I love the holiday season. I love getting together with family knowing that next year it will be us +1. It’s fun to think of all the “lasts” we are having. Our last Halloween admiring how cute everyone else’s children look. Our last flight to AZ for Thanksgiving before we are “those people” who brought their baby on board. Our last Christmas without a visit from Santa. I often daydream about my life a year from now. I will lie quietly on my bed and try with all my might to feel my baby move. Of course, it’s much too soon for that but sometimes I think maybe, just maybe, I have a Hulk baby that will sock me so hard I actually feel it this soon! I try to remember not to rush through this process, as it is a beautiful one in itself. I am just so ready to meet this bambino. I am sure once the baby is here, my life will be different than anything I have conjured up in my imagination.
Matt and I have been so busy lately. We celebrated Thanksgiving early with his family. It was wonderful and we had a great time. Thanks to the Hutchinson’s for having us!!
We flew to Arizona the day before Thanksgiving to spend the long weekend there. I always love going home. It’s the little differences that make it feel like home still. The traffic lights are all vertical. There are mountains in every direction. Seeing old places where I have memories attached. Driving on roads that all run north/south or east/west. Most of all though, is the people I love there. It’s so nice to catch up with family and friends. With the wedding, I was extra spoiled this year and got to see everyone 4 or 5 times! It’s so nice that Matt loves going back with me. For some reason I don’t understand, he likes the desert. I think it’s the geologist in him. I, however, think it is ugly as sin. If I never saw another Saguaro Cactus, I would be just fine. We did go on a nice little hike in Payson to see the Tonto Natural Bridge which we all enjoyed. Once we got under the bridge, we had a Subway picnic. How fun!
Sunday we tagged along to the Cardinals game with my dad and brother’s usual crew. Tailgating with them is always a hoot. My dad and a friend bought a short bus that they are making into a Cardinal’s Tailgating bus. Needless to say, tailgating with them is no little fiesta. My brother had gone dove hunting the day before so Matt cooked up some Dove Poppers. I chose mine without the jalapeno and ate 6 or 7 of them! Stay tuned for pictures of the bus!
We flew back to Texas on Monday. We set up our Christmas tree and a few decorations we bought. I’ve never had a fake tree so I am trying to warm up to the idea. Being the paranoid safety freak that I am, I like that it is safer than a real tree. I do miss the smell of pine in my house though, but once I find some pine candles that should do the trick! I’ve decided that when the baby comes things are going to need to be way more festive. For now though, I am happy with our understated Christmas décor.
Things don’t slow down for the Grosses in the coming weeks. This weekend we are hosting our kickball team’s Christmas party. Next week is my work party. Then Matt leaves for work for a week (so sad) and I have yet another doctor’s appointment. When Matt gets back we have his work party. Then an early Christmas with the entire Gross clan. And finally, Christmas in Arlington! Whew!
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| Before our early Thanksgiving |
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| On a rock. |
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| At the natural bridge. |
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| Dad and Julie |
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| On a big ol' rock. |
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| In front of a huge fountain in AZ. |
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| Matt and I in front of the bus. |
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| The entire tailgating crew. |
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| Matt cooking dove. |
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