Out with the old

and in with the brand new iphone! Almost 2 years ago we decided that we were done paying tons of money each month on a cell phone plan. On average our cell phone bill went from almost $1,500 a year on cell phones to about $240 a year. I was a stay-at-home mom and we had terrible cell service in our neighborhood. Mike used his personal cell very little (he had his work cell phone that he used often). It worked for us but I'm so glad it is over! I encouraged Mike to get a new phone when we moved here a few months ago and I knew that I would get a cell phone for my new job.




I never anticipated that I would get a brand, spankin' new iphone! It was well worth the wait! I'm in love!



My new phone comes with a new number. If you need my new number leave a comment on the blog with your email address and I'll email it to you (I won't publish the comments so your personal info won't be shared).

Christmas Highlights

Our Christmas was full of friends, family, traditions, and the joy that comes from giving and receiving the perfect gift. We began the celebration in New Orleans and then headed to Texas to spend Christmas at LexStone Ranch and then we headed back home to enjoy a little family downtime before the craziness of the new year begins.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We're overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and family! Olivia has a ton new books and toys (she's happily amusing herself with them as I type). Peter asked Santa for an airplane and was thrilled to receive one on Christmas morning. The kids also picked out toys for each other and it is so heartwarming to hear Peter say he's playing with his cars that Olivia picked out and that he's going to give Olivia the toy drum that he got her for Christmas.

It rained almost the entire time we were in Texas but Peter did manage to convince Grandpa to take him for a quick tractor ride. The highlight for me was getting to spend some time with family and I think Mike was most excited about getting a brand new bicycle!

Merry Christmas 2011

 

This year we decided to save paper (and time and money and sanity) and post our annual Christmas update on the blog instead of sending it with our Christmas Cards (which I FINALLY mailed earlier this week). So if this is your first visit here be sure and leave a comment to let us know that you stopped by.


2011 brought a lot of changes to our family! We moved from North Carolina to New Orleans which meant new jobs and schools all around. Olivia is attending a very special school for kids with special needs in New Orleans called the Chartwell Center, Peter is in a 3 year old preschool program at the Army Corps of Engineers, Mike is an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Tulane University, I am the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Loyola University. We are missing the wonderful neighborhood and beautiful home we left behind in North Carolina but moving closer to friends and family made it worth it!

We went on a few fun family trips in 2011--Charlotte, North Carolina; Asheville, North Carolina; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Washington, D.C.; 2 fantastic long weekends in the Outer Banks; and countless trips to Wilmington, North Carolina.

Peter turned 3 last month and it's clear that he's leaving toddlerhood behind! We said goodbye to his crib and diapers and said hello to organized sports when Peter started playing soccer. Peter enjoys school and his playmates, he loves buzz lightyear and playing with his vehicles--cars, trains, airplanes, helecopters, trucks, etc.

Olivia turned 5 in July. She has a smile that can light up a room and her giggle is infectious. She loves her new school and we are blessed to have found such a great Nanny. It was Nanny D. that discovered Olivia's new all time favorite food....a tuna sandwich from Subway. Olivia has been pretty healthy this year, there were a few ear infections and sinus infections but for the first time in 3 years I don't think we had any overnight hospital says!

Mike finished up his time as a battery/company commander. It was bittersweet for him to say goodbye to his soldiers and leave Ft. Bragg. He received several awards and it was nice to hear all the wonderful things that Mike's co-workers and supervisors had to say about his time at Ft. Bragg. I think that Mike has adjusted pretty easily to his new role as an ROTC instructor. He'll start grad school next month.

I've put some of my volunteer work aside and went back to work in Higher Education. I'm loving my job at Loyola. It is a great fit and hit the ground running! I have traveled quite a bit over the last 6 weeks and I'm looking forward to catching up on some quality time with Mike and the kids over the Christmas holidays!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

and....Done!

No I'm not bragging about how I'm done with my christmas shopping, to tell the truth I've BARELY started.

In the last 5 weeks I've boarded a plane 10 times, worked 8 Alumni Events and traveled over 6000 miles. I. am. so. done! I'm so excited that I will be sleeping in my own bed (at least for the next week or so until we head to Texas for Christmas at LexStone Ranch)