Mmm, I have been dying for Cafe Rio for MONTHS. (Why, why, why can't there be one on the East Coast??) Of course, I am currently suffering from a horrible aversion to lettuce...or all food for that matter! - but that wasn't about to stop me from enjoying a pork salad. Mmmm. (I just ate around the lettuce!) 
Best buddies reunited. Seth and I caught up with Eric for a few hours before he headed down to the Sugar Bowl (so jealous!). If there were a way to clone a Maryland-Eric, we would! 
Me and the Little Mudder
Aunt Barb, Kellie and me
DeAnn, Karen, Tressa and Thea
Stephanie, Aunt Cynthia and Meredith
We were exhausted by 6pm- definitely from a different time zone!
How much do I love the snow??? SOOO much!
Christmas morning, NEVER gets old!
Seth and I had a good time giving to each other. Always fun to see what we come up with!
Kellie made us the most incredible calendar, we just need to find an easel to put it on!
Phew! That was a full meal, my stomach is nearly exploding, oh wait... I was just excited to have a meal stay where it belongs! 
I'm really proud of this wreath, it was my first attempt at "creating" a wreath. I have proven once again, that I am, indeed, my mother's daughter. I picked out the ribbons, the wreath and the little balls all by myself! I even made the bow myself (totally not as hard as some people say!). I made the wreath Thanksgiving weekend, but then let it sit in the safety of our cozy house for two weeks before Seth had had enough. He said it was time our cute little wreath brave the cold, wind and rain. It was time it went outside. Little did we know the wreath would survive the harsh elements better than our roof. (That is a story for another day.)
This pretty much wraps up the extent of our Christmas decorating. No, those presents aren't ultra big, the tree is a little "petite". I bought some other decorations, garlands and such...hmmm, maybe they'll make it up next year. We didn't want to overpower the tree!
Mmmm. I like this kid. 
We had good company at our table, love Grandpa and Grandma!
Just picture it..."...5 days at camp, 4 regional dances, 3 degrees of glory, 2 pregnant leaders and a new, blue Book of Mormon!"
Seth and I were lucky enough to meet up with one of my most favorite roommates from college (and her hubby, Peter) this weekend in Baltimore before their flight back to Boston. Seth and I took them on a "walking tour" of the Inner Harbor (not entirely on purpose) before grabbing a quick lunch and heading to the airport. It was so good to see Sam & Peter! Can't wait to see you again!
All the boys took turns cutting the wood. I'm pretty sure there will be enough firewood to get them through the winter...and probably the next ten! I also learned today that to live in Maryland two must-have items are: chainsaw and a leaf-blower. We'll work on that for Seth.
After the tree excitement it was time for some good eats. Mom H prepared a serious feast for us. I helped where I could in the kitchen, but quickly realized I'm not much help! When it came time to "roll out the rolls" I think I may have had a slightly panicked look on my face. (What? Rolls don't come from the freezer section or the Neighborhood Bakery??) Seth was the only one who dared point out that my crescent rolls looked more like whales. Ah, I try. I do feel my cranberry sauce and pumpkin cheesecake saved some of my cooking dignity. 
We've had some requests for pictures of the trees changing out here. This picture is clearly lacking trees. Seth took it last week while we were exploring our backyard (literally). I "hiked" to the top of the hill...then realized that was the most "hiking" this pregnant girl has done in a while and thus, I waddled home...oh wait, that's not entirely true. On our way back to our house, we realized we had visitors, and we ran the last little bit to meet them at the house... the waddling took place the rest of the evening. (For those that have asked for preggo pictures, just picture Geri, rounder stomach, and a slight bow-legged gait. There you go!
I really like this tree. It's on our street,and I love how RED it is. I don't know that the pictures do it justice, it was bright red. About the time the leaves started looking ugly on it, it's buddy, one tree over, turned bright red too. Awesome. They must be Ute Trees. 
This was one of our many jaunts down to DC last month. Seth loves to catch me when I'm not paying attention (at least he didn't get me picking my nose or something...) I sometimes laugh when he's taking pictures of me from a distance, and I am pretending not to notice...the thought crosses my mind..."Who's the big stalker now??" That's right, we've both got a little stalker in us.
I don't really know what to say about this one, I think it kind of speaks for itself. 
Step 2: Document the messy house, and the sweet vinyl in the kitchen.
Step 3: Remove the baseboards. (Warning: it is possible the builders may have used 80 nails to attach foot long sections...may take time)
Step 4: Cut carpet into large sections and roll it up. Watch your fingers when assisting Seth in the rolling, he may try to roll them up in the carpet...OUCH! Once carpet is rolled, remove paper-thin carpet padding. (Be thankful you upgraded the carpet and pad in the rest of the house).
Step 5: Pry the vinyl and the board it's attached to off the subfloor. Be prepared to hammer down hundreds of staples that were apparently necessary in attaching the vinyl. 
Step 6: Remove the carpet tack strips. This may cause giant, blood blisters. (Side note, you know how kids have two different cries of pain? Type one: they let out giant wails and cry for a bit...Type two: you hear the thump, see the pain, but no cry comes out. They are stuck in that wide-mouthed silent wail. That's when you know it realllly hurts. Yeah, I let out the silent wail when I caught my palm between the prybar and the hammer.)
Step 7: Step back and admire the demolition. 
Step 8: Adjust to life in mayhem and dust. 
Step 9: Roll out the smelly felt paper. Get used to having black floors, you'll be looking at these a while. Oh, and that pile of wood in the corner...that's over 3000 pounds of wood. I helped Seth with a max of maybe 75 pounds of it, for one he didn't want me lifting anything too heavy, and for another I was too nauseous to be of much help. He's amazing for carrying all of that upstairs from the basement by himself. 
Step 10: Convince Dad H that he wants to spend the day helping with floors. 
Step 11: Admire the work, it's slow but steady. (You will quickly realize this is going to take more than a few days. For one, you only have a few hours each night to work on it, and it's just the two of you!)
Step 12: Try not to fall apart, when your parents, sister and friend come to visit and THIS is what your house looks like. Also, try not to glare at people when they say, "aren't you done with those floors, yet?" Instead bite your tongue and kindly say, "nope, not yet." Then hold back tears as you wish some of your buddies from home were around, because you know they'd be there from beginning to end. Now is also a good time to apologize to amazing husband for throwing up every ten minutes, and in reality, slowing down his progress. Although he claims you are really a "big help". 
Step 13: A big thanks to Dad G and a rainy day spent with Seth. Front half of the house is completed! (Sorry, no pics, I guess they moved too fast).
Step 15: Accept the much appreciated help of Dad H and cousin Luke for their help in the kitchen area, stove completed.
Ahh, I love the new floors. I am sooo grateful that they are done, it took just under a month and a half. Seth claims he's excited to tackle the next home-improvement project, I personally think we'll hold off 'til after the holidays. I can't even begin to say how awesome Seth was through all of this. I was a wreck, and not much help at all. He pushed through and worked his tail off to make our house BEAUTIFUL!!