THE POOL IS FREEZING

I knew that the pool would be cold during this time of year. I really found out the other day when I came home from work. The huge storm we had a few weeks back blew one of our brush bags into the pool. I found it two days later when Nick was working late. I tried to get it out with a rake and by pulling it up. BUT, since it was FULL of water, the bag kept ripping and it was too hard to lift out. So...I had to go get some shorts on an GET INTO THE FREEZING COLD POOL TO LIFT THE BAG OUT! I had to hop right into a hot shower!!!

Trans Siberian Orchestra

Nick & I finally took the time to go see TSO this Christmas and WE LOVED IT. It was a really exciting show. I'm glad that after talking about it for the past few years, we finally went!!!


Fire & firecrackers were shooting all over!

They were lifted up in the air while playing!

Rock N Roll

There were lost of lasers!

We got dressed up for the concert!

Kim's Shower & Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

Soon to be married! Jamaica 02/10

Me, Kim & Erin

Nick & I

Kim, Kathy, Me, Brian, Heather, & Erin

Kim & Billy leaving the hotel for dinner.

We surprised Kim & Billy with decorations and gifts!

Penny, Kim, Me, Sarah, Kathy, & Erin at Kim's Shower

My "Black Friday" Excitement

Nick & I did most of our Christmas shopping during the WEE hours of the morning on Black Friday. This Christmas we were very on top of our shopping and decorating!!! Lucky for me, in addition to getting our gifts purchased, I also got two unexpected surprises!

My Starbucks cup! They cost upwards of $75 on e-bay, but this one was just sitting at the Target Starbucks for a mere $13!

My $10 label maker! Although it tok 8 AAA batteries, I did save $30 on it :0)

Christmas Decorations 2009

Our House!

Our Garage

Nick put up the lights! Our entry way.

Our Tree

UM vs OSU Game & Thanksgiving 2009

Traditional puzzle

The men on dish duty

Cutting our anniversary cake~Mom made us do this!

Better late than never! Our one year anniversary wedding cake made fresh by Analise! No top tier in the freezer here!

The dinner table minus the photographer

Nick carving the turkey

Bob & Colleen at Thanksgiving Dinner

Walking with the band to the stadium was so cool!

Last BOX Tailgate

Happy Birthday Steve! Go Blue!

Newest House Repair...

I am so proud of my husband! He is not usually the champion of anything that has to do with being handy. After my meltdown yesterday about our disposal leaking all over again, he replaced it perfectly today!!! He went to Home Depot at 6am, while I was still sleeping, and purchsed a new garbage disposal. By the time I woke up at 8am, he the whole thing almost completely installed! It works perfectly and there are no leaks! He is awesome.

Fall 2009~October 10 & 11

10/11/86~HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY BROTHER

Erin, Kim, & I

Erin, Kim, & I ran the Breast Cancer 5K on 10/11/09. These are the people we ran for. I ran for my Grandma Middleton who just finished up her breast cancer treatment.

Nick icing his ankle

Nick sprained his ankle! How did he do that you might ask... Well, he decided to wake up really early on Saturday morning. He went out for a walk and listen to his podcast because he was too full to run. Well, walking is too boring for Nick. So, he decided to sprint and then walk and repeat. Apparantly a young child stepped out from behind an SUV and Nick had to make a quick stop. And this is why you sleep in on Saturday morning like normal people! :0)

More Michigan vs Notre Dame Pics!

The Girard Men~Steve, Nick, & Al. This was taken right before Al got sick. We hope you feel better soon brother!!!

Tom & Leslie

Another shot of the BOX house...this was before it got too crowded.

Steve & Nick

Nick, Leslie, & I

Steve sent me his pictures from the michigan vs Notre dame Tailgate! Here are a few...

Michigan vs Michigan State

Nick is not feeling so great today either :(

I don't know what I did at the gym this week, but my foot feels like it did when I was training for the marathon last year. It was miserable. I hope I don't have to wear this again!

Michigan vs Notre Dame~September 2009

Al was happy after the game

Final scoreboard

After the touchdown

The student section

The band

The boys are back in town...and at the BOX

We went to see the team head into the locker room! Here's the tunnel.

Europe~Day 11

There are no photos from day 11. We were so tired and we traveled all day. We had an AMAZING trip, but were glad to get back home.

Europe~Ireland~Day 10

We walked back to the hotel along the river

At Jameson

I am now an official Jameson Irish Whiskey taste tester!

Our tour guide

Nick at the Jameson Distillery

Jameson Distillery

We ate lunch in one of the bars and they had a traditional Irish music band

The Guinness Harp

Look how many pints this holds! Nick is up a set of stairs and this is on the ground!

Nick tasting some of the barley

Ingredient #5 Arthur Guinness and his original recipe

Ingredient #4 Water~they have a huge indoor waterfall

Ingredient #3 Yeast

Ingredient #2 Hops

Ingredient #1 Barley

These are all of the various Guinness bottles from over the years

This is the original contract for the brewery~its 250 years old this year!

We are finally here!

St. James Gate

Artistic masks on the walk to the Guinness Storehouse

Flowers on the walk to the Guinness Storehouse

Isn't it nice that they help you out with which way to look since the cars are driving on the "wrong" side of the road?!?!