a link with the final collection soon.

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Happy (late) Thanksgiving

Since we were in the middle of our spur-of-the-moment move (and without the internet), we didn't have a chance to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We enjoyed 4 days with my (Amy's) family in Boston. We had a yummy turkey dinner, learned how to play Bananagrams, spent good time with the cousins, and signed Claire's new purple cast. We hope you heal fast, Claire!!! Here are a few photos from our trip:

It's only appropriate for my family that the BC game pic gets the first post :)

Brian Jr, Connor, and Matt went to the game.

Sweet Lucy.

Eddie- he cuddling his football.

Emily and Matt at Toys-R-Us.

Thank you, Strachan family, for hosting us in your home!! It was wonderful to see you all :)

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Merry (early) Christmas!

Note: We, in no way, mean to offend anyone with this post. We are just having fun and making due with what we have :) We believe in the sancity of Christmas and do not mean to diminish it. This pic was taken in our cottage; when we are back from Paris, we will post new home picture!

I (Amy) have wanted a nice and cute nativity scene for years but haven't quite found the right one, yet. And, I refuse to pay for a cheesy and cheap nativity scene. SO, this year I made this nativity scene from a box and used our favorite ornaments as the figurines (we don't have a tree this year because we have no space). No, it's not my ideal space, and Yes- it will be gone on 12/26.



The Players:

Three Wise Men: Snowman, Hoops, and YoYo
Baby Jesus: Kenny
Joseph: Stan
Mary: Kyle
Gabriel: Cartman
Manger Animals: T-Rex, Elephant, Grinch

Yes, they have a Christmas tree, maple leaf, and croquet set in the manger :)


Again, this was all in fun and created with joy. Hope you liked it!

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Party Time!

To celebrate Hula's 3rd birthday, we surprised her with a doggy cupcake after dinner last night. She was super excited!!

Checking it out in her bowl... she's trying to figure out how to eat it as quickly as possible.

When Hula really likes something (like a Denta-Stick or cupcake), she'll take it out of her bowl and run to hide with it in another room. Does she think we're going to take it from her?? She usually hides behind the kitchen table, but she was so excited to eat the cupcake, she stopped in the middle of the living room and gobbled it frantically.

Hula also received a growling banana, now called "Nanners".

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Happy Birthday, Hula!!

Today is Hula's 3rd Birthday!! We will be celebrating with a special, doggy cup-cake after dinner tonight. In honor of the birthday girl, we wanted to share a video of her and her new friend, Hedgie. When Amy was visiting Lara and Sam last week in London, they gave her a cute, little Hedgehog stuffed animal. When Amy unpacked it, Hula claimed it for her own!! Hula treats Hedgie like her other favorite toys, Duckers and Giraffers. She picks them up, shakes them, and then chews.

Thanks for the hospitality and for Hedgie, Lara and Sam!! And to our sweet Hula, Happy Birthday!!

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