Christmas Party Weekend-Part 1

Friday a girl I work with threw a party at her adorable townhouse. We went there and had a great time meeting new people and hanging out with my work friends. Then Saturday night was my work Christmas party at the boss's house like usual. We again had fun, they made a great dinner and we did the Chinese Christmas gift exchange. They were very generous as far as gifts this year and I just feel so blessed to even have a job right now. I love my little work family!

Brooke and I at the work party.

The girls with Kay and Gary

Kelli, Brooke and I at Kelli's party.

Josh was with me both nights like a trooper but I didn't get any pictures. This is really all the pictures I took all weekend, I'm not sure why...I must be sick or something.

Thank you Josh for coming to all my work functions with me :)

1 down 4 to go...

Last night Josh and I attended CFA's IT Christmas Party. It was held at Anthony's Fine Dining, an old historic house that is now used for events like this. Dinner was great and we had a fun time but the best part was.....he won an award!!!!! (see below)
Anthony's-I just got this pic off the website but of course last night it was decorated for Christmas.

I made Jason take a picture after we got home, I didn't want to be the only blogger loser at the party taking pictures so I have none from there.

So excited about his award!!!! Let me explain. Every year the CIO does these award. There are categories that stay the same and then there are awards created just for that year. What's cute is that he makes every award in his garage by hand to represent the achievement and presents them at the Christmas party.

This year Josh played a major role in getting all new voice over phone systems set up. He was part of the network side of it. Well this year this award was created because it was a huge project and a very successful one. To explain the award, the dinosaur represents the "old" phone system that was 18 years old. Then the CFA cow (Josh) is using the rolled up phone users manaual to fight off the dino. I thought it was real cute and clever. So congrats Josh, I'm very proud of you and so happy that you were recognized for your accomplishment!!!

Catch up...

So here is what we've been doing lately. The weekend after our friends came in, my Mom came to stay. Trips to Atlanta mean even more to my mom now that Jason is here too. We had pretty relaxing weekend, decorating for Chirstmas, shopping at Garden Ridge and going to a Thrashers Hockey game. Thanks for coming to stay with us mom and for cooking and cleaning while you were here too ;)


At the Thrashers game

I love this sequence of pictures. We got everything done and I asked Josh if he would put the star on the tree so this is him doing just that.

Then here I am fixing it...hehehe...look at his face :). It's got to be perfect right??

And here we are glad to have the house decorated.

We didn't actually put these up that weekend. Josh wanted to surprise me when I got home on Sunday from Thanksgiving but he ended with a stomach virus so while Josh was laid up in bed his dad hung these for us. Thank you Bob, that was so sweet of you and it looks very festive. Sorry the picture isn't better.

Here is the tree. I wish you could see all of the color on it because I just don't think this picture does it justice but we love it! I think I want to get a bigger one next year :)

The kitchen is decorated with all of my blue snowman stuff to match the Christmas china Karen got me years ago. One day I will have a dining room to put all of that in but until then...

Here is Josh's man tree. It has Georgia Bulldog ornaments and other sports stuff.

I finally have some place to string garland. Yay!

And I finally have a mantle, even better Yay!

Moving on to the next weekend which was Thanksgiving. Jason and I went to Knoxville while Josh stayed in Atlanta to hang out with his family. We got home on Wednesday night and stayed pretty busy from there on out. We went to my Grandparents on Thursday and had the delicious tradional feast. Later that night we helped my mom put up her decorations since she was such a big help to us. Friday Mom and I did our traditional "black Friday" shopping. I haven't been shopping in Knoxville in years!! Friday afternoon we had lunch and Dad and Robin's and I got to see my Granny that I don't get to see often. We had a great time catching up and laughing at old stories. Friday night I went to Erin's to see all of Hayley's wedding progress and just to hang out with the girls (this is where I start getting tired since Mom and I got up at 3:45am to shop). Saturday was a pretty lazy day. We were going to go to the game but the weather was gross so we opted not to. It was so sad to watch Fulmer that night. I don't care what people say, I'm going to miss him :(. Overall it was a great time at home and I think I gained 10 pounds. Here are some pics.

I got almost all of my shopping done in one morning. THANK YOU BELK! The only person I didn't get was Mom and that's because she was with me. It was a very successful day!

Mom and I at her parents on Thanksgiving day.

My sweet Granny. We also celebrated her birthday at Dad's on Friday.

