I'm baaaacckkkk!

    Wow, sorry it has been so long! I guess things got even busier than anticipated. November was great, we had Thanksgiving with Andrew's family then went on a fabulous cruise with my dad and family!  Vacation was amazing and much needed.  We had a lot of fun with the family, but also got to spend some time just the two of us as well.  It really was our first major vacation since our honeymoon almost 4 years ago! Oh, I am getting ahead of myself!  In between Thanksgiving and the cruise, the week before we left to be exact, Andrew and the 211 Band had an event in Omaha to play at for the weekend.  The guys drove up earlier on Friday and myself along with the usual gals, were driving that afternoon when I get a call from Andrew.  I answer and he immediately asks if I can bring a first aid kit....insert short pause...."ummm what happened?"...."Well, Dave and I were moving some equipment and some stage equipment rolled over my foot and ripped off my entire big toenail." At this point I shrieked and cringed and shuddered and whatever you probably just did as you read that! So needless to say that put a slight damper not only on that weekend, but the cruise as well.  It healed well, but Andrew decided not to get in the water...probably wise.  We stopped in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.  Cozumel and Grand Cayman were relaxing, but in Jamaica we explored some caves and climbed Dunns River Falls, pretty awesome.  There are (quite) a few pictures below.  We drove home and as nice as vacation was, it was nice to be back; even if we did come home to 4 inches of snow and 12 degree weather!
    December came so quickly; and with it, me working myself to the bone to finish lots of homemade Christmas gifts. It's ok, it was worth it!  Three weeks after the cruise we drove BACK down to Texas to spend Christmas with Mom and Terry.  Another wonderful visit, it was fun and relaxing and we got a lot of girl time in which usually doesn't happen.  Mom, Heather, and I went shopping in Old Town Spring, did lots of baking, and the Monday after Christmas, Terry surprised us girls by making us appointments at a local spa for an 80 min. massage and hot stone massage...A-MA-ZING!  That was my first massage and certainly won't be my last!  Sadly, after 5 days it was time to head home luckily to much nicer weather this time!  We spent New Years with Andrew's parents and just like that, it's 2012.
    The holidays are over and it's back to reality!  This last year just flew by, I feel like I say that constantly, but seriously, where is time going?!?  As much as I love Christmas time, it is nice to be back in a routine with no where to go in the next two months!  March and the following months will be busy for us, but for now I will enjoy doing whatever I want here at home.  Normally I'd say I would hibernate, but it has been SO nice here. Yes, you heard me right, it is January and I said it has been nice!  It was really cold the other day, but otherwise the temperatures have been spring like...we even had a record breaking 64 degree day last week.  Some say winter is still coming, I like to be an optimist and say that even if it does, it won't last long. We are already to mid-January.  If winter decides to show up for a month or so, I can handle that considering that last couple winters it has started in November and lasted through March!
    Well, enough rambling, here are some photos from the last few months.  I will be writing another entry shortly as I have been busy sewing and just made my very first quilt! Ok ok, here you go:

Thanksgiving



At the Nebraska District Youth Gathering

The toe...for the sake of queezy stomachs, I posted the wrapped up version. You're welcome :)



Exploring the ship





Beautiful sunset our first night on the ship




Hot tub with Heather on our first full day at sea




Taking a break from laying out :)




First stop, Cozumel




Drinks after dinner




Grand Cayman






The whole climbing group...photos courtesy of the gimp, Andrew



Green Grotto Caves



Love my little Kailey girl



Uncle Andrew and Kailey's game faces



Last formal night





Last day at sea, dodgeball!





The four sisters



     Sorry for all the pictures!  I hope y'all had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Here's to a fabulous 2012!

Love, Carrie