Week

I went to my first ever rugby game on Saturday night and it was loads of fun! It was an Ulster v. Leinster game (Belfast is in Ulster--N. Ireland, and Dublin is in Leinster--S. of Ireland--Republic of Ireland). Dave explained most of the main rules to me, and I think I got it down o.k. I kept thinking about American football and how dissimilar/similar the game was to it--it helped me understand it better (even though everyone seems to think they are nothing alike). The main differences (in my novice opinion of course) are that you can only pass the ball backwards and the play is continuous (minus half time, injuries, or penalties which result in a scrum or a penalty kick). A scrum looks like a huddle except the two teams are facing each other head-to-head and pushing to get the ball. Anyway--it was pretty exciting. Ulster wasn't great though--and Leinster beat them 20 to 13.

Yesterday we went for a great hike at Fair Head--close to Port Stewart in the northern part of N. Ireland by the sea. It was really beautiful--but a bit cold and windy. Dave and I decided to head towards the bottom of the cliffs on the way back and meet the rest of the family at the parking lot. It was a difficult climb down--but we made it and had a lot of fun doing it too. The boulder field at the bottom was amazing--huge boulders you had to crawl over everywhere for ages and ages. My thighs are sore as ever from climbing down and over for so long, but it was worth it. Afterwards we went to Uncle Doug and Aunt Mercle's house for dinner. Their daughter, Elaine, and her family were there and we got to play with her one year old, little Finn (adorable). Dinner was great, and I always love talking to Uncle Doug--he's a trip really.

Helen went back to London this morning and she'll be back at work tomorrow.
Tomorrow Dave and I are heading to the Mourne mtns for a hike, then to a pub for a pub dinner afterwards (they're the best!).
New Year's Eve Mervyn and Sylvia are heading to a friend's house and we are probably going to order Chinese food and have a movie night--sounds relaxing! Anyway--Dave it begging me to get off here and go to sleep--it's 11:30, so I guess I better head off. We'll be back in the States at the end of the week--so I'll call you all then! Miss you!

Fun with pictures

I did a few more pictures since we have been here, just messing with the color and light balance and different features, but they were more colorful and wouldn't upload. So, here's the only one the would (though it's not the best one, I thought it was fun--enjoy!) This was from our last day out in Rome. We were above the area overlooking the Spanish Steps.

Merry Christmas family

Well--I don't have any Christmas pictures to post, but I did want to send some love out to those I'm missing most today. Yesterday I kept thinking what time it would be at home and what you guys would be doing. I wondered when you all got to Grandmama's house, when you sat down to eat or open presents, what time you would be heading to the candle light service (which was about the same time we were heading to our midnight service here). I kept thinking this morning about what times Shannon and Shaun's kids would try and wake up, and if you guys would have to tell them "not yet." I figured B and David wouldn't be up before 9 or so, so you guys are probably still in bed. We are about to have Christmas lunch here with Nana and Gaga--we've seen the rest of the extended family throughout this week and last and now they are all off to other family member's houses. I will miss opening stockings with you guys (and getting one too-they are still my favorite), having a big breakfast with grapefruit, and sitting around in our pj's watching Christmas movies. Don't forget to call us on Skype and keep trying if it doesn't work the first time. I love you all dearly! Merry Christmas!

"Grazie"...

is the only Italian word I tried to say while in Italy (which means Thank You). Good thing so many Italians speak English, or we would have been lost. A big of sign language and pointing served us well (though I felt bad I didn't try to learn any other words before venturing into the country--very American of me). Well, we had a wonderful time in Rome (my computer tells me we took around 226 photos--Dave likes to take doubles/triples of things). The first day was absolutely beautiful and sunny! We walked lots and actually a bit too far--we kept saying "oh this is close by, let's just go to that too," and walked further and further away from our hotel. The second day was rainy rainy (downpour at a few points), but we managed to duck in to a place in just the moment usually. Tuesday was a little drippy but not bad, and we were at the Vatican that day so mostly inside. The food was wonderful and the wine was great (and cheap!). But my FAVORITE was the Gelato (their version of ice cream))---SOOOO good!!! I got it twice. Anyway, I'll post the pictures up on facebook pronto. And mom, tell Bethany to get on facebook and let you see the pictures. I love you guys!

Picture problem

I've tried to upload photos here several times and it seems the internet here just isn't fast enough. So, I've uploaded them all on facebook--check them out there.

