Everything was fine in 2009...

I know I am a day early, but I wanted to go ahead and write my end of the year post! 2009 was such a fantastic year for us! We are looking forward to all that 2010 has in store, but we will certainly remember all the fun times we had in 2009! Here are my top 9 memories of 2009 =) (In no specific order)...

1) Our Honeymoon in Italy!! It was such an amazing trip and it is certainly one we will never forget!


2) Welcoming a new nephew into the world and family! James was also born on Katie Anne's 2nd birthday! We LOVE being aunt and uncle!

3) Welcoming Laurel into the world in January! This is one sweet baby girl and I am so glad to be her nanny!!

4) Greg finally getting the motorcycle of his dreams...even if we lost it later =(


5) Greg getting a new car...to replace the bike and to get rid of the car he didn't really like...

6) Family Vacation for July 4th at Rosemary Beach, Fl. Such a fun time!

7) Spending our last year with our incredible small group and going on our last marriage retreat with them to Gatlinburg in September...

8) Celebrating the holidays with all the family and getting to spend Christmas Eve as our own little family this year and making new traditions...
9) Last, but certainly not least, celebrating our incredible first year of marriage on October 18th! Our marriage is simply amazing and we have been so thankful for that! We love each other beyond words and we loved celebrating such a special event! Our anniversary cruise was such fun and such a great way to relax and enjoy one another!

2009 was so very special! However, we are certainly looking forward to 2010 and I will post later about all the things we are looking forward to! Now I am off to take down all the decorations and clean up the house...fun =)

Hatley/Glawson Christmas...

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Sunday we had our last Christmas celebration of the season with my family. We decided to change things up this year and open gifts earlier in the day so that that babies would be awake to open with us. We loved watching everyone open their gifts! I loved seeing that our gifts made people happy =) We got so many wonderful things like a camera, a new label maker, pjs, DVD's, a new leather coat for Greg, a wine making kit, ornaments, a really sweet frame made by Kari, and lots of other things! We loved being able to spend a few days with the family and getting to hang out for a while.

We are so blessed to be so loved by two fantastic families! We had an absolutely incredible holiday season and I am so thankful for absolutely everything...especially the time we were able to spend celebrating with everyone such an wonderful holiday! We love you all and hope you all had a very Merry Christmas =)

Burlington Christmas...

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On Saturday we woke up and packed up the car and head to NC for as few days. We got to Burlington and dropped the dogs off at my grandmother's house and then headed over to my aunt's house for a Christmas celebration with my mom's side of the family. It was so much fun seeing everyone and watching all the little kids play together...it's so strange to have so many babies there now! We ate tons of delicious food and a played a fun game of "Dirty Santa"...which became slightly confusing amongst all the laughter, talking, and forgetting of numbers and how many times something had been stolen =) I ended up with a set of Rachel Ray side dishes (that I really wanted) and Greg got a charging station. I loved watching the kids open their gifts and playing with everything together! It was such a fun time!! After the big night, we picked up the pups and then head to my parents house in Cary and then to bed!

Glawson/ Jones Christmas...

**Warning: This is a long slideshow...but cute nonetheless =)**

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Last night was our Christmas celebration with Greg's family. Cindy made a huge meal of ham and turkey, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, tater tot bacon things, and rolls...YUMM!! For dessert there was homemade banana pudding and cherry dump cake...all sooo good!!After our huge meal we all went to the living room to open gifts. One person would open a gift then choose the next person to open a gift and we went round and round like that until all the gifts were opened! WE had such a wonderful time and received so many fantastic gifts. We loved being with everyone and having such a fun time! We love you all very much and thank you so much for all the wonderful gifts!!

Now we are headed to NC for 2 more celebrations!! Wish us luck on the traffic!!

Johnston Family Christmas...

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Yesterday morning we got up bright and early to open stocking from each other and then to get ready to head over to Greg's cousin's house for the annual Johnston Christmas breakfast. This was my first year being able to attend because usually I am in NC on Christmas morning. It was so much fun visiting with everyone and eating a gigantic breakfast of all kind of goodies!! After chatting and eating a while, we all opened gifts form one another. We draw names at Thanksgiving and I drew Angela (Greg's cousin) and Greg drew his grandmother. Angela had drawn Greg and Mammaw had drawn me...so that was funny! I got a super cute pink sweater form Mammaw and Greg got a UGA Tervis tumbler and a UGA devotional. We had such a fun morning with everyone!! However, we did miss Pappaw being there, unfortunately he was in the hospital on Christmas...BUT we'll get together soon for a big meal with him in January to make up for it =) I hope everyone had a great Christmas morning!!

Our Christmas Eve...

