SantaPaws

Look who was at Petsmart when we went to get Gia's nails trimmed today!

Merry Everything!

10 reasons why we are happy it's almost Christmas-

10. A month break from grad school
It is also worth mentioning that I finished the semester with a 4.0, which I don't think matters that much, but I worked hard for it so I have to brag just a little bit. Also, I am 1/2 way to my masters!

9. Over a week break from work
We will be using, not losing, our paid time off.

8. Christmas tree
We bought and decorated a tree despite the fact that we won't be home much over Christmas. It's gorgeous!

7. Christmas cookies
We attempted to make Christmas cookies last night but encountered a few hiccups. First, we forgot to let the dough sit in the refrigerator for an hour. Second, we didn't know there was a difference between parchment and wax paper so the first batch of cookies were ruined. A quick phone call to mom confirmed we could not bake wax paper. Sorry but I was never taught how to bake! In the end, we were able to fill three Christmas tins with raspberry pinwheels which are awesome. Hopefully not related, I woke up on the middle of the night with the stomach flu that is going around. Either that or too much cookie dough!

6. Christmas shopping
I live for this, Drew does not.

5. Eggnog
Drew lives for this, I do not.

4. New York City
Mary, Mrs. Malerich, Mom and I took a day trip to NYC last Friday to tour the Met and a goth exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It was a fabulous day. Drew and I are going to NYC again on Jan. 2 to hang out before my cousin's Jan. 3 wedding.

3. Weddings!
Meg and Steve are getting married on Jan.3 in NJ and we can't wait. Family weddings require a lot of stretching and stamina in order to keep up with my dad and uncle's dancing. Drew and I have been practicing by swimming laps, tai chi, and sprints each morning. Just kidding! In all seriousness though, I am pretty obsessed with the dress I bought for the wedding and that makes me super happy.

2. Food!
Our mom's Christmas cookin'- enough said!

1. Family and Friends
Drew and I are going to see our entire family this holiday season which is a great joy and accomplishment considering how big they are! First we are spending Christmas Eve and day in Alexandria with my family, grandma and aunt. Then we are heading to Harrisburg, PA to spend the day with the Lenzi side of the family. Off to the Northern Neck we go after that to celebrate the holidays with Mom and Dad C, and the Norris and Christopher side of the family. Last, we are heading to NJ, right outside of NYC, for Meg and Steve's wedding with the whole Mascelli side. We are so blessed we get to see everyone!

Merry Everything and Happy Always to Everyone.

Pics of NYC and the Findley's Tacky Christmas Party.

Finals Week

Our apologies for not blogging this past month or so but we promise to get back on track as soon as final are over (Saturday!). We have lots to write about, including a wonderful Thanksgiving in the Northern Neck. In the meantime, check out the following pics-

Cousin Meg's wedding shower at Bloomingdales-http://picasaweb.google.com/amandachristopher1/MegSBloomingdalesWeddingShower#

and

Thanksgiving-
http://picasaweb.google.com/amandachristopher1/Thanksgiving2008#

Check back next week!

Amanda and Drew

Yes We Did!

Drew and I are so proud of our country for electing Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States. To us, Obama's election signifies that the responsibility of the world's future has transitioned from our parent's generation to ours. And on a personal note, Michelle Obama is extremely inspiring to me. I think she is going to be an amazing role model for the world's young women.

Here are some pics from the rally I attended in October- http://media.gatewayva.com/photos/rtd/slideshows/20081023rally/index.html

And two videos I love-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yq0tMYPDJQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSJsEVf0pU

God Bless the United State of America!

The Christophers

Under Construction

We are currently under construction as we redo our downstairs bathroom. It all started a few weeks ago when I noticed that some of the hideous pastel wallpaper was curling up off of the wall. I decided to tug it a bit and 15 minutes later I had pulled off all of the wall paper in the bathroom. Drew arrived home from work just as the last piece was coming off, laughed at what I had done, and decided to join in by taking the vanity, sink and mirror out as well. That was 3 weeks ago. Today we were finally motivated enough to go buy everything we needed for a new bathroom. Hopefully we'll like how it turns out. Honestly though, anything is an improvement from what it was before. We wanted to do a pedestal sink but the piping was too much of an eye sore so we have to cover it up. The finished product will hopefully be featured on the blog soon. Until then, have a great week!

2 years and counting!

Today marks our 2 year anniversary! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. We count our blessings and can't wait to see what the future has in store for us. We have been celebrating our anniversary for a couple weeks now. Here is what that has involved- dinner at our new favorite Richmond restaurant, Edo's squid, (and only good Italian food we have found here yet), a beautiful pearl and crystal necklace, earrings and bracelet from Drew that appeared on the kitchen table one morning while we were cooking breakfast, a trip to the sporting goods store and subsequent purchase of a new 3-wood club for Drew (my treat) which is his nicest club to date and will allow him to hit between 220 yards and 250 yards, beautiful flowers that arrived today, and another evening/dinner out tonight on main street in Ashland.



In other exciting events, Drew, Dad C and Ryan, spent this past weekend off shore fishing in Virginia Beach. They caught lots of delicious fish by fishing 60 miles off shore in 3,000 feet of water. It them 4 hours to get to the fishing spot and 4 hours to get back. It was a 4 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. kinda day. Drew said they had a great time and the water was beautiful, especially the farther you got from shore. They even saw dolphins! Drew took some great pictures of the sunset, I just have to remind him to get some people shots next time. Enjoy!

Blast from the Past

I was cleaning off my computer the other day and came across some pictures I thought I had misplaced. Most of these are from 3-4 years ago. Enjoy!

Christmas 2005, Drew's new shades


Aunt Darlene, demonstrating the enormity of the lamps in Grandma's house.


Easter 2006, Grandma, Drew and I


Vegas, March 2006

Thanksgiving 2005

Christmas 2005, mom and dad

Christmas 2005, cousins

Pugsy 2005

NYC PR Week Awards, 2006

Engagement Party, 2006

Los Angeles, March 2006

Wedding Shower, June 2006

Sandpiper, 2006

Thanksgiving 2005

June 2006 (the day Amanda was banned from wearing the bright green bathing suit again until getting tan)

Thanksgiving 2005

Evan, our ringbearer, June 2006.

My shower at Indian Creek

Shower at Mount Vernon

Morgan trying on her flower girl dress at Priscilla of Boston

Mailee's baptism, 2006

Out in Arlington, winter 2005

Lindsey and Tripps wedding at The Homestead, August 2006

The Homestead