Christmas 2010

Ryan and I had a great break!  We spent almost a month in Austin, and it was a much needed break.  I got to celebrate my mom's birthday, go to their ward Christmas party and another friend's party, see my grandparents and my best friend Jenny all in about four days!

We left for New Jersey to see Ryan's sisters on the 23rd and spent about a week with them.  We had a lot of fun in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and got to see a lot of family.  We did get snowed in on Ryan's birthday, which was the day after Christmas, but other than that, the weather cooperated.  I also got really sick Christmas Eve and stayed sick with a sinus infection the rest of our trip, which was no fun, but I survived.  We went to Philadelphia too and saw Independence Hall, Betsy Ross's house, the Liberty Bell, and ate authentic Philly Cheese-steaks.

The Liberty Bell

Independence Hall and scaffolding

Independence Hall & Washington's chair

Ryan and his niece Lexi

The day after being snowed in by the storm.

We came back to Texas just in time for New Year's Eve, which we spent with the Lanham/Hatch side of my family (step-mom, five step-sisters, little brother and sister, brother-in-law, two nieces).  We ate lunch at IKEA, which, by the way has delicious food! Later we had entirely too much food at my brother-in-law's mom's house, including fondue.  It was so much fun for all of us to be together!  Ryan had never really spent any time with all nine of us together before, so it was a lot of fun. And my nieces are the cutest stinking little girls ever!!!

"How Do You Roll,"a sushi bar, and "Sam Moon," a wonderful, fabulous accessory store, are my latest discoveries in Austin.  I also had my much needed stuffed avocado fix from Trudy's.  Ryan and I also got to be extras in an HEB commercial! I think the commercial will be airing for the super-bowl in Texas.

I already miss Austin and my family.  I do not want to start school on Tuesday, but it is my last semester.  I can do it!  I can't wait for Spring Break when I get to have an epic road trip with Clara, Ryan, and Blanca and go down to Florida to see our family!