The whirlwind of Christmas is now over. Christmas never really felt like Christmas this year. I don't know if part of it was because of our wedding/trip to Hawaii? We spent 14 months planning our trip and wedding and didn't really think about anything else. We got back the middle of October and then there was 2 months till Christmas! Never the less, Christmas was good to Mike and I this year. This was my first Christmas morning without my family but it was great being with Mike and his family and since Christmas fell on a Saturday this year we were still able to get in some Christmas time with my family as well. It was a good compromise for me!
Now that all the money spending is out of the way, we will be completely FULL ON in house buying mode. We should be able to have a house by next Christmas - and hopefully have a little more Christmas spirit next year!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
2 Weeks till Christmas...
Every year my family and I do a Christmas ornament exchange. We draw names and all get together around Christmas time to exchange our ornaments. It's a really fun tradition that I enjoy doing a lot. This past weekend was our ornament exchange so I went to my parents house (who live in Pasco, WA) this weekend for our family get together. As always, we had a lot of fun. The only thing missing was my husband. I really missed having him there but he needed to stay home for the weekend to take care of some work stuff.
We will be going back on Christmas in a couple weeks which will be nice. Mike and I have been together almost 5 yrs and this will be only the 2nd Christmas that we will have spent the whole thing together and my first Christmas morning without my parents. I've been pretty stubborn as for as who I spend Christmas with but since we got married this year I figure it's time for us to start our own traditions. I'm super excited to be with Mike for the whole thing and also to spend Christmas and Christmas Eve with his parents, even though that means spending it without mine. We will make the long trek to Pasco after we do our Christmas morning with Mike's mom. I'm excited and a little sad all at the same time.
As always there was a little family drama this weekend but it was with my mom's side of the family. I picked up two of my little cousins (ages 14 & 13) on my way through Friday and they were able to stay with us for the weekend. These girls are little rough and have seen and know way more than they need to for their age. It makes me sad to see kids who could be so smart and have so much going for them but can't reach their potential. They both had a lot of fun this weekend and hopefully gave them a little bit to hang on to for awhile. Being around them for the weekend makes me so thankful that my mom chose to make good decisions and work hard because her life, and mine, could have just as easily went the same way. My mom is just an amazing woman!
I just can't believe Christmas is 2 weeks away...I still have the majority of my shopping to do!
We will be going back on Christmas in a couple weeks which will be nice. Mike and I have been together almost 5 yrs and this will be only the 2nd Christmas that we will have spent the whole thing together and my first Christmas morning without my parents. I've been pretty stubborn as for as who I spend Christmas with but since we got married this year I figure it's time for us to start our own traditions. I'm super excited to be with Mike for the whole thing and also to spend Christmas and Christmas Eve with his parents, even though that means spending it without mine. We will make the long trek to Pasco after we do our Christmas morning with Mike's mom. I'm excited and a little sad all at the same time.
As always there was a little family drama this weekend but it was with my mom's side of the family. I picked up two of my little cousins (ages 14 & 13) on my way through Friday and they were able to stay with us for the weekend. These girls are little rough and have seen and know way more than they need to for their age. It makes me sad to see kids who could be so smart and have so much going for them but can't reach their potential. They both had a lot of fun this weekend and hopefully gave them a little bit to hang on to for awhile. Being around them for the weekend makes me so thankful that my mom chose to make good decisions and work hard because her life, and mine, could have just as easily went the same way. My mom is just an amazing woman!
I just can't believe Christmas is 2 weeks away...I still have the majority of my shopping to do!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wedding
Again, I've been bad about posting to my blog...not sure if I'm ever going to get on this! Since I last wrote the most eventful thing that has happened is my wedding! Mike and I got married on October 9 and the wedding was absolutely PERFECT! It could not have turned out any better. I had no nerves what-so-ever. There was only one little issue we ran into and that was with the reception location. I had reserved an outside pavilion a couple months before and when we were finally able to go look at it, it was a little less desirable than we had imagined. It was going to take a lot of cleaning and the kitchen area was actually pretty disgusting. My mom and I ended up talking to the people where we were staying and we were able to use their clubhouse by the pool for the reception. The reception was a lot of fun and turned out great also...minus the part where we got kicked out. :) We ended up invading one of the employee's space while he was putting on a lei making class and I don't think he was very happy about that. So at the end of the night we ended up jumping in the pool, in my dress and all, and after that Lance kicked us out. Mike was happy because we was ready to leave anyways. I'll post a couple pictures the photographer sent me...and I can't wait to get the rest of them!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Blessed
Wow, so I've been really bad about my blog. I love the idea of having a blog but it seems life always happens and this is the last thing I really think about doing.
