Things I've done

Things I have done during my lifetime are in bold.
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band. (I played in the concert band...flute!)
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain. (I think the one in Seattle counts...it was really steep!)
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. (Like 6th grade or something...)
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables. (Herbs so far, but when spring arrives we're going for an all out garden.)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitchhiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held an alligator.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. (Can you want for anything more if you have a home, food to eat and other basics? We are very blessed and couldn't ask for more.)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke. (I think the best was at Megan's bachelorette party in Erie!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason. (As the women at work say...."oh, they're still newleyweds!")
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check. (I'm sure at some point this has happened.)
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. (My parents did and now Spencer and Sydney play with them.)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Been to Canada. (We just visited Vancouver last fall and actually were engaged in Niagara Falls)
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone. (my arm)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. (Thanks, Steve and Jenn!)
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Seen Bon Jovi in concert.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read Gone With The Wind.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury. (when I was 19, and I was an alternate. I think the only reason I was selected was due to my age and the fact that it was a drunk driving trial. It was very cool and I'd like to do it again. )
91. Met someone famous. (Does the drummer from Rusted Root count?)
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own. (We totally copied Mark and Michel's idea to start a blog in the first place.)

Tour da burgh'

We couldn't resist the chance to show off the key burgh' sites to my brother Matthew and sister-in-law Heather, who were in town from Atlanta for the Christmas holiday. Tour stops included the Strip, Downtown, Station Square, Squirrel Hill, and Mt. Washington - we hope we did the City justice! The weather was freakishly warm (70 degrees!) for late December, which worked out perfectly for taking in Pittsburgh's awesome night skyline. Everyone had a great time. Come back and visit us soon!

Family Christmas 2008!

Well, we were blessed once again this year to be able to share Christmas with both of our families. It was a bit hectic at times, but it was well worth the running around to see everyone. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning with Kristen's family at her sister's house in Hermitage, Pa. Then we were off to Seth's parent's house in Indiana, Pa for the rest of Christmas Day through Saturday morning. Seth's middle brother, Matthew, and sister-in-law Heather flew in from Atlanta Christmas morning to celebrate the holiday. We know Seth's other brother, Erik, and his family who live in Charlotte, NC were unable to make the trip this year, but celebrated with us in spirit. Our nephew, Spencer, thoroughly enjoyed Christmas this year - he's figured out how the holiday works! Little Sydney enjoyed the party too in between feedings. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family. Enjoy a few photos from our family celebrations.

From our house to yours.....

....we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Kristen and I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the blessings we have received throughout 2008 in the form of our wonderful friends and loving families. It has been an eventful year, filled with the excitement (and blisters) of a new house, welcoming new members to the family, and making new friends. We can only hope that 2009 will be just as good for us and you. Stay tuned for holiday picture postings...coming soon.

Cutting the Christmas tree....brrr, it was cold.....

From almost the first day I met Kristen, I told her I absolutely insisted on having a real Christmas tree. After all, I did grow up in the 'Christmas Tree Capital of the World' - yes, that's right, Indiana, Pa. Well, this was my year to start our tradition of cutting a fresh Christmas tree. With our friends Chris and Jenny (w/ baby Hall), we headed off to a tree farm north of Pittsburgh to take in some fresh air and scout out the perfect tree. Unfortunately, we chose a VERY cold day to cut the tree. But, we still had a great time and found ourselves a mighty fine tree, perfect for our living room. It is a 7 foot douglas fur tree. Kristen chose a blue and silver theme for the tree - I was a bit skeptical, but it turned out great. Enjoy some pictures of our adventures and the finished product.

Our First Thanksgiving!

Well, we've been busy, and our blogging has suffered. But, we're back! We had the pleasure of hosting our families at our house for Thanksgiving this year and we loved it. I guess hosting a major holiday is pretty much a given when you move into a new house - we we're glad to carry on the tradition. Both sets of parents, along with Kim, Philip, and our niece Sydney and nephew Spencer enjoyed chowing down on a very tasty turkey (...thank God for the brine). We had such a good time that we hope to host again next year. Enjoy some pictures!