Snow Day

If finally snowed in NC!!! It was only 3.5 to 4 inches, but Ross got off of work and so did I. So it was a nice day spent together. Something that seems rare lately. Ross went out with the Jeep looking for people to pull out of the ditch or just put back on the road. But it seemed every time someone went off the road they abandoned their car right then. So he had no luck pulling people out, but he did have fun driving around. And found lots and lots of ice. When he got back we went out to the store. I had some good deals that were ending and I needed to get. So Ross brought me to Teeter and we went on our short shop. When we got home we played the Wii and just hung out. It was nice just to be with Ross all day long. He did beat me at Wii bowling twice, I got him once, and tennis a few times. But that's ok I'll get him next time! :-D The wind was blowing so some spots in the yard had a foot and some spots had 4 inches. Here are some picture of when we were out and our house.

Our House

Our House 2

One of the main roads.

Main road

The main road was iced over.

So that was the major snow storm of 2009. Yes I know it's nothing big to you northerners but to us it's a lot. But I don't think the ice is something I would like to play with or drive on.

GingerBread House

Last year Ross and I's small group had a gingerbread house contest and we loved making one. I spent all day on the one last year and here's how it turned out.

Us and our house.

The beach and front.

The side.

The side.

The back.

Well this year they didn't have that contest but I wanted to make one anyways. So Renee, Christian, Ross, mom, and I sent out to make one. It didn't work out to well. It ended up caving in on us because we didn't make the gingerbread thin enough or bake it long enough. Next year we know to make it thinner and bake it longer. But here are some picture of us making it.

Cutting everything out

Baking everything.

Putting the house together. It was 1ft 4 inches long, 1 ft deep and 1 ft tall.

Roof construction

Putting the porch on.

Ross and Christian making windows, notice the torch Ross uses!

Window installation crew.

Freezing the windows.

Windows in and half the porch on.

All parts of the roofs are on and chimneys.

Putting the shingles on.

The chimneys and gable done.

What the house looked like right before the cave in.

Then this happened, complete cave out I should say, not even near done and well no amount of icing was gonna fix this, the gingerbread wasn't hard enough. We'll know for next year.

New Years

New Years Ross mom, dad, sister, and Justin (our nephew) came down to visit. We loved spending time with them and having our second Christmas. They got here right before Ross got home and we had Christmas all over again. Thank yall so much for everything you gave us, it was such a blessing!!! That night Ross got to try out his chocolate milk mixer and we played the Wii we got from mom and dad Jenkins until the ball dropped. Then we watched the ball drop and apparently Raleigh has a acorn that drops at midnight too. So we watched both of them drop gave New Years kisses and went back to playing the Wii. New Years day was spent playing games and talking. We had waffles for breakfast and French Dip sandwiches for dinner. The cats again enjoyed sleeping all day, who knew when people come they would sleep and when people left they would be going crazy again!!!
That night was spent playing the Wii to see who was the best at bowling and tennis. Ross went to bed with a sore arm he said. But, I have to say he picked out some really good Mii's to put on our Wii. You'll have to come over and see, we even have Jesus as a Mii....not sure how good that is but, he's there.
They left after breakfast the next day, right before Ross headed off to work. Then it was time to clean up and for me to go to work that night. We had a wondeful time visiting with yall and thank you so much for come to see us!!! Sadly we didn't take any picture while they were down.

Christmas

This year was our first Christmas at our house. So we had everyone come visit us and it was great!!! Mom, dad, Renee, and Grandma all came down for Christmas day and then Christian showed up the next day. Everyone showed up late on the 23rd and they had two cars worth of stuff!!! I guess that's what happen when you have to move tons of presents. So in the matter of a few minutes out tree went from one present under it to overflowing with presents and our stocking went from empty to full!!! We had a blast, we went out on Christmas eve to pick up a few things, plus it's my dad's tradition that's when you do your shopping. I have to say though I am glad I don't shop on Christmas Eve, it was crazy out there!!!! Then we came home and hung put until Ross got home from work. Dad made homemade bread while I did homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. We were so excited he got off early (4pm), but he did have to go in early that day too (8am). Then we headed to NorthWake for Christmas Service. It was very different but the children basically put on our whole service, telling the story of Christ's birth through songs and reading parts of the Bible. Ross and I agreed we never knew that NorthWake had so many talented kids!! Everyone loved it and they got to meet some of our friends!! That night we came home and made chicken marsala for dinner. O it was delicious!!! And had goodies for dessert, there were tons in the house at that time!!! And just hung out the rest of the night. O and can't forget playing with the cats.