We decorated the Christmas tree today--huge thing since it was topped off the tree in front of the house (it's almost as wide as it is tall), but it's pretty! Got to see Nana and Gaga (Sylvia's parents) today and will see the rest of the Nelson clan tomorrow at their's. Sunday around 5 am we'll be heading off to the airport. Our flight for Rome takes off at 7:10 am (ouch!), so we'll do what we can about getting to bed early. Dave and I will be there from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday sometime. I'm SO excited about seeing everything. We'll definitely see the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and some of the Vatican--other than that who knows! I'll post the pictures from there on facebook too, along with the rest of the pix while we're here cause it just seems to be easier. Well, that's everything for now. I'm the last up, it's 11:30 pm here, so I'd better head to bed too. I would love to talk to any of you guys if you are on facebook (but you gotta let me see you--hint hint S) or skype (B--get on EARLIER!) tomorrow before we leave. Soon as you get on let me know or leave a comment for the time (in YOUR time zone) when you'll be on to talk. Love you and miss you all!

safe

Hey guys. Just wanted to update you. We are here and safe. We arrived about 8:30 am in Dublin time (5 hours ahead) today and hung out in Dublin for most of the day. We went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was stunning and so very very neat. I got lots of pictures and hopefully post those tomorrow if all goes well (this internet is rather slow). Anyway--we're here. B--don't forget to get on skype whenever you think about it. Love you all--goodnight.

All Ready....almost :)

Well we're pretty much packed--minus the random things lying around the apartment we keep remembering need to be packed. I think I did pretty well actually :). My last presentation was tonight and went fine; then we had a party at the professor's house--pretty awesome I know. Before class (and I mean RIGHT before class, I decided to give blood. Pretty smart, I know--but I did. And I'm gonna tell ya, I may turn in good service badge, because I am TIRED of getting screwed when it comes to the good needle people. They seriously whacked up my arm! It's already bruised and it's killing me! It hurt so much I almost cried during it--and I've given blood at least a half dozen times. They couldn't find the vein again--kept jiggling it around like it was a slinky. It hurts to even straighten it out. And then, when I was done and they have to fill up those three little vials, they jiggled it around some more because how it was put it made the blood clot so much it would hardly pump any more. Ugh. I really do think giving blood is a good thing, especially cause I'm the O+ universal donor and all, but I'm going to be sore for a week afterwards I think I might retire. Here's a picture of my arm 3 hours after the fact. P.S. Guess next time I talk to you guys I'll be in Ireland (or at least an airport--have a great Christmas!)

Thanks Mom and Dad

I was reminiscing with a girl friend of mine about Christmas memories during coffee this morning and I just wanted to say "Thanks" to Momma and Daddy for making those memories what they are. I never had "Santa" memories because they chose not to do that with me, and I didn't miss it. I but I do remember the scavenger hunts for presents on Christmas morning, the Christmas story being read first thing, eating grape fruit for our first course at breakfast, opening stockings first (always my favorite present), and having egg nog while we decorated the Christmas tree. I don't have memories of loads of toys or things, and I'm SO thankful that Christmas presents were never the central theme of Christmas in our family. I loved that we just spent time together on Christmas day and didn't do anything else. I want to do that with our kids if we get that chance--to show them what Christmas is about--to spend less and make a bigger deal of family and the importance of helping others during their times of need. I love our family Christmas, and I hope to incorporate it into my family too. So, thanks again Mom and Dad, for showing me what Christmas is about and giving me memories to last a lifetime. I love you both so very much.

Grove Christmas Parade--The Grinch

Two days and NO exams!!!

Well--we have two days left until we leave for Ireland. Sleepy was picked up by mom and dad today, and we already miss the guy :(. The house is emptier without his snuggles and excitement. I hope he's enjoyed there though.
I finished my last exam Saturday afternoon and now there's just a million other things to do before Wednesday. I still haven't done laundry for the trip, cleaned the house, or even started packing (though I've been thinking about it for about a month--that counts right?). I also need to clean out the car for the drive down the ATL, charge all the electronics, pick up prescriptions, develop film, and wait for the plumber to come fix the leaking problem from our--wait for it--chimney (we have a chimney for a stove pipe hook up, we've never used it of course). So fun stuff to do tomorrow and Tuesday. Tonight Dave was going to cut his hair short, so I decided to have some fun with it. Being my premier hair cut, it turned out like one of the New Kids on the Block--the first time around, lol. Here's some pictures to prove it :).

1. Egg nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg nog if we are decorating a tree at my parent's, and Hot Chocolate on normal days.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Ummm...dunno, no one ever did Santa with me.