Some updates since I last wrote...I turned 28 on July 27th. Not quite as big of a deal as turning 25 for me but I can't believe I'm that much closer to 30! I received an awesome Nikon D-3000(Digital SLR) camera from Mike and my parents for my birthday and have been obsessed with taking pictures ever since. I will have to post some of the pictures I've taken. I feel like I actually have a hobby now that I really, really enjoying doing. I start taking pictures and I forget about absolutely everything else and I could do it for hours and hours. I still don't know enough about how to use my camera to get the pictures I would like but I should be receiving a book by tomorrow that I can start reading!
On July 30th I officially became an aunt! My sister in law gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Raelyn Quinn weighing 7lbs and 20" long I believe. She is just a doll! I just love her and am so excited to be an aunt and watch her grow up. Of course, I took some cute pictures of her too!
Paul and Lyndsay's wedding. They got married on August 6th at Edgefield and it was such a good time. I'm so happy for them that they got married and am honored that I was able to stand up with them. They are 2 of the best friends anyone could really ask for.
I had my first bridal shower last weekend at my parents house. It was so much fun! I truely feel blessed to have the friends and family I do in my life. It's just an incredible feeling to have so many supportive people in your life. I will be having 2 different bridal showers here in Portland. One will be a family shower that my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and family friend are throwing for me and then Lyndsay is throwing one for the friends. There were just too many people to have one so I had to split it up. Sucks for me to have SO many people I have to invite :)
Only 50 days until the big day!!!! I can't wait!! I think our count is at about 46-47 people now attending our wedding. That just blows me away. We have so many people going to Hawaii to be a part of our day. I'm starting to get so excited but at the same time, I'm not sure it's completely hit me that I'm getting married. We started the planning about 12 months ago so it's been a long time coming. It's going to be a blast with all of our friends and family there though. Unbelievable.
I'm getting ready to start my weekend and I'm really going to try and be better about blogging...we'll see...
Some updates since I last wrote...I turned 28 on July 27th. Not quite as big of a deal as turning 25 for me but I can't believe I'm that much closer to 30! I received an awesome Nikon D-3000(Digital SLR) camera from Mike and my parents for my birthday and have been obsessed with taking pictures ever since. I will have to post some of the pictures I've taken. I feel like I actually have a hobby now that I really, really enjoying doing. I start taking pictures and I forget about absolutely everything else and I could do it for hours and hours. I still don't know enough about how to use my camera to get the pictures I would like but I should be receiving a book by tomorrow that I can start reading!
On July 30th I officially became an aunt! My sister in law gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Raelyn Quinn weighing 7lbs and 20" long I believe. She is just a doll! I just love her and am so excited to be an aunt and watch her grow up. Of course, I took some cute pictures of her too!
Paul and Lyndsay's wedding. They got married on August 6th at Edgefield and it was such a good time. I'm so happy for them that they got married and am honored that I was able to stand up with them. They are 2 of the best friends anyone could really ask for.
I had my first bridal shower last weekend at my parents house. It was so much fun! I truely feel blessed to have the friends and family I do in my life. It's just an incredible feeling to have so many supportive people in your life. I will be having 2 different bridal showers here in Portland. One will be a family shower that my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and family friend are throwing for me and then Lyndsay is throwing one for the friends. There were just too many people to have one so I had to split it up. Sucks for me to have SO many people I have to invite :)
Only 50 days until the big day!!!! I can't wait!! I think our count is at about 46-47 people now attending our wedding. That just blows me away. We have so many people going to Hawaii to be a part of our day. I'm starting to get so excited but at the same time, I'm not sure it's completely hit me that I'm getting married. We started the planning about 12 months ago so it's been a long time coming. It's going to be a blast with all of our friends and family there though. Unbelievable.
I'm getting ready to start my weekend and I'm really going to try and be better about blogging...we'll see...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Weekend
Where has this week gone? It's already Wednesday.
This past weekend Mike and I went to see my family in Pasco, Washington and had a fun Saturday full of boating. I've been desperate to get a tan since I'm in a wedding in August and my own wedding is in October. Living in Portland doesn't really allow for much tanning time. We spent the whole day, about 7 hrs, on the river on Saturday and it was just nice to be with the family, relax, eat, and tan! Of course, it never fails, that the police had to stop in and do a boat check. I had to get a picture to document because I swear the cops are attracted to my family. :) But, I really couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I always love spending time with my parents. It was always a rare thing when I worked retail but now that I work a "normal" job I'm able to go visit them more which is a blessing.
Tonight is a CONGRATULATIONS dinner to Mike for accepting a new position as an account manager at Mentor Graphics. We are having dinner with his boss and friends from the office, not sure where we are going yet though. Mike is really excited about this new position, as am I. He is still employed through Securitas but managing one of their global accounts now. I think this new journey for him is going to be an amazing opportunity to further his career. These kinds of things are always a little bittersweet...it's sad leaving the people you work with and have come to love but so awesome to get new opportunities to learn and grow. He will also now be working Monday through Friday (with me!) and not have all the phone calls he does now. Literally, we can't even sit through a movie without his phone ringing. I'm so excited that we will have more time together and that he will be able to visit the parentals with me.