Christmas morning we all woke up and ate homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, they were really sweet but really good. And then opened presents. The cats were going crazy with all the paper and bows to play with. They had their tuna for Christmas and enjoyed every last bite of it! Both licked the bowl clean!!! Ross and I had a great Christmas, everyone blessed us so much!! (Thank you very very much for everything). Ross started the turkey in the rotisserie and mom started the fixings. It turned out fantastic!!! Christmas dinner was delicious and couldn't have gone better with the Ukrop's fudge pie mom and dad brought. This was about the time the cats feel asleep and they didn't get up for at least 24-48 hours...I think we tired them out!!! That night we started on the gingerbread house since Christian was gonna be there the next day to help us with it.

the next couple of days were spent just working on the gingerbread house and hanging out, both days everyone was still here we got to eat lunch with Ross which was great to get to hang out with him that extra time. But all in all it was a great Christmas and we loved seeing everyone. Thanks for coming down and spending it was us!!

Mom and dad got us a bookshelf while we were shopping (Thanks again). Ollie was helping Ross put it together on Christmas Eve.

Our Christmas Tree

All the stocking (l to r - Mine, Renee's, Christian's, and Ross').

Ozzy Christmas day playing with the ribbon.

Ollie didn't like us putting a bow on his head.

Dad opening his gift from mom.

Grandma got a picture frame with picture in it from Meme.

Renee's sweater from Aunt Lynda.

Ollie with his ribbons.

Ollie got to tired to play with his ribbons.

That was our Christmas and we loved it!!! Can't wait for next year.

House progress

December's goal was to get the front bedroom painted. Well it's half painted and the extra bathroom only had trim left on it (I know I haven't done my job). With all my family and then Ross' family coming down for Christmas and New Years we needed to get the front bedroom at least livable. It was the only room in the house that still smelled disgusting!!!! So off to work we went...well more like Ross went cause I was baking. But, he did amazing!!! He started by putting a second coat on the extra bathroom. All I have left is the trim in there. Then he killzed and put 3 or 4 coats on the bedroom. It amazes me that a dark paint takes 3 or 4 coats to cover the wall and make it look like the actual color. When a light coat of paint only takes 1 or 2 coats. You'd think it be opposite. But, now the pink bedroom only has the trim and orange to go. You guessed it that room in the majority maroon with the top six inches being orange (GO HOKIES!!!). We offically have half of our Virginia Tech room done. I only have a few pictures, I thought I took more but must not have so here's the few I have.

The walls getting as smooth as we can get them.

Killzing the pink away!!!!

Killzing the pink

Killzing

Killzing

The Maroon

See the top orange isn't done yet.

Still needs another coat of maroon.

Notice the blue tape is still not gone, I really have to get on this project.

The bright teal-blueish color...not sure how to explain it.

Mom got us bright yellow bath mats (Thank you again mom)

The shower curtian Ross's mom gave us went perfect (Thank you so much)

As for the list....

1. Finish wood in closets.
2. Killz kitchen
4. Paint hall, entry, and kitchen
5. Look for tile because it's the next major project
6. Finish front bedroom and trim in bathroom

So that's 3 things crossed off and 1 thing added. Not bad.

Christmas Baking

Yall know how I love to bake well, here's what I got made this year....

What I have left to bake is...
*Three batches of chocolate chip meringue cookies
*7-layer brownies
*Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
*Chocolate Chip cookies
*Whoopie Pies
*Butterscotch brownies
*Peanut butter balls
*Two batch of fudge

I think that's everything, basically I've been doing lots of baking and enjoying every minute of it. Evey year I love doing this, it a stress relief from exams. Plus, all of our friends get to enjoy some baked goods. I baked and Ross painted the week before my parents, sister, and grandma arrived. Here's some of what I baked...

Chocolate chip cookies

Peanut butter balls

Marshmallow swirl fudge.

7-layer brownies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.