3. Colored lights or white?
White.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but I think it's a fun idea--Grandmama always hangs fake mistletoe and I like it

5. When do you put your decorations up?
We only put up a tree every other year and it's usually the week after Thanksgiving. On the other year we just put up a few Christmas decorations since we leave for Dave's parent's house the 2nd week of Dec.

6. Favorite holiday dish?
Grandmama's cream corn

7. Favorite memories as a child?
Going on scavenger hunts to find where our presents were hidden, reading the Christmas story the morning of Christmas, and opening stockings.

8. When/how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember ever being told that Santa existed, but I told all my friends that he didn't! lol

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Only if we are at Grandmama's

10. How do you decorate the tree?
First Dave trims off the bottom part of the tree so it will fit in the stand and cuts a few bottom branches off. Then we bring it in, put the lights on it, and put all the special ornaments on first. Most of our ornaments are from places we have traveled or are gifts from family members or things that mean something to us.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?
Love it! Snowboarding soon hopefully! Plus, when you teach--day off!!! Woot woot!

12. Can you ice skate?
Yes, last time was in Ireland--hopefully go again this year.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Not a specific one, but opening the stockings was/is always my favorite part.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?
Spending time with family.

15. Favorite holiday dessert?
Christmas pudding thing they eat over in the U.K.--not exactly sure what it is but you light the sugar on fire to crystalize it right before you eat it--yumm!

16. Favorite Christmas Tradition?
Christmas Eve candlelight service at Grandmama's church.

17. What tops your tree?
An angel Dave and I bought the year we got married.

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving.

19. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night and Mary Did You Know

20. Candy canes. Yum or yuck?
Yuck.

21. What do you want for Christmas?
Snow and some black boots.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?
Do, but we have an annual friends Christmas dinner party at ours--just last Thursday--so fun!

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear P.J.'s?
Dress up--wherever we are there is a Christmas Eve service to attend.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?
Nope.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Every other year we are with my parents and the other year with Dave's parents. Hopefully that will continue for a long long time.

Excited

The week ahead excites me. There are events almost every day and then next week we'll be headed to Ireland!!! Today we are getting a few friends together for a Friend's Christmas Dinner. Dave and I (mostly Dave really, unless he tells me what to do) are cooking two chickens for the main course and some stuffing. Dave is going to walk me through all of it, because he always likes doing the chickens and there's not much room in our kitchen (or marriage?--lol) for two cooks :). Everyone else is bringing the side items. I'm very excited about it. Dave is home today because it is raining and the part of the house they are working on now can't be done in the rain. So, he's helping me put out a few Christmas decorations (we have the Christmas tree candle smelling the house up so nice) and figuring out how 9 people are going to fit around our table (he's rigged up quite the nice extension board since our table didn't come with one--it's beautiful really).

Tomorrow is Erin's house warming party--which somehow I am the one hosting it (at her house of course). I'm not really an events coordinator, mostly because I have no clue how these things work. But, I sent out a list of everything Erin still needs to all her friends and called a few people to bring some snacks. That's it right? I also sent everyone directions on how to get there and what time they should arrive.

Saturday is the town Christmas parade. Our church always does a massive float (last year we won with best design!). It helps to have a lot of builders in our church. This year we are doing the theme of The Grinch that Stole Christmas. The pastor's daughter is Cindy-Loo-Who (so cute!) and his son is Max (he wanted to be on the float too, so they had to give him some part, lol). There are three ladies who are singing in flannel pj's and then the band will be playing on it too! Hopefully I'll get a chance to post some pictures of it--so cool.

Sunday Mom and Dad are coming for lunch and to pick up their grandpuppy, lol. Sleepy is staying with them for the holidays--and I'm sure he'll have a blast. Mom pretends to not like dogs, but she loves Sleepy :).

Monday is my only day of not doing anything--though I'll definitely be packing by then because Tuesday of packed FULL! Tuesday I have my last night class and then we have a party--so we'll be out pretty late.

Wednesday if flight day! Beth and Jodie are taking us to Atlanta to catch our flight--and then we're off to Dublin! Very exciting week so you see :). well, that's about it, I should do some more decorating. I do love Christmas. Love!

A week in pictures

--The whole family--we should get dressed up more often, we look good!

Grandmama and Joshua dancing at his wedding

All the Fisher kids and Grandmama--amazing--I got one without them all talking!

All the Eddy kids--this is the best one, and Mom is in the background :)

The nieces and nephews opening early christmas presents from us since we're heading to Ireland for the holidays

The whole family--great picture I think

Sleepy--he did drive Mom a little crazy this week, but he's back home and all cuddled in a blanket. It's snowing outside right now so it's pretty cold here.