Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to stop by really fast to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Love,
Michael, Amanda
Chico, Scrappy Rocky & Jagger

Holiday Traditions in 25 Questions!

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?

I like egg nog, but I love hot chocolate! I usually drink it at least once a day at work. It’s just so darn yummy!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa wraps the presents.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

The tree has white lights and the house has candy cane lights. It varies between red and white and it looks soooo cute!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Yes. We usually buy it when we buy our tree every year. J

5. When do you hang your decorations up?

The weekend after Thanksgiving. They don’t usually come down until the first weekend after New Years too.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Mashed Potatoes. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

I have many fond holiday memories, but I would say my favorite would either be the challenge of unwrapping my gifts early and rewrapping them so my mom wouldn’t know (it was a fun challenge to me) or getting my first American Girl Doll. I played with that thing for hours and still have them to this day.

8. What is on your Christmas Wish list?

I don’t have one this year. Normally it is a mile long, but surprisingly not this year.

9. Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

We used to open up one gift on Christmas Eve when we were children, but now that in-laws get Christmas Eve, we open all of that side’s gifts.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

My tree has a strict red and white theme

11. Snow? Love it or dread it?

LOVE

12. Real tree or fake tree?

Both. Our big tree will always be real, but I have 3 other trees scattered around the house that are fake.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

American Girl Doll. <3

14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

The most important thing about this time of the year is being able to enjoy having the opportunity to spend time with my loving family. I am truly blessed!

15. What is your favorite Holiday dessert?

Pumpkin pie. I know it’s more of a Thanksgiving dessert, but I make it every year for Christmas too. J

16. What is your favorite tradition?

We always do something fun after Christmas. Either take a day trip or an overnighter. I have many fond memories and that has to be my favorite tradition.

17. What tops your tree?

An angel.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?

Although I love the surprise of opening up gifts from others, I really enjoy watching people’s reactions when they open a gift from me. Most of the time it’s a happy one.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Grown Up Christmas List- Amy Grant

Frosty the Snowman

20. Candy canes, yuck or yum?

Yum…

21. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Home Alone & Miracle on 34^th Street.

22. What do you leave for Santa?

Christmas cookies w/ chocolate mike and carrots.

23. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

We open stockings, then open presents and then breakfast.

24. Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

Online! I am a bargain hunter, so comparing prices is way easier online.

25. Christmas letter or Christmas card?

A letter…even though I was bad this year and only did a card.

Now it’s your turn! Answer any of the above questions—tell me about your holiday traditions!

A Little Random Questionnaire

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

I don’t know for sure, but I believe there was a character on a popular show in the 80’s with my name. I remember hearing my mom say that she heard the name and liked it.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

12/2/2011

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

If I concentrate on it, then yes. But normally, it’s disgustingly sloppy.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Turkey.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

4. They are quite furry and don’t speak English though. :)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Sure, but sometimes I think I am annoying.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Depends on who I am with. I love sarcasm as long as it’s not mean… and as long as the people you are with understand that it is sarcasm.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

If I was given some sort of death sentence. Aside from that…no way.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Banana Nut Crunch.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Not usually.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Yes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Mocha.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Usually their eyes.

15. RED OR PINK?

Pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

I wish I could wake up earlier in the morning. I love being awake really early in the morning, but I hate actually waking up.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My grandpa.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

Absolutely I do.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

I’m in a brown skirt and shoes.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Banana Nut Muffin. I am about to go to lunch with Aston though. J

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

105.1

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Aqua.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Anything that smells clean. Especially babies.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Someone at one of the plants for work.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

I do.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Baseball.

27. HAIR COLOR?

Brown… sometimes blonde, but brown right now.

28. EYE COLOR?

Green.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Usually, but not lately.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Anything Italian!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Both.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Due Date.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Navy & Tan.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Winter.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Both. I know…that’s cheating. Get over it.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Ashley.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Everyone else.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

Knocked Up.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

A puppy dog.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?

Nothing. Went to bed early.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?

rain.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Beatles for sure.

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Tawain.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

No idea what it is if I do. :)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

San Jose, CA

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK THE MOST?

EVERYONE’S!!!!!

10 Loves Friday

In honor of going back to school next month to pursue another one of my many interests, I’ve decided to make this top 10 about how I want to redecorate our current house, and our next house in the remodel. I love the Country Chic/ Victorian style. Michael, however, loves modern and clean lines. Luckily for me he hates decorating and doesn’t care that much as long as the house is picked up and presentable.


