Christmas Tree Excursion

Lanie's First Christmas Tree

My mom emailed me last week asking if we'd like to take her pre-lit, artificial Christmas tree off of her hands because she recently bought a smaller one. I had to gently explain to her that Shaun would NEVER allow an artificial tree to pass through our front door. :) Instead, we headed down to Copper Creek with a group of friends to cut down our very own tree this past Saturday! We ascended up one seriously snowy/steep mountain with Lanie in tow, and after an hour (or two) of searching we found the perfect gem. Although...note to self: trees seem MUCH smaller when on a mountain surrounded by gigantic trees than in one's living room. However, after removing a few feet off of our tree we got it through the front door. Tonight we begin the decorating!

The Ladies

The Group

The Descend :)

Saying Thanks...

Warning: Do not continue reading unless you are ready for a corny, cheesy post. :)

The holidays are a time to indulge in endless mounds of turkey, stuffing, wine & pie and to also celebrate all that we are thankful for in our lives. 2010 has been filled with the highest of highs and some of the lowest of lows, but I am truly grateful for everyone and everything that has made this year a blessing. And I've decided to dedicate a blog post to that very thing. :)

For Shaun: I am beyond thankful for waking up to the most amazing fiancé and my best friend every single day...you continue to make me want to be a better person. Thank you for always making me laugh, for putting up with me when I'm grumpy, for thinking I'm beautiful even when my hair is a mess and I refuse to wear anything but sweatpants, for rubbing my shoulders when I'm stressed, for making my favorite meal every single week, for losing with grace to me in fantasy football :), for always making me laugh, for making every day of my life so much happier and for asking me to spend the rest of my life with you. That was the easiest decision I've ever made. :)

For my family: I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive family and to have a siiiiiister I also call one of my bestest friends. Thank you for all of the time we were able to spend together this year, for traveling to Seattle to visit us numerous times, for supporting me through difficult times and for always believing in me. You challenge me to push myself to my limits and to never settle for anything less than what I deserve. And to my new family, the Kehrbergs...thank you for welcoming me into your home and into your family with so much love. I definitely won the lottery as far as in-laws go! I can't wait to meet the newest baby Kehrberg this summer and to get to call myself an actual Kehrberg this coming August. :)

 For my besties: A girl could not ask for a better group of ladies to call her best friends. Thank you for continuously making me laugh, for always supporting me (even through my poorest of decision-making), for making my work days more bearable through witty emailing and i.m. convos, for the genuine happiness you showed me when Shaun proposed, for helping me pick out 'the dress', for loving me even though I’m the epitome of a ‘homebody’, for our sistah summits that can never come soon enough and for simply being the most amazing and loyal friends on the planet. I love you all to the moon!

For Bill Heinlein: First of all, thank you for your part in bringing two of the biggest blessings in my life into the world. Liz & Kellan are pretty rad. :) But also thank you for showing such courage, grace, sense of humor and strength through the most difficult of obstacles. You have inspired us all to live each and every day to the fullest and have helped put life in perspective for so many people. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for continuing to fight.

For Miss Lanie: Thank you for all of your puppy hugs and kisses, for greeting me with pure excitement every time I come home, for snuggling and keeping me warm at night, for all of your silliness that continues to make us laugh on a daily basis, for loving us unconditionally and most of all, for helping heal our broken hearts after losing Harvey. Harvey left some pretty big 'paws' to fill, but I know he would have approved.

I am so excited to see what 2011 brings...I know it will be the best year yet! I love you all and thank you for putting up with the cheesiest of posts.