Posing with Granny

Jason and I with Robin. I look like I just ate a whole turkey in this picture.

Well that's about it for now. I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I know I have so much to be thankful for right now!!

Boys Weekend

I thought you would like this one of Josh, he's wearing Dozer's jersey.

Well I'm really behind on blogging. We've had to lay several people off at my company so I've been a little busier than usual. Three weekends ago our best guy friends came in town, Travis and Mikey. We have all been friends since middle school and we always have a blast together. We didn't do a whole lot, weent out for tapas on Saturday night and just hung out the rest of the time. Here are some pics. I promise I'll get updated soon. I have pics from my mom's visit to ATL, Christmas decoations, the joys of having large trees full of leaves over your yard, Thanksgiving and more. Stay tuned!

Me and the boys-Josh, Me, Travis, and Mikey.

Tagged by Lacy

This one is for fun. Go to your 4th picture folder and then the 4th picture in the folder. Write 4 things about the picture and then tag 4 other people.
1) This was taken in a Jeep Wrangler while Josh and I are driving through the Grand Canyon in February of 07.
2) It was snowing and freezing outside. I never would have imagined weather like that in the Grand Canyon and I did not come prepared!
3) These are our sandiwches that were also freezing from being in the car so I put them on the dash and turned the heater on high to warm them up.
4)We had so much fun on that trip getting to see different parts of the country and just driving, driving,driving. We still managed to have fun even though we got there at sunrise but didn't get to see the sun rise since a huge snow storm was blowing though. I would love to go back but def during warmer weather :)

Now I tag Courtney, Rachel, Kate and Stephanie...

Recent Dozer Pics

We love our sweet bear!!
All wrapped up because Daddy and Uncle Jason won't turn the heat up because they are too cheap ;)

Playing on his new favorite spot-the chase lounge

Sleeping in the bed under the covers

Go Dawgs!

I just love this picture. I think he looks so goofy for some reason. This is his favorite thing to do at my mom's. Sit in front of the heater. Who would have thought a bulldog would like to sit this close to a heater. He will lay down in front of it and go to sleep too. He's so funny!

Chicago-my first business trip

We got home from the wedding on Sunday and had 2 days to re-coup before heading to Chicago. I went for a SHRM conference and I feel like I learned some really great things. Everyone was so nice and of course I got to see a little of the city. Josh went with me and we had a great time in the evenings when I wasn't in class. It was a quick trip but enjoyable. Now we are back home and don't have anything planned for the next 2 weekends. Unless of course Hayley calls and wants to go wedding dress shopping :)


Going to class

Hotel Lobby-Palmer House Hilton

Walking in the city

Josh and I at Lawrey's. We treated ourselves to a nice prime rib dinner.

This is what the guy comes by in to cut your steak. You tell him the temperature and cut and he cuts it right there by your table. Everything was delicious!

Eating deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno-one of the oldest in Chicago.

On the 96th floor of the Hancock building checking out the lights.

What a view

And Finally-The Wedding

So the wedding was held at Butterfly Gap in Maryville. What a beautiful place in the fall. We got ready in a cabin, took pictures around a man-made lake with the gorgeous leaves all around us. Everything is very modern for a place like that. Lots of windows and the reception hall has walls that open. Very cool place and very nice people that run it. Here are some of my favorties. Sorry they aren't in order, you know how blogger works.
Cake cutting

Right before the big moment-best friends.

All of the bridesmaids with Erin

Reception room. Erin and Casey saw each other before the ceremony so that is all of us peeking out of the windows while they have their private moment :)

Our friend from ETSU did all of the decoration-Lacy you remember Rachel right? She's pregnant too. I wish I had gotten a picture of her.

Right after the wedding ceremony-I love this picture

Ceremony site-it was gorgeous!

Childhood friends-Hayley, Max, Carrie and me

First dance and a little emotional

Me and my beautiful mom

Erin and her 2nd mom

Josh and Erin

Josh dancing with my mom

Speech time-I was so nervous but everyone said I did good. I even made people laugh :)

I will email you all the link to the professional pictures when I get them. I'm really excited to see them, I think they will be gorgous with all of the trees and leaves.

So I had one week off to not think about weddings. Hayley called last night and has set a date for June 27th in Knoxville. I am going to be the Maid of Honor with Erin as the Matron. I'm very honored and can't wait for the big day. Lots to do and plan. I will keep you posted.