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Our Christmas Eve was absolutely incredible! This was a new celebration for us because traditionally Christmas Eve is spent with my family each year, but since Greg had to work today, we ended up staying in Georgia and will head to NC on Saturday. I am a very traditional person and am not generally in love with the idea of change, but I have to say, this was a very special celebration and I love making new traditions with my husband. After Greg got off work we went to visit with his grandfather (who is unfortunately in the hospital) and then headed to our church for the 3:00 Christmas Eve service. It was phenomenal! It was the "Nativity in Concert" and it was definitely different than what I am used to but it was absolutely wonderful! After church, we ran a couple of quick errands before heading home to make our dinner! We wanted to have a special meal together and therefore I made WAAAY too much food for the two of us but it was very good either way. We had roasted turkey from Honeybaked Ham, homemade macaroni and cheese, corn casserole, green beans, and Sister Shubert rolls. After dinner we decided to go ahead and open gifts before dessert (mainly because we could barely move after dinner). We let the boys open their bones and new treats before we began opening our gifts. I was blown away at the gifts Greg got for me. He is AMAZING! I got him Wii Sports Resort, wireless headphones, and gave him cash and a "certificate" for getting his windows tinted on his car next weekend. He got me: a TomTom, new boots, SPRING AWAKENING TICKETS (!!!!), AND sent me on a scavenger hunt all over the house and outside for my brand new KITCHEN AID STAND MIXER!!! I am SOOO excited about all my gifts!! He is TOO sweet for surprising me with all of these things! After gifts we ate our dessert of homemade apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream..MMmmm!! We had an absolutely incredible Christmas Eve together and I hope you all did as well. Remember the reason for the season =) We have been incredibly blessed beyond measure and are so thankful for that and for each other! We hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Last day with the Harts...

Today was my last day working with the Hart family. Since I will be TOSSing in the Spring, I had to drop some of my work load in order to focus on school and all the work that next semester will bring. It was sad to leave everyone, but I'm sure I'll be seeing them soon to randomly babysit. I'll miss all three kids, but since Gracie and Josiah have been in school, most of my days have been spent with Kristen and I will miss her sweet self very much...especially her calling out "I lub you Jen (what she called me)!" over and over or running to greet me as soon as I walked in the door int he mornings! My last day was a good one and I enjoyed giving the kids their gifts! Here are a few more pictures of the day...

In sickness and in health...

**Bragging Moment**

This week I have been sick with a nasty sinus infection that is slowly draining me of my sanity. Well, I finally took my stubborn butt to the doctor on Thursday and got put on antibiotics. Yesterday was HORRIBLE. I felt worse yesterday than I have since I started this mess. So, after getting off work I got home to a sweet, sweet man who was waiting for me as son as the garage door opened. He took everything from me (I had to run to the grocery store), took me inside to a clean kitchen (he unloaded and loaded the dishwasher), told me to go put on pj's and he would take care of everything. So, I came back down started to fix my plate but he insisted that I just lay on the couch and he would bring me everything I needed. After dinner and a movie (we watched Up which was so cute) he went up stairs and drew a steaming hot bubble bath for me to soak in. When I got in the bath and he brought me some coffee to sip on while I sat in the bathtub (we like drinking coffee at night). When I got out of the bath, he had the bed turned down, my phone on the charger, pillows to prop me up, tissues beside the bed, and a movie in the player. I got in bed and watched a movie and he would come in every so often to check on me and ask me if I needed anything or to remind me to take some more medicine. I couldn't help thinking last night that I am so incredibly lucky. To some, these may seem like common gestures, but for a lot of women they're lucky if their husbands notice if they're sick. Him taking care of me like that absolutely melts my heart. He is the absolute best husband, friend, and man. Anyway....just thought I'd brag a bit on my sweet hubby =)

Christmas with the girls...

Last night Jillian and Ashley (Jamie couldn't make it) came over last night for little girls' night and gift swap. Greg passed out our gifts to us and took pictures while we opened. I got Coconut Lime shower gel and lotion and hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works from Ashley, Ashley got "Maid of Honor" DVD and some lotion from Jillian, and Jillian (the other one) got a "Friends" picture frame from me. We had such a fun time eating dinner and snacking and catching up. Unfortunately, Ashley had to leave early, so, Jillian and I ate some more, decorated homemade sugar cookies that I made and ate the petit fours and chocolate covered strawberries she brought for us...yum! We always have a good time together and I'm so thankful for such good friends... especially ones who will still come see me and stay late with even while I'm sick and gross and not be afraid to catch the nasty sinus infection I have haha! It was a great night!

Decorating cookies

Jillian #2 Decorating

Yummy!

Blankets for Atlanta Union Mission...

