January Recap

And January is nearly gone!
School started, I'm taking a teaching class which has so far been a lot of reading and trying to understand the psychology of students and responsibility of educators. Emily also started a writing group.
LSU won its bowl game, Auburn won the national championship, and the Badgers wonderful run came to an end against TCU.











  

Snowmageddon happened: we had snow in Birmingham! UAB closed down for a day, most schools were closed for the week. Watching cars slip on the road from the balcony was awesome. It also meant that I discovered that walking from home to work is quite pleasurable. So now I walk to work on most days.

Tom is really happy about the Xmas blanket that I made him. 



Especially since the Packers are on a winning streak! Yes, the jersey was a Xmas gift, #52 Clay Matthews!
Watching the Packers v Falcons game with the gang.

Then the BIG game: Packers v Bears for the NFC championship, complete with spinach and artichoke dip, deviled eggs, and pigs in a blanket. Standing room only. There was also yummy goodies that the gang brought. And when we won, Tom opened the champagne!

Dallas, and the Steelers, here we come!

December Recap

I met BFF Susie Beth and Jarrod’s baby, Julia Elizabeth in October and was named Aunt Kaj! She is adorable! Since Susie is using smile mommy, a diaper service provider (http://www.smilemommy.com/) I wasn’t sure whether a diaper cake would be appropriate. But then the Pattersons use diapers for their road trips so here I was, making a diaper cake out of 258 diapers! 

Tom and I went to the Institute’s (http://southernresearch.org/) holiday party, followed by Chantelle’s birthday party, where I was excited to see BFF Nate.

The first Christmas at the house was nice. Tom surprised me by putting blue lights on the tree (I don’t like lit trees usually) and I actually liked it. Santa came early and dropped off our gifts <3

We left for La Crosse, Wisconsin for Christmas, prepared for the 15 hour drive. There was snow, a lot of snow, but it wasn’t as cold as I expected it to be. It was awesome being in Packer territory, during football season. We went to Sloopy’s bar, where our friend Caleb works. They have a burger, topped with bacon, cheese, and batter fried cheese curd – try it if you’re in the area, it’s called the Westby Burger, and is not on the menu. It was nice to see Derek, Jared F, Jared V and his wife Sam. 

 

Christmas at the Larsons was OMG fantastic and relaxing. Tom, the grill master, cooked steaks in the snow for the Xmas eve’s dinner, and Laurie (Tom’s mom) made a wonderful standing prime rib roast. And the gifts the next day!

Then on Monday December 26, Tom’s sister, Mary got married.

We managed to include a date night, starting with cocktails at the 50’s theme Starlite lounge, followed by dinner at Buzzard Billy’s. This place has better Cajun food than Birmingham, and their menu is ridiculous! (http://www.buzzardbillys.com/vnews/display.v/ART/4522e4904d226) We also went to dinner with Caleb and Anna, Jared V and Sam at Digger’s.

Then like all good things come to an end, we left for Sweet Home Alabama, with a car full of gifts, beer, and cheese, and hearts full of happiness and gratitude, and lots of memories.