the lights.

Today on my drive home from work, I drove down this little hill, slowed down to go over the speed bump just wanting to get home and saw a bunch of colors coming from behind a row of trees.....Christmas lights! This home was decked out in Christmas lights, reindeer, Santa Claus, and numerous snow men. I must have had the biggest smile on my face, because before I realized it, the car behind me had started beeping and I noticed I was stopped just staring. 

One of my favorite memories from the holiday season are the lights. My parents and my yiayia used to take my two brothers and I, each and every year to Long Wood Gardens to see all of the trees and lights. 

I remember being completely swaddled in my winter coat when we left the house, only to have it unzipped by the time we got there. My oversized earmuffs that I absolutely had to wear, slowly slipping off my head as I ran to be the first one in. I loved the lights. I loved them almost as much as my yiayia. There were so many different colors but my favorite were the bright white lights that covered the trees. 

To this day, my favorite thing to do once the holiday season settles in and the chill in the air starts to overwhelm us, is to drive around in the car with hot cocoa looking at all of the lights. Yes, we have to get out of the car if I see an overly spectacular set-up, and yes we take photos in front of it. 

The first year David and I were dating I invited him over to my uncle's home for Christmas day dinner and he asked to leave early that night. If you come to holiday dinners with my family, they rarely end early so I was a little disappointed he wanted to leave early but I agreed. We got in the car and drove back towards my parent's house, and then past my parent's house. I had no idea where we were going and was a little annoyed at this point (yeah, it happens), until...I saw almost a half a mile of lights as we turned down this long road in a small neighborhood. 

There was a house with the greatest set-up of Christmas lights and decorations I have ever seen. He parked the car, told me to button up my white coat and put my hat on. We got out of the car and walked along the path this family had set up for everyone to watch the lights. David went there as a little kid, each year to see the lights. It was the best ending to Christmas. We go every year to see the lights and I get a little excited right after Thanksgiving, waiting to go see them. Thank goodness David enjoys it just as much as I do, or we may not have worked out ; ) 

Needless to say, I'm really excited to see the lights this year. 

Romeo and me.

It's official, Romeo and I are getting lonely. David went away this weekend with my dad to the mountains for some 'male bonding' I guess you could say. Romeo and I stayed home and entertained my brother and all of his THON friends that were canning around here this weekend. We had so much fun hanging out with everyone but really missed our other half who was relaxing over 'guy talk', beers, and target shooting. We know he missed us too. 

Romeo and I went shopping and bought a new winter sweater. For some reason this dog loves clothing (almost as much as his mother), which in turn, makes me spend an enormous amount of money on him. Oh well, our dog needs his own closet. 

We drove around in the beautiful weather, enjoying being able to put the windows down in November. 

Romey also had fun with his new cousin Lucca. How precious is this face? How can you possibly not love him?

Happy Sunday : ) 

Happy Happy Halloween and bye bye October.

October was full of pumpkins, hayrides, roasting marshmallows, lots of cupcakes, sleepovers with my favorite kids, too much "attempting" to home decorate, organizing, working : (, and enjoying the brisk weather. Can't believe it is over!

First day of November is tomorrow, which means: 

Thanksgiving. 55 days until Christmas. Coats, hats, and gloves. My favorite, hot chocolate. Pretty lights on all of the houses. Peppermint everything.  Pinecones.  Christmas cards.  Ornaments.  Our anniversary.  My birthday. David's birthday. (and everyone else in my family). 

So many things to look forward to. I love this season : ) 

Happy Halloween and here's to a great November. 

Sandy and the best little fort ever.

Sandy made her mark over the past couple days. Fortunately she didn't leave too much of a sting over here but my thoughts go out to those whom she did affect a little heavier than others. With no work yesterday, David and I basically hoarded as much food as we could, as much television as we could, and enough candy to feed an entire neighborhood of trick or treaters (I had to buy more today from the store). 

My hurricane must-haves yesterday: 

massive amounts of netflix 

pretzel m&ms

Footloose (I can't stop watching it, I know we can laugh together about this)

every form of social networking 

this site right here

this awesome new Home DIY blog I happened to stumble upon
Taylors new cd

and a bunch of other things.

OH and we made a pretty awesome fort to keep us safe last night.

Romeo and I loved it...David not so much : )

Have a happy week : )

Happy Happy Birthday dad : )

I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to the funniest and best man I know; my dad. 

The only guy that leaves me voicemails of full country songs bright and early in the morning. 

The man who sings 'happy birthday' song to me as I'm driving to work in the morning. 

He brings me full boxes of vegetables, fruits, and keeps us hydrated with cases upon cases of water and gatorade, each week. I will never go hungry because of this man, will never stop laughing either.

Happy Birthday to my dad, someone I can always count on to belt out country songs with me bright early in the morning, but most of all, look up to and count on : ) 

xoxo, love you baba.

life lately.

I've been slacking but I have been taking some photos at least. 

Sometimes life just gets too busy. 

I've been guilty of it sweeping me up lately. Yikes.

So, here goes with my photo dump. 

xoxo

random things.

I absolutely love this Google Chrome commercial. I think it is the sweetest.