Recently, our small group has started working with Atlanta Union Missions by adopting a room and helping clean it up and making it more livable for the men who seek shelter there. One thing that was needed was blankets for all of the beds. So, Leah rounded up a bunch of girls to make prayer blankets together over at the Williams' house. We got about 4 made yesterday and will meet again in January to work on some more. It was a lot of fun having girl time and doing something helpful all at once =) Because I've been sick all weekend, I didn't think to bring my camera but thankfully Leah saved the day, so here are a few pics from last night...

Slaving away...

Tired from all that tying...

Happy Blanket Makers (minus Leah...who is taking the picture)

Christmas with Karis and Laurel...

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Tonight, Greg and I took the girls out to Build-a-Bear and Chick-fil-a. I was pumped to go because Karis is at such a fun age to really enjoy Build-a-Bear. We had such a fun time even though the mall was packed and crazy! Karis made a bunny named "Honey" and we made a bear for Laurel named "Teddy." There aren't many pictures of Laurel because 1) I was holding her and taking pictures (except Greg took pictures too while I was calming her down) and 2) the poor baby wasn't feeling well and was tired, so she wasn't in the mood for pictures...or the mall =) But she did great and played and ate with us at the table, but then passed out on my shoulder the minute we walked out the door of the mall. So, as soon as we got home she was out for the night. Anyway...I hope Karis had as much fun as we did! She was SO cute when she was kissed the heart and made a wish on it before putting it in the bunny. She also picked out a very cute Christmas outfit for the bunny to wear and Laurel's bunny got bloomers and a bib that said "Baby's First Christmas." We had a great time and I am so glad Angie and Justin let us borrow the girls for the night =)

Why Study...

...when you can be making gifts!

(this is actually pink..it looks red in the pictures)

I know, I know...studying is important and with one last final I should be buried in the books...but I bought these two lap trays today that I had a rain check for at Hobby Lobby and I couldn't help myself! The paint pens were calling my name! I made these two trays for two of the kids I nanny for (the older ones) and I hope they love them! In the past I was asked by the parents not to give them gifts for birthdays or Christmas, but since my last day with them is on the 21st of this month I asked if I could get them something just this once. I was told I could as long as it was a small gift and not a lot of money...so, at $5 a pop this is what they get =) Plus they are leaving for a car ride to Houston that week so I figured they could both use something to color on or eat in the car with or whatever! Anyway...I thought I'd share this idea because I know a lot of you have kids to buy for this year and I thought this was a cute, inexpensive and useful gift!

Sooner or later...

I'll have time to really post again! This is finals week and as much as I should be buried in the books...I've been busy with other things! However, I haven't had much time to post lately because our schedule has been insane! But hopefully after tonight's final I can catch up on a few posts =)

The pictures are back...

Be warned...there is kissing involved in these pics =)

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Here are the rest of the pictures from our shoot with Sara! We love them and are so glad that she could take them! She did a wonderful job and I can't wait to get some of these framed =)

The end...

Well, today is the last day of NaBloPoMo!! This month seemed to go by so incredibly fast! November was a very busy month and December is even more packed....but I love the holidays =) I'll still be posting a bunch, just probably not everyday, but we'll see! However, next week is finals week so probably not much blogging time for me! For my last post I am leaving you with a few more pictures from our session with Sara...here is a link to her blog to see a few more. These are just a few of my favorites...

It's beginning...

...to look a lot like Christmas!!!


The tree is up and decorated, the presents are wrapped (the ones that are here), and the stockings are on the mantle! Christmas time here we come!! Christmas has always been a special holiday for me and probably my favorite one. This year will be the first year that I will not be celebrating our traditional family Christmas Eve celebration in NC with my side of the family. It's a little hard, but it's neat to make our own traditions as our own little family as well. Plus, this year will be the first year that we get to go to ALL of the family stuff on both sides of the family. So, on Christmas Eve, Greg and I will have the night to celebrate Christmas with each other by eating a big meal I plan on making and going to church at our church. On Christmas morning we will wake up and head to Greg's cousin's house for the extended family gathering. Then later in the afternoon, we will head to Cindy and Thomas' for the Glawson/Jones clan celebration. The next morning we will wake up bright and early and head to NC for my extended family's gathering at my aunt's house. Finally, on Sunday, we will celebrate with the Hatley/Glawson bunch...as you can see, this will be a busy, packed, but super fun holiday season!!! I love, love, love Christmas and I can't wait for all the baking, craft making, gift giving, and memory making that comes with such a special holiday!

Pictures from the weekend...

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Here are a few pictures from the weekend in NC! We had a fantastic time visiting with everyone but are glad to be off the road! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday!!!