Our Charlie Brown tree.

And by Charlie Brown tree I mean the most gigantic tree that looks entirely out of place in our living room. Good thing our little Civic is a champion and can handle anything any stinky SUV can.

We got it set up in no time at all and got to work. While doing so it was impossible not to think about where we were exactly a year ago, decorating our first tree together and finalizing wedding plans (we were 18 days away!). I can't believe how fast this first year has gone. 

Grown up dinner! Mister's contribution on the left, mine on the right.

At my bridal shower last November, my mom, sister, and dear friend/bridesmaid Sarah had everyone bring us a Christmas ornament for our first tree. It was such a good idea and we'd have a super naked tree without them. We also have a few of mine that I took from home and one very special ornament that my brother insisted that we have: his pee-wee football championship ornament.

When we finished up, we decided to watch some Christmas movies and have a sleep over next to our masterpiece. It was perfect.

I leave for DC in a few days to take another exam and meet my classmates for the first time (in person, that is). I'm SO excited/nervous/afraid of the cold weather. I'll take lots of pictures (per usual). Now, off to be a busy bee. My flight leaves early afternoon tomorrow and I have so much to do. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays as much as we are. 

The littlest wildcat.

Today we went to the last college football game of the season (sad face). It was the perfect addition to our holiday weekend and was especially awesome because the Tucson Youth Football cheerleaders (along with the U of A cheerleaders) did a performance at half time! My cousin Honor got to rock it out on the big field like a boss and she did such a great job. My grandparents have had season tickets since forever and we tailgate at the same spot every year. Wildcats came away with the win (the perfect end to the season) and Honor had her very serious face on during the entire performance. [Super photo heavy...as usual...]

We're decorating the Christmas tree tonight and enjoying our last day in Tucson tomorrow (it went by too fast!!!). Last year on Thanksgiving, Christian was still an MS1 and was studying for his anatomy class like a crazy man. He spent the entire weekend (after meals and food coma) studying and even brought a skull model to town with us. This weekend was the complete opposite, both of us in school-free bliss. It has been the absolute best. 

I hope everyone else is enjoying the extended weekend. Back to the grind in a few days....

This is love.

I didn't bust out the camera until after everything started to settle down. This includes two thanksgiving dinners (total bonus of getting married!) and homemade apple pie. Both my heart and my stomach are extremely full (the later almost uncomfortably so). No Black Friday for us this year. We're not opposed, just broke. In the past I've been known to help my mom and aunts out (I have some horrifying/hysterical stories) but it's raining outside and I feel incredibly content to just sit here and listen to it with the rest of the non-shoppers.

I hope every one of you are currently slipping into a food coma and basking in the glow of good company.

Thankful.

My life the last few weeks:

It sure is crazy, but it's mine. And I love it very much.

I am officially done with my first "semester" (block) of graduate classes (assuming I passed my final exams...here's to assuming!). One down, five to go. New block starts December 12th. I feel like I finally have a handle on the online thing. Hopefully. 

Tomorrow we will spend a glorious day eating glorious food with the most glorious people we know. So there. 

P.S.

We are so very thankful for our friends and family who care enough about us to read our blog and keep up with our daily lives. We love you very much. XO

the sprint.

Hello world. I know multiple family members have been dying to see more pictures of the house and to hear what we've been up to and how it's been going. Off the top of my head, I have at LEAST five stories I must tell, some photos and other stuff. However, they'll have to be shared when I can squeeze them in. My "semester" (3.5 months is not a true semester) is almost over and I'm down to two assignments and two finals left. The big push! The sprint at the end of the race! Although, technically the race will be drawn out over another year and a half and this is like the tiny burst around the first bend of mile one, but just go with it.

So until I get to it (hopefully I'll take a nice break sometime this week), here is a visual of my new fave study spot (even better when shared with my really good looking roommate). Picture me here (because I probably am here) until we meet (I post) again.

It is a beautiful day here in Phoenix. Hope it's beautiful wherever you are.

Happy Sunday.

home sweet new home.

Well folks, we survived it. Actually, there's one room (fullll of boxes) threatening to eat us alive still, but I think it's safe to say we're almost out of the woods. I still have so much to do today, it's kind of depressing, but I hope to get to a proper blog post for the juicy details soon. We have internet (yay!) so things are falling into place. Here's a sneaky peaky.

I cannot emphasize enough how impossible this move would've been if it were not for the help of my mom, my dad, my grammy, and Christian's brother Taylor (and Grandma Georgia for our new *free* couch!). Seriously, you guys...when we have money someday we're taking you all on a nice vacation. We couldn't have done it without you.

If you don't hear from me by tomorrow, assume a giant pile of boxes fell on me and I'm trapped in the office (send a search party).


Love you all.

Octubre.

Hello blog land. October is almost over (I'm pinching myself as I write this), and despite being unbelievably busy we've been able to squeeze in some October-y things; namely, a weekend in Tucson to do pumpkins and spooky things with family.

My extremely handsome husband and his family (minus two).

We took our annual (at least we try to make it annual) trip to Buckelew Farms to pick some pumpkins, then had a carving party at Christian's parents' house. Christian and I are extremely blessed to not only have super cool/relatively normal (emphasis on relatively) families, but to have amazing families that love each other too! For example: my 15 year old brother was deeply disturbed when he found out after the wedding that he isn't now legally related to Christian's siblings (apparently he thought the wedding would apply to him too). They're all staggered in age and get along famously. The fact that we can do holiday stuff all together is the coolest. No one has to miss out. It's the best.

From left to right: My brother (Josh), Christian (duh), my sissy's boy (Kyle),
Christian's brothers (Taylor and Ethan)

Seesters with pumpkins!

Carving is usually an extended affair, including our favorite friends and should-be-family. My best friend Sarah came and brought her mad carving skills (as she does every year). Two years ago she did the Mona Lisa, last year was Lord Voldemort, and this year was a shark! She wins. Every. Single. Time. I decided to free hand it this year and ended up with what I call a spooky tree. Christian did a classic jack-o-lantern and Viesa was too busy loungin' and smelling pumpkins to carve.

Sarah wins! Just like last year... :)

We have some fun Halloween stuff approaching this weekend, however I have an exam next week so we'll see how much participating I'll be doing. I hate to say it, but I'll be glad when Thanksgiving gets here! I'll be registered for my next semester, done with all of my exams, and totally drunk on mashed potatoes. Amazing.

Hope everyone has been able to enjoy the fun that is October.