I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring for us!
This past weekend Mike and I went to see my family in Pasco, Washington and had a fun Saturday full of boating. I've been desperate to get a tan since I'm in a wedding in August and my own wedding is in October. Living in Portland doesn't really allow for much tanning time. We spent the whole day, about 7 hrs, on the river on Saturday and it was just nice to be with the family, relax, eat, and tan! Of course, it never fails, that the police had to stop in and do a boat check. I had to get a picture to document because I swear the cops are attracted to my family. :) But, I really couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I always love spending time with my parents. It was always a rare thing when I worked retail but now that I work a "normal" job I'm able to go visit them more which is a blessing.
Tonight is a CONGRATULATIONS dinner to Mike for accepting a new position as an account manager at Mentor Graphics. We are having dinner with his boss and friends from the office, not sure where we are going yet though. Mike is really excited about this new position, as am I. He is still employed through Securitas but managing one of their global accounts now. I think this new journey for him is going to be an amazing opportunity to further his career. These kinds of things are always a little bittersweet...it's sad leaving the people you work with and have come to love but so awesome to get new opportunities to learn and grow. He will also now be working Monday through Friday (with me!) and not have all the phone calls he does now. Literally, we can't even sit through a movie without his phone ringing. I'm so excited that we will have more time together and that he will be able to visit the parentals with me.
I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring for us!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Assortment of Thoughts
I started a blog once, almost a year ago, that was going to chronicle the events of my wedding planning but that got squashed fast. I made one post and that was it. I ended up making a wedding website instead, which is www.theknot.com/ourwedding/samanthahenry&mikeandrews. In case anyone is interested in any wedding plans. Everything you need to know is there. After some facebook stalking today, yes I do that quite often while at work, I decided to start a blog. Mostly for me, a place to write down thoughts and things I want to accomplish and maybe since I write it down it will help hold me accountable? We'll see.
I often feel like I'm not really living my life. I get up, take care of Bax, go to work, sit in traffic, get crabby, come home, eat, watch tv, go to bed and do it all over again the next day. I can't resist a relaxing day at home just hanging out with boyfriend(fiancee) but I can't help but feel like there is so much more to life and I'm still young with no kids to hold me back from anything. We (meaning me and boyfriend) should be out doing fun things and making memories! I turn 28 on the 27th of this month, a short 21 days away, and I've decided I should experience 28 new things this year. Hopefully, I will stick to this.
I'm starting to get really excited for the wedding and Hawaii. Mike and I fell in love with Hawaii when we went the first time so how fitting for us to be getting married there. I have absolutely no worries or stresses over the wedding, I know it's going to turn out perfect and we have so many friends and family that are going to be there celebrating with us it's a little unbelievable really. I can't wait to start that chapter in my life as Mrs. Samantha Andrews(I just love my new last name:)).
Last thought, I've recently taken a liking to photography. I can thank my mom for that. She takes awesome pictures and although, I've always liked photos, it wasn't until my mom and I went out one night and I took some of my own pictures, that turned out pretty good for my first time, that I wanted to get into it a little more. I took some pictures yesterday just with my little point and shoot camera and a couple of them turned out pretty well.
I often feel like I'm not really living my life. I get up, take care of Bax, go to work, sit in traffic, get crabby, come home, eat, watch tv, go to bed and do it all over again the next day. I can't resist a relaxing day at home just hanging out with boyfriend(fiancee) but I can't help but feel like there is so much more to life and I'm still young with no kids to hold me back from anything. We (meaning me and boyfriend) should be out doing fun things and making memories! I turn 28 on the 27th of this month, a short 21 days away, and I've decided I should experience 28 new things this year. Hopefully, I will stick to this.
I'm starting to get really excited for the wedding and Hawaii. Mike and I fell in love with Hawaii when we went the first time so how fitting for us to be getting married there. I have absolutely no worries or stresses over the wedding, I know it's going to turn out perfect and we have so many friends and family that are going to be there celebrating with us it's a little unbelievable really. I can't wait to start that chapter in my life as Mrs. Samantha Andrews(I just love my new last name:)).
Last thought, I've recently taken a liking to photography. I can thank my mom for that. She takes awesome pictures and although, I've always liked photos, it wasn't until my mom and I went out one night and I took some of my own pictures, that turned out pretty good for my first time, that I wanted to get into it a little more. I took some pictures yesterday just with my little point and shoot camera and a couple of them turned out pretty well.
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