Friday, December 21, 2012

Reader's Digest Version of November-December

:: The first heavy snow storm of the year took a toll our tree in the front yard.  I'm deep in mourning because I doubt it will survive the winter and it's gorgeous in the spring.
:: Robb presented at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics conference in San Diego. Robb's thoughts on the experience: "It was like going to the most boring science/math class you've ever had, taught by that foreign guy you can't understand, in 10 minute increments, all day long, for 3 days straight, with some genuinely interesting/awe-inspiring presentations mixed throughout. Needless to say, I spent a modest amount of time ditching out on lectures and walking around San Diego. I got to tour the USS Midway and eat in Little Italy and at Kansas City BBQ (the place in Top Gun where Goose plays 'Great Balls of Fire' on the piano and Tom Cruise dances with that blond lady at the end of the movie). If you watch the scene with 'Great Balls of Fire', we sat and ate just outside the window in the background."

Colby and I both had our own ways of expressing how much we missed him:
:: Our little man turned a year old on November 19th.  He was spoiled by grandparents on both sides (although he didn't seem interested in investigating what lay beneath all the brightly colored papers and bows), politely consumed his birthday cake in crumb sized bites, loved his new books and toys, and didn't seem to mind that his birthday celebration was two days late so Robb could attend.  Best. year. ever.
:: We celebrated Thanksgiving in Morgan at my sister-in-law, Heather's, house.  All of Robb's immediate family were there and we had an amazing time.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the food because I was more interested in eating than documenting at that point.  We brought pumpkin pie, shrimp salad (a Hays' family favorite), and green bean casserole.  It all turned out great except for the green beans, for some reason they tasted like dirt.  I chose to blame the recipe rather than my culinary skills.

(This picture makes me happy.  I caught Natalie giving kisses to each of her brothers, she's such a sweet girl)
:: Robb's parents took us out to eat at Red Robin.  Colby used crayons for the first time and successfully drew for two minutes before trying to eat them.
:: I turned 25 on December 2nd.  I'm old now (I have two gray hairs and a one year old to prove it).  Robb took us to a little place called Station 22 for lunch (really good food) and that night we got our Christmas tree!

I'm so excited to watch Colby discover the magic and wonder of this season
Perfect birthday.
(Notice there aren't 25 candles, Robb forgot to buy more, so he wrote out 25 in Roman numerals: XXV...I love him so much)
:: I also celebrated a ten year anniversary with my faithful Ford Taurus.  We've been through a lot together.  There are tire marks in the side door from the summer my bike was crammed inside while I volunteered in Ecuador, a giant skid mark in the front from where I hit a basketball hoop, and a large dent in the fender from when we got hit by a bicyclist.  The windows won't always roll up and the windshield wipers don't always work, but she keeps rolling on and that's all I really need.
:: Colby tried spinach for the first time and loved it
:: And icy cold wind makes him giggle and stick out his tongue
:: 12/12/12
01.  French vanilla granola
02.  Learning to de-clutter the tree
03.  Facetime with Grandma Rigby
04.  Jillian Michaels is not my friend
05.  Planning the menu
06.  Leftovers
07.  De-cluttering my purse
08.  Baked potatoes and Chili
09.  Bath toys
10.  Not as snugly anymore
11.  Late night (but finals are done!)
12.  Radiant

:: Organized the junk drawer (it's kind of sad how happy this makes me)
:: French Baguette candles from Bath and Body Works legitimately smell like fresh baked bread
:: Made Peppermint White Hot Chocolate for the first time and it's probably the most amazing thing I ever tasted out of a cup.
And the world didn't end, so all is merry and bright.