New Year Resolutions - Check one off the list

We got an early start to the New Year and finished one of the goals we had for the house by putting up some long awaited curtains. While Allison's sister, Amanda, was in town, they, along with their mom, sought out and found some of the best deals in town on curtains. In a matter of one day, we had everything picked out and purchased and ready to hang. All that was left was for me to pull out the laser level and drill and figure out how to hang them. Thanks to one extra day tacked on to the holidays for Pres. Ford's funeral, I was able to check this job off the long, and ever expanding, to-do list. Here are the before and after pics. I say, Job Well Done.

2006 End-of-the-Year wrap up.

We finished off 2006 in the a cold drizzle in downtown Baltimore.
We drove up around 11pm, found a spot to park in the Fell's Point neighborhood, and brought in the new year at DuClaws Brewing Company.


We watched the fireworks, which were actually really impressive, and then grabbed a quick bite to eat before driving home. As low key as it was, it was actually really enjoyable.

We started off the day by speaking in church. Allison gave a great talk on trials and finding comfort through the Atonement, while I spoke on all the opportunities we have to start fresh spirtually, just like we do with temporal goals and new years resolutions.

It was quite the year for us as we celebrated a lot of firsts as a new family. We started last year in Florida at Disney World and ended it in the cold rain at Baltimore's inner-harbor. We made a lot of changes to our house as we cleaned out the bachelor pad and turned it into a place where any woman would feel at home. We have made many new friends, including 10 little three year olds we've had the opportunity to teach each Sunday in nursery, and look forward to making the most of 2007.

PS. An All-Points-Bulletin for everyone to be on the look out for Allison's camera and i-Pod that was stolen when someone broke into her car in late October. She's having a hard time letting go and refuses to give up hope for their safe return.

Sick of all these Birthdays

December is a busy month around here as many different family members celebrate their birthday. Our niece, Noelle Coleman, starts us off on the 19th, Allison's brother, Kevin, is on the 20th, her Dad is on the 25th, and Allison, her sister Amanda Coleman, and my Grandmother Brown, all share the 27th. We don't have pictures of each one, but they were all very exciting. We had a breakfast dinner for our niece,Noelle, after which her mom, Amanda, became ill with the stomach virus. The next evening we all had dinner at Cheesecake Factory for Kevin, after which Allison, her Dad, her brother Bryan, and nephew Lincoln became ill with the same stomach virus.
Thursday night me and her Mom caught the virus, followed by her cousin Alex a day later. We thought we were finished with the virus until the following Tuesday, Amanda's husband, who had only been in town a couple of days, fell ill too. At least Christmas day we were virus free. Monday we made homemade pizza's for her Dad's birthday, but unfortunately it was overshadowed by Christmas, which barely beats out the birthday. Wednesday, Allison and Amanda were treated to a morning at the spa and a facial, then some shopping, and finally a dinner at McLean Pizza. As you can tell, pizza is a family favorite. Thankfully after this dinner, no one got sick.

Allison and Friends make their Dream House, then eat them.

Allison had a fun time with her friends by getting into the Christmas spirit and decorating gingerbread houses over candy and cider. Lillian hosted the crew at her house and helped lay out a great spread. Everyone contributed candy and ideas, as can be seen in the final products shown here. Ashley, Lilian and Allison had a great time catching up and intend to make a habit of monthly activities.