11 January 2009

project

This is just a brief note to let y'all know of a project that I'm working on. In an effort to try to become better at photography, I'm working on something called Project 365, which involves taking one picture each day that I can share. I am posting these pictures on the picture blog that I share with Kevin and Matt. I'd love to hear any feedback...and I'm sure Kevin and Matt would love for you to check out their pictures, too!

10 January 2009

Christmas Tour 2008

Ok, team. It's time for the photoessay about this year's Christmas Tour.

It started out early, with Sarah heading down to Harvey's Lake to hang out with some friends from her home church, the Center Moreland UMC. It was great to see everyone, and it was wonderful to hear about people's adventures, both around the globe and here in the States.

Chrissy loves wings.


On Christmas Eve, we headed to Linda's for a delicious dinner with her and Doug. We opened presents and went to the late service at her church in Cortland, which was, as usual, filled with lovely music.

Doug loves tissues.


The next morning, we got up early to head to Newark Valley for Christmas breakfast. (The trip was much less eventful than last year's.)

Eric as a festive elf

Doug outdid us all in eating baked eggs, and we opened gifts and hung out and tried to determine whose wind-up toy was the awesomest.

We all got orange hats.


After that, we headed back to our home in Binghamton to pick up Amelie and some more gifts, and then it was on to Monkey Hollow Road. We ate with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and my grandmother, and then Aunt Barb and the Dawes came over. We opened gifts and spent some quality time together, which was great, especially since I hadn't seen them since we've been back from Kentucky! We spent the night at my parents', and I helped in completing the annual Christmas puzzle, while Eric helped my dad load bees to go to Florida.

Mom testing out my new camera remote control


We headed back to Binghamton on Friday, and then on Saturday we went, along with Abby and Kevin, to Richford for Reanna and Dan's delayed wedding reception. It was great to spend some time with friends that we hadn't seen in a long time....plus we're so happy for Reanna and her dear Pigpen!

Abby, Reanna, Eric: "What wedding?"


That Sunday, Christie came to spend the night with us. It was great to have some sister time. I really wish that she didn't live so far away. They should really arrange cities alphabetically--that way Baltimore and Binghamton could be closer together.

Oh, sisters.


On New Year's Eve, we went with our friend Matt to First Night Binghamton. It was incredibly cold (I think I got windburn on my face!), but it was quite enjoyable. After spending some time downtown, we headed to Mike and Mandi's for some festivities and to watch the ball drop.

Matt, Eric, Sarah


The next day was Stoughton Christmas at the Smith's home in Newark Valley. We ate some delicious food (again!), opened gifts, and visited with fun family that we don't get to see very often.

Linda and Tim in fantastic plastic wigs


So now the holidays are over, and it's back to what we call "normal."



It's amazing to me how we can go so long without seeing some people, and then we remember just how much we really like them! We are very blessed with some wonderful friends and family. Thank you all for being so awesome. We love you.

PS - If you're interested in seeing more pictures, you can visit our picture site.