new year = new look for the blog

i am trying to get back into the groove of some quick blogs and updates in our lives for 2010 - the craziness of decemeber wasn't too forgiving on the home front for stories and posts ...

we had an AMAZING first christmas as a mr. and mrs., with many great meals and memories with family and friends over the days surrounding christmas. since we didn't travel down to evansville (though we missed seeing you uncle steve and aunt teresa!) i feel like we were able to get a lot in this year.

christmas eve day we had a lasagna lunch at my moms and that evening we went to christmas eve service at church, followed by a fancy-pants dinner for the two of us, made by yours truly - beef tenderloin with tarragon, thyme potatoes au gratin, rolls and green been casserole (a back-up in case the first two items were a bust). i have to say, the recipes i pulled from a few magazines really pulled through - they were great and are on the books for a tradition in the years to come!

christmas morning we went to my moms to open gifts and have a yummy christmas brunch (my sister even made homemade cinnamon rolls from the pioneer woman!). we started a new tradition with some friends for christmas evening - two other couples came over to our house for some chinese, wine and a movie. i can't tell you how much we genuinely love and appreciate their company and friendship - i look forward to continuing this tradition in the coming years!

the day after christmas we spent with brandts family and i must say, one of the biggest entertainments this year is watching everyone in the family playing mario brothers on the Wii...

this year we were blessed to get so many great gifts in addition to quality time with loved ones. my mom is so good at finding unique gifts...to name a few, i got some outdoor entertaining items for summer cookouts and an antique wine opener and silver bowl (which needs to be polished but actually looks great "as is"). brandt and his parents schemed and gave me the new digital SLR i am sure you ALL are tired of getting hints on!

so for the new year, no more iphone photos! (unless necessary of course!)

up next: photos from our NYC venture on new years! stay tuned...