1) Entryway-

2) Living Room-

3) Dining Room-

4) Family Room-

5) Kitchen-

6) Master Bedroom-

7) Master Bathroom-

8) Guest Room-

9) Nursery (eventually)-

10) Random Accessories-

Weekend Happenings

My mom came into town this last weekend and we had fun hanging out. We drove through Loomis (we lived there for a few years when I was little) and went shopping in downtown Loomis and Lincoln. It was fun driving down our old street and touring the different neighborhoods. I’ve got to say I really do love that town and look forward to the future. :)

Saturday night Mara, my mom and I went to KNCI’s Country Christmas concert while the boys had a big poker night. It was a lot of fun, and the concert was by far one that we will never forget. It was 4 hours of opening acts before the headliner even took the stage, one of which was a Justin Bieber wanna-be that should not have been at a country concert. After waiting, for what seemed like forever, Montgomery Gentry came on. It would have been great if Montgomery wasn’t drunk and stumbling around the stage. He slurred his words and we spent most of the time trying to decipher what he was saying. To quote Mara, who was quoting Eddie Montgomery, “Thith izzzz maa towwwwn! Mewwy clithmath!”



Here are a few pictures from the night...

10 Loves Friday

I am sure I’ve said this before, but Michael I love to travel. It is one thing that defines us as a couple. We love exploring new places and seeing how others live. I love learning the history of the different countries and what defines them as a country. In honor of that, today I am going to talk about my top 10 travel destinations that we have either been to or would like to travel to. While there are many, many more places than those that I am going to list…these are my top 10 in no particular order.


Italy- #1 Place we want to go! We are both Italian and we would love, love, love to see where we came from.
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Rome, 3,550,900 (metro. area), 2,455,600 (city proper)
Languages:Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-speaking minorities
Ethnicity/race:Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian- and Greek-Italians in the south)
Religions:Roman Catholic approx. 90%, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic







Australia-
Capital (2003 est.): Canberra, 327,700
Languages:English 79%, native and other languages
Ethnicity/race:Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions:Roman Catholic 26%, Anglican 21%, other Christian 21%, Buddhist 2%, Islam 2%, other 1%, none 15% (2001)




France- I've been there, but I want to experience it with Michael. <3
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Paris, 9,854,000 (metro. area), 2,110,400 (city proper)
Languages:French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects (Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Ethnicity/race:Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Southeast Asian, and Basque minorities
Religions:Roman Catholic 83%–88%, Protestant 2%, Islam 5%–10%, Jewish 1%, unaffiliated 4%





Great Britain- My Nana and Grandpa Pete moved from England in the 50's. I want to explore of my heritage with Michael since I've already been here once before.
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): London, 7,615,000 (metro. area), 7,429,200 (city proper)
Languages:English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic
Ethnicity/race:English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%; Northern Irish 2.9%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001)
Religions:Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001)




South Africa-
Administrative capital (2003 est.): Pretoria, 1,541,300 (metro. area), 1,249,700 (city proper); Legislative capital and largest city: Cape Town, 3,140,600 (metro. area), 2,733,000 (city proper). Judicial capital: Bloemfontein, 378,000. No decision has been made to relocate the seat of government. South Africa is demarcated into nine provinces, consisting of the Gauteng, Northern Province, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu/Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State. Each province has its own capital
Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001)
Ethnicity/race: black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001)
Religions: Zion Christian 11%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8%, Catholic 7%, Methodist 7%, Dutch Reformed 7%, Anglican 4%, other Christian 36%, Islam 2%, none 15% (2001)




St. Lucia-
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Castries, 60,300
Languages: English (official), French patois
Ethnicity/race: black 82.5%, mixed 11%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census)
Religions: Roman Catholic 68%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 6%, Evangelical 2%, Anglican 2%, other Christian 5%, Rastafarian 2%, none 5% (2001)




Taiwan- I have family here and would love for Michael to see where they live. Last time I was there I was 7 years old.
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Taipei, 7,871,900 (metro. area), 2,722,600 (city proper)
Languages: Chinese (Mandarin, official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Ethnicity/race: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%



Belize- We went here on our Wedding Cruise, but Michael was injured and we didn't get to see anything. We swore then we would be back!
Capital (2003 est.): Belmopan, 8,700
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Ethnicity/race: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7%, Anglican 5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Mennonite 4%, Methodist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%), none 9%, other 14% (2000)




Dominican Republic-
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Santo Domingo, 2,851,300 (metro. area), 2,252,400 (city proper)
Language:Spanish
Ethnicity/race:white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%
Religion:Roman Catholic 95%




Eqypt-
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Cairo, 11,146,000 (metro. area), 7,629,866 (city proper)
Languages:Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Ethnicity/race:Egyptian 98%, Berber, Nubian, Bedouin, and Beja 1%, Greek, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%
Religions:Islam (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, Christian 1%, other 6%











**country facts were found online at: www.infoplease.com

Reliving our reception

Hello again!

I am sorry I have been MIA for the last week and a half. Things have been crazier than normal and I haven’t had much time to sit down and write. I wanted to post some of our pictures from the reception on here though since we got them back last week.


We are so blessed to have all our family and friends come from all over to celebrate our marriage. We were married in Cozumel the month before, but decided we wanted to celebrate with everyone in California since a lot of our family were unable to make the trip. Everything was beautiful and we couldn't have asked for anything more perfect!

We keep talking about how amazing it was to share another special day with the people we love the most. It was so much fun to bring everyone together.

Our pictures express our happiness so well-- here are some of our favorite ones from our favorite day: