dear shannon,

Thanks for letting me post something on "our" blog. Just kidding!

Happy 28th birthday, love! I always find myself associating your birthday with when we met. I can't believe I met you just three days after your 19th birthday, and here we are celebrating your birthday nine years later. The last nine years have been a blast, and I'm looking forward to many more to come. I can't wait to do another cross-country road trip, visit all seven continents, lounge on track-outs, sleep in on Saturdays, take weekend road trips in our roadster, and stay in as many bed and breakfasts as we can. Being your husband is heaven on earth.

I fall in love with you more and more each day. I know I tell you every year, but it's true. You have made me a very happy man.

Love always,

Jason

deck the condo

It was hard waiting to decorate for the holidays this year, because I was so excited, but I was able to wait until the day after Thanksgiving. This will technically be our second holiday season in our condo, but the first we are actually going to be home. Last year, we were traveling cross-country and spent Christmas morning in Vegas. We didn't really bother decorating for the holidays. Why would I when the Bellagio did it for us?

It is challenging decorating for the holidays throughout the year in a 700 square foot condo. We are tight on storage, but I think we pulled it off this year. Of course, we have our Target bag wreath on the door outside.

Also, we decorated our plant with vintage-looking battery operated lights and peace signs cut out from scrapbook card stock in holiday colors.

I love these fun stockings.

I like to keep clementines and nuts on the coffee table.

We have scented pine cones on tables and in the bathrooms.

Now, I just need to find some mistletoe...

i'm thankful for...family gatherings

Our Thanksgiving dinner had all of the makings of a refined family gathering. A simple centerpiece... A delicious pumpkin and pecan pie...

Family...

However, my brother was videotaping our Thanksgiving, and I actually got to see how bizarre we truly are. I'm fighting back with this picture of my brother and his dog, Scuba.This picture was funny too.

i'm thankful for...wildlife

We went on a hike yesterday and saw this sign--beware of alligators, snakes, and poison ivy. It's a warning sign for anything you might be scared of on the island. We've seen various types of wildlife this week. Some were scary. Like the fox that didn't seem too scared of us. The snake was dead by the way. I was extra thankful for that.

i'm thankful for...giggles

There is nothing like the laughter of children. This is why I'm a teacher. I get to hear it everyday. And no, this does not make my ovaries or uterus ache for my own. I knew that was your next question. I still like returning the children almost as much as I like borrowing them. We're off to enjoy our last day at the beach.

i'm thankful for...warm breezes

i'm thankful for..."rainy" day activities

The weather said Sunday would be rainy. It only sprinkled for about 10 minutes. I'm not complaining because we were able to stay on the beach all morning, take Mom and Rhonda to catch the ferry home, play games, read, play stylist, and go shopping for souvenirs. The kids made fun choices--a giant mermaid coloring book and a model turtle egg that hatches in water. We might even be able to catch a real turtle nest hatching this week at the turtle conservancy. There is one nest left to hatch. *Fingers (and toes) crossed*