Anniversary Weekend!

Ryan and I had such a great time in Florida this past weekend!

Lots of time in the sun, sand and the occasional hurricane-like weather conditions.

Hold on for the recap!

On Thursday, our actual anniversary, I flew in to Fort Lauderdale, where Ryan had a driver pick me up and take me back to the hotel to meet him after his workday was over.

{He had been in Boca Raton all week on business.}

I walked into our hotel room, and Ryan had arranged for a dozen red roses to be delivered.

Of course he did.

He's that good. =)

 Later that day, I finally got to meet Ryan's new boss and was able to

put faces to names of coworkers of Ryan's from literally all over the world.

Total blast.

The next day, Ryan and I left Boca Raton and headed for our hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale Beach!

It was beautiful!

The view from our balcony:

We spent the whole day between the hotel pool and the beach.

We officially celebrated our anniversary on Friday night at our favorite spot,

YOLO, from the last time we visited Fort Lauderdale.

You Only Live Once

 Tuna sashimi with cucumbers and seaweed salad

Coriander-shallot crusted salmon with tabouleh

Yum

 Center-cut filet with wasabi potatoes and tabouleh

Dinner was delicious, and the company was awesome!

My sweet hubby and I...yep...he's pretty darn sweet.

A perfect night.

 The next day, we woke up to hurricane-like conditions,

but that didn't stop us!

We drove down to another hot spot on the beach for lunch and to watch some college football!

Lulu's Bait Shack

Oysters

One of our favorites!

What else do you eat during a college football game?

Wings of course!

We finished the day watching the Razorbacks sweep Auburn at a local sport's bar.

Another fantastic day, rain and all!

The reward came the next morning when we woke up to this weather:

Our flight didn't leaving until almost 7:00 PM, so we spent the day on the beach.

I heart this man. =)

While walking around, we came across this guy.

I'm willing to bet this isn't his first appearance on YouTube.

All good things must come to an end, and sadly we eventually had to drive back to the airport.

It really was such a great vacation!

I love that just the 2 of us can go away together and have the best time.

Can't wait to do it again.

Happy anniversary, Ryan!

I love you!

Until next time sun and sand!

ANI Christmas Party!

Friday night was Ryan's office Christmas party at Ocean Club right across the street from the Galleria...beautiful, romantic, swank, hip, d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.  They had a professional photographer there during cocktails and dinner, but until those pics become available, here are some not-so-professional pics of the partay!

Kristin...one of our close friends...and I

She looks amazing!

Kristin, Kelly...another one of our dear friends...and I

Kelly had a sweet little baby boy about 6 months ago!

Ryan and a couple of great guys from his office, Chris and Blake

Michelle (Steve's precious, super intelligent girlfriend that we all LOVE!), Kristin and I

Kristin and her hubby, Chris

Josh and Kelly

Love him!

Ryan being goofy and trying to act like he wasn't making faces behind Kristin and I while we attempted to take a pic together!

No a great pic, but this is Ryan receiving his award! So proud of this handsome man!

The "Million Dollar Man" award!  He works so hard and very much deserves the recognition!

Towards the end of the night...after many glasses of wine...Steve started being "Steve" and taking random pics!  Good times!

Please stop!

It's always a great time when the ANI crew gets together...especially since all the "changes"! Lots of good people! Oh, I almost forgot...Ryan and I won a $150.00 American Express gift card at the party!  Play money for our trip to New York which is only 6 days away now!

Elf on the Shelf Clock!

I was looking for a Christmas craft to do with the boys, and I came across the cutest clock on the Elf on the Shelf website and knew instantly they would love it!  We had the majority of the materials at home needed to complete the clock...minus the main part...a real working quartz mechanism. That's where Ryan comes in...I called him at work, told him how to print a 40% off coupon for Michaels, and off he went to pick up the clock parts on the way home from work! Love that man!

Later that night...

Preston coloring the face of the clock. Later you'll see the "nontraditional" colors he chose for Elfie and his clock!

Ryan trying to wake up Carter, who had fallen asleep on the couch, so he could join in on the fun!

Listening to Preston tell me his thoughts on how to wrap the box! Such a smart little guy...

Consulting the directions again

Making the hole for the clock parts!

Matching up the holes...

Ryan "installing" the clock!

The finished project! A real working clock!

The boys loved this craft! Even "The Teenager" made a remark about its cool-factor when he saw it. So much fun!

The Older I Get......

This past weekend over lunch at Pei Wei....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pad thai noodles vegetarian style...I asked Ryan what he wanted for Christmas, and he responded with "You with a Santa hat on"...men....and then he asked me the same question. It's weird. The older I get, the less I want. I honestly cannot think of anything I want, that I do not already have. I love Christmas for the kids and seeing their faces as they open their gifts, but if I had to think of something, I would say....I wish I could have met Ryan's mother before she passed away... 

What about you? If you could ask for anything, what would it be?

Weekend Recap!

Ryan and I had such a great weekend together and were able to accomplished so much!  We have, for the most part, completed our Christmas shopping for the boys...MY LORD...KIDS ARE EXPENSIVE...and sat down and wrapped all the gifts today!  I can't wait for my boys to come home and see them under the tree!  We shopped Saturday from early afternoon until evening, and even bought a few things for ourselves for once!  Due to exhaustion, Ryan and I spent a quiet night at home together on Saturday...Perfect ending to a perfect weekend!  Here's to a busy week ahead!

Hope your weekend was just wonderful!!

Thanksgiving in Pictures!

It was a wonderful day with an amazing family...

I am thankful for this man...

Preston's Plump and Perky Turkey Thanksgiving story!

Carter's hand turkey!

I made these for the whole family!

My adorable niece, Addyson!  I could eat her up!!

My sweet brother...one of my very best friends...

The kids playing Elefun!

One last picture...look who showed up later that night! The holiday season is officially in full swing!

So much to be thankful for!