House hunters

So -- apparently I have a trend of starting every story with "so". So...lemme start over.

A few months back Zach and I started to look for houses. Nothing serious but just to get an idea of where we wanted to live and what kind of house we wanted and so on and so on.

We looked at several houses that were spread all over the town. Seems like every one we went into was such a disappointment until... dun dun dun dunnn we found a house in Johnstown. It is a four-year old two-story home on 3.5 acres. Finished basement, gorgeous kitchen, ff laundry, and the list goes on! Basically it is our dream home. So we decided after long debate to put our house on the market and go in contract on our dream home contingent the sell of ours.

So as it stands now, we have until February 5th to sell our house. If not, the contract is void and the house goes back on the market. And we're hoping that the nice other fireman will allow us another 90 days. After all, we've had several people come through our house and say it's perfect for them, but their just not ready to buy... maybe sometime in a few months they say.

My hope is that in February/March those darn people will come back and start getting serious!!
Send us lucky house vibes PLEASE!

This Year's Tree

So when Zach and I first started dating, we had the hardest time deciding how our Christmas tree would be decorated. He wanted colored lights and to barely see the tree due to the ornaments, cute...but my ideal tree was white lights and simplicity. So we concluded that each year we would take a turn at decorating the tree. So the first year, white lights and red ornaments. Then the NEXT two years colored lights and lots of ornaments! Which I have to admit was very cute.

Well... this year we really threw a curve ball. We went to cut down our own. I know. I know. Sounds funny right since Zach and I are so the woodsy type. We went to a place called polaris alumn farms off of Bayo Kanyon Road. And of course we pick the day to go when it is a blizzard outside and it's colder than crap. But we loaded the dogs up in the truck and took the axe (as Sara would say!)

When we pulled into the farm, we thought, oh, these must just be the baby trees and the bigger ones are in the back. NOPE. The cute little family that owned the farm who were standing up by the barn, which appeared to have been 900 years old, said those are the trees you choose from and they're all $25.

So we started our ventures to find our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We must have looked at 10,000 trees (obviously exaggerated)until we finally decided on our little scraggly tree. Stats: standing just over 5 foot tall and about 2 feet wide we found the winner. As Zach began to cut down the tree with one hand he picked it up and said, "Is that normal to pick up a tree with one hand?" HA!

But any way, we took the tree home and it stands proud in our living room garnished with white lights and red ornaments -- still no topper yet... we can't decide on one.

So we decided from now on, that's what we're going to do... is chop down our own tree since it was so much fun. Only next year we'll pick a place with trees that have a little more substance to them and maybe a little hot chocolate!
Merry Christmas!

New Christmas Tradition

12/2008 So this year Zach and I decided to start a new tradition for our “little” family. We are going to treat ourselves to a mini vacation right before Christmas as a present to ourselves. We’re going to visit a new place each year and in doing so be sure to look for our “Happy New Year” photo card from the city we just visited!

This year it was Chicago, IL. We packed up the car and headed out on Thursday 12/18. Zach drove and I slept most of the time, since I had just gotten off my Beat Cop shift that morning. It took us only five and a half hours to get there, using dad’s new Magellan!!

We arrived at The Avenue of Chicago on 160 E. Huron Street around 2:45p. We dumped our luggage in our beautifully decorated corner suite on the 28^th floor and headed out to see the Magnificent Mile, well… right after we had a beer at the Elephant and Castle. We shopped a lot Thursday, even though the temperature was about 9 degrees…burr. We headed back to the hotel and got ready for dinner. But first we stopped off on the 40^th floor at the Zebra Lounge for a drink overlooking the city!! Next we headed towards Quartino’s (the birth place of Marcella’s) for a yummy dinner. Then we took a cab to China Grille and had a drink there and then almost had a heart attack when the bill was only $30 for two drinks!!! Then we headed back to the hotel for a night cap at the Elephant and Castle.

Friday we got up and had breakfast at The Corner Bakery – highly recommend it! Then we hit the street in search for warm boots, since the winter blizzard of Chicago hit Thursday night, only to leave behind 8 inches of snow and sleet – FUN! So we shopped a LOT. Then we took the Red Line and headed up to Wrigleyville where we took pictures in front of the famous Wrigley sign. Then we went to Sluggers for lunch and a drink. Next we headed down to do some more shopping where Zach finally found some warm shoes after slopping around in wet tennis all day long. Then we went into a store called Strange Cargo where we got some more Tee shirts and I had my “I heart Wrigley” shirt made!! Then it was time to head back closer to the stadium where there are plenty of bars for entertainment. We stopped off at Mullen’s and had a drink. Then it was to Goose Island. Next it was to the famous Cubby Bear. When we went in, we found out that it was Ignite the Fire (a Chicago toys for tots drive) So of course we talked to the firefighter and had to buy a shirt! Of which he threw one in for me! Then Doug and Abbie called us and we headed back to our hotel to change and then back to Wrigleyville for a Chirstmiska! Good time to be had by all.

Saturday, after getting a late start from the Christmiska party, we showered up and hit the road. This time it only took us seven and a half hours to get back! Mind you, that was after a speeding ticket!!

All in all, it was a great trip and I’m so glad that we were able to enjoy each other during the hectic hustle and bustle! I can’t wait until next year… wonder where we’ll go? New York perhaps!