New Year's Resolutions

As 2012 comes near, I have a few different resolutions for next year:

• Eat more fruit
• Menu plan
• Get back into couponing like before
• Read my Bible in a year
• Learn to crochet

I look forward to this year, and may God bring great things for everyone. 

Here are a few cute pictures to leave you with...

 Merry Christmas and Roll Tide from Abby (above and below)

 Merry Christmas and Roll Tide from Miles in his cute houndstooth hat (he was a little less than happy with the new hats, lol)

New Hobby

I can't believe it has been almost a year since I last posted, but it has been very busy. Here is a recap:

• Fly to Los Angelos for the weekend to celebrate our 2nd year anniversary in May. I have some pictures floating around the blog.
• Went for a week to a Caribbean cruise to Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and we had a fabulous time. A picture from formal dinner night is below. 
• We have listed our house on the market, and we are praying we sell quickly to move closer
• One of Jonathan's brothers married, and I have included a picture from the wedding. 
• I also have a new hobby of crafting. I have a blog to show my creations, and they are priced very reasonably, so please spread the word. My address is www.giftsbyrachel.blogspot.com

Renovations

 Apparently the renovation bug bit me, because I've been busy making a list for Jonathan and I to work on

Before in all it's junk

 After...big difference. I used craft paint for the grout and different tile colors. The project cost about $25 because tape was so expensive. I will probably not do this again, but it saved a lot of money meantime.

This is the guest bathroom, and our master bath will look like this soon.

Christmas Decorations

I can now make some Alabama cookies and muffins, yum....

My new project and sewing machine in all its glory

Meme knows how to buy for me :). I'm ready to do some baking now

A lawn decoration for my parents, too cute since they live in the country

These are some decorations I made for our house



I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas

Shutterfly = Awesome!

If you are looking for a website with a great reputation to order some Christmas gifts this year, Shutterfly is the first and only place you need. They offer a wide variety of products from photo cards, calendars and mugs. Wouldn’t your coffee drinking dad love to drink coffee from a mug that has his kids smiling at him?


These personalized gifts you can get ensure that person will not get the same gift twice. There is nothing worse than taking time to buy a gift for that special someone and then someone else buys it too. Getting a little creative for this Christmas season can prevent that oops from happening.

Christmas cards are the number one seller this time. Everyone wants to show off their family and special events from the year. This is an affordable idea, so check out this link to view the wide variety of designs available: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards.

I mentioned the mugs earlier as being a great gift. Here is the link for that product: http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs.

I know that my Grandmother loves personalized calenders, and chances are that someone you know would like that. Wouldn’t it be great to see a different picture each month and then have pretty reminders of birthdays and other special events? Check out that product at: http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars.

Happy shopping.

Random Pictures

Wow, I'm very behind on posting pictures here. Here is a snapshot of the past several weeks.

Church tailgating - much fun



Halloween day at work - Andy Martin and the 7 dorkies (you just have to know us)




Alabama's Homemcoing. I'm Big Al!




This big guy is set up by our tailgating tent




Our new kitty, Miles, is like our parrot. He likes sitting on your shoulder...such a weird cat




Twin kitties...almost...Abby on the left and Miles on the right



Miles sitting in the basket and sleeping below

They finally love each other. They snuggled together in my lap last night :)



Craftiness here I come...

I found some projects I am dying to work on once I hopefully get a sewing machine for Christmas (come on Santa!...I've been good all year)

Here are some pictures that have been making me drool over the anticipation:

make your own soap

cell phone holder

dress up the teeshirt my putting flowers

I already have the plan to make these little guys for our tree this year

This would be cool, but I would need lots of practice before tackling this one.

Biltmore

We went last week to drive some of the Blue Ridge Parkway and to see the Biltmore. All I have to say is wow...here are some pictures

There is a McDonalds in the Biltmore Village that rocks. I didn't know they could come in these models.

 This piano played music while we ate

 Awesome ceiling

 I was the crazy person taking pictures in McDonalds, but this is a place to check out again. We are planing on going back around Christmas time, so we upgraded to annual passes :)