2nd Annual House Hop!

To celebrate in Christmas cheer us Ohioans participated in the 2nd annual House Hop! We hop from house to house in a progressive dinner fashion and enjoy festivities and events provided by each house host! It was such a great time and we made lots of memories!

Our first stop was all the new apartments of Kari, Tom & Anna, and Jeremy & Kristin. The signs were a request made by Katrina.

Kari's festive decor!

Mom enjoying her hot chocolate creation from Kari's hot cocoa bar!

Kari's black tree with silver and purple ornaments!

Kevin went with tea since he doesn't like chocolate (Tommy must think he is weird)

lovely view of the woods from the balcony

Even a view of the Columbus skyline

Thanks for hosting Kari!

A fun moment with the Bowman's

Josiah looking dapper!

Nette being beautiful!

Friends!

My handsome nephew Judah and his buddy Skittles!

Off to Tommy & Anna's including the singing of Christmas carols and they made us puppy chow yum!

Their lovely tree!

Everyone enjoying tours and the Christmas decor.

I loved Tommy's Stocking!

The Kesslers photo bombing!

The we went to the Bowman's where we played a joyous game of charades. 

Dan Liss... "3 words!"

Judah's turn...

.....

Over there?

Knapps having a fun time!

mommy amused by someone!

I think Aunt Judy knows!

such a Sweetie

My handsome little brother

Aunt Judy "rocking around the Christmas tree"

My turn...

tee hee!

We loaded in the church van and were off to the Lopez's house singing carols all the way. Mom made yummy appetizers!

The Lopez tree

Its Nette again!

Getting along so well even after we all lived together for 2 weeks!

the Bowman's

Kevin thoroughly enjoying the appetizers and Nette photo bombing!

Aw love my man!

We not only posed for the nativity picture we acted out the entire telling of the Christmas story in 1992 Christmas movie fashion! We all mostly had our original parts, Aeris stood in for Tiff as the angel. Nette and Kari had to settle as sheep instead of leopard and lion this time plus Josiah along with  Judah and Burger King Tom were the three Kings and Dan was a shepherd with me.

 

 Then we went to the Felger's for White elephant gifts and Picadillo for the main dish in the progressive dinner.

What Kari always wanted a triceratops riding toy!

I got a 2 week old Pineapple!

Mom was happy to receive a plush Popsicle

Judah made out pretty well with his Hulk fists!

Sisters!

 Then we were off to our last stop, Dessert and Karaoke at the Knapps!

Aunt Judy had quite the spread including a peppermint punch!

Cheesecakes

a peanut butter pie made by Nette I think?

Yum lemon squares!

Anna enjoying the sweets

I love Nette!

Sugar cookies!

My favorites strawberry brownie Santa hats!

Karaoke selections included Chop Suey, I did it my way by Sinatra, the Grinch, Piano man, Ho Hey, and we are Family! Such a great night I hope you enjoyed coming along!  

Looks like Christmas!

The day after Thanksgiving Kevin and I had the day off and took the opportunity to decorate the house for Christmas! With Christmas blaring from the Pandora app on my phone our mess of glitter and lights began to take shape! Most all of the trimmings and such were bought on clearance last year at the after Christmas sales.
For the stockings I used puff paint and signed our names on them.
I was a little overwhelemed with all the decorations but I like how it turned out. I even had enough for my china cabinet!
Hope u all are enjoying the start of this special season! I miss all my family who are far away and think of you often!
Ps forgive the pictures they were taken with my phone's camera.

Summer Garden

Our pear tree had oodles of pears this year after a hibernation last year. I finally found the trick to edible pears too! Usually I would pick one off and it would be hard dry and sour. Well this year I would pick them and put them in a bowl in the Kitchen in the sun for a few days then they would become slightly soft and mmm so juicy! Perfect sweet pears!

At the beginning of Summer Kevin and I went to the local farmers market and bought a few tomato plants. Some slicing tomatoes, roma, patio, and sweet sugar tomatoes. These were the first batch this season, including a cucumber (only two so far because with the heat the cucumber plant didnt make it)

These are my Patio Tomatoes (they grow in a small planter) Most of them did well, they are sweet and about the size of a clementine.

 I love all the veggies but Im sad I didnt get around to planting my herbs this time around. It would have been nice to have some basil and cilantro on hand. Something to look forward to next year.

Wedding Day in August

A few weekends ago Kevin and I attended a friends wedding and I was our first time out with our new camera (Nikon D7000) I did most of the shots because Kevin was in the Bridal Party and I was still new to all that this camera could do. Needless to say I was a little disappointed with the result of this day but since reading the manual Im getting amazing photos now. This picture shows detail of the decor, tissue flowers on the backs of the aisle chairs! Clever!

The simple sweet centerpieces

My handsome man and our friend Phil

An adorable wedding guest

These were awesome! Star Trek cuff links at a wedding!

I was a huge fan of the Brides' taste in colors :)

A tired Flower Girl

Zach and Susanna, the happy couple!

We had a great time! I had Indian food for the first time and it was pretty good.

The cake was soooo yummy like seriously delicious!

Pretty table

The Felgers. Thanks to Kari for letting me borrow her dress and necklace

Phil & Valarie our friends that kept us company at the wedding. It was fun catching up with them. Wish we could see them more.

So cool one of the first songs that played was "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof and the whole family started dancing hands waving like in the play and singing every word!

Loved capturing these two, Our friend Jeremiah (brother of the Groom) and his fiance.

Kari's Birthday Bracelet

For her Birthday Kari asked me to make a bracelet to match a necklace she recently bought. This picture shows the unique gold flower box clasp.

This Bracelet is a double strand, Kari likes hers twisted.

I used white potato and rice pearls, glass seed beads, and faceted glass rounds. Hope she enjoys it!