Goodbye, 2012...Hello, 2013

Hello, All. I hope you've all been well these past few weeks. It's been a crazy time, for sure. Be prepared for wordiness and pictures, galore.

And ... here... we ... go...

We finally finished all of the holiday gift wrap at work. We overshot our goal of $1,000 for Youth Programs. I love my job and the work we're doing for Eastern Massachusetts Youth.

 Brooklynn meeting Santa for the first time...how cute!

I just got home from a lovely 2 week vacay in Florida for Christmas and New Years. What a great trip. I didn't get to see everyone but it was a great time, for sure.

 Look who surprised GiGi at the airport! I was so happy. Wendy was supposed to pick me up but instead she showed up with Tyler, Rachael and Brooklynn. Yay! We had a lovely family lunch at Hooters before heading back to Dade City.

Mom and Dad went all out for Church Street Christmas. We had a great time at the party. Food was great and it was awesome seeing everyone. 

We stayed in the garage apartment. Dad had it cleaned up before I got there. He missed a great opportunity to fake brag on himself, though. I mentioned that I thought it was sweet that he and mom put up a beautiful tree for Daniel and I to enjoy for our first Christmas together. Turns out that Ava had just left hers up all year long from 2011 Christmas. LOL. Works for me. For the record: I totally didn't steal any of her cool ornaments.

One of the greater highlights of my visit was seeing Momma Lee. She seems to be doing really well, considered. She was starting to get a "bug" that was going around, though. Hopefully she gets over that soon. 

Daniel got to Florida just in time for Christmas. We all headed down to Sarasota for dinner at Raison and Lou's house. It was a wonderful dinner with family. I love getting to see The M&M Boys. They are getting so grown up.

Lee genes rock. Those are some gorgeous ladies right there!

And, yeah...that happened. LOL. Yay, me! Daniel did a great job picking that out, right? Love it. He's pretty awesome.

Bye, Darla. You were a great car! I'm vehicle-less now in Boston...for the better. I take MBTA (bus and train) pretty much everywhere. I'll be getting a ZipCar account for times I truly need a vehicle. My roommate has an SUV so I have that option, too. Big city living is real, yo! LOL.

New Years Eve I cooked for Wendy, Chad, Daniel and myself.  Cranberry Walnut Rice with Apple & Sweet Onion Pork Tenderloin. MMM. Bacon crisps were the appetizer. Sangria, also.

Tyler & Rachael came by with baby Brooklynn. She's so sweet. GiGi adores her for sure.

 

 Overall I had a great time visiting. I remember why I left but also what I love about Dade City. Good visit. Glad to be home, though.

This is what my walk home looked like. SNOW! It's frigid here right now...in the teens but sunny/cloudy (not snowing). Maybe more snow Friday. We'll see. Meteorologists are horrible at their jobs.

Random thoughts:

Watching Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin on New Year's Eve made me realize...they are hilarious but Honey Boo Boo and Dance Moms are the start of the decline of civilization.

Leila and Mick Exel are awesome. JetBlue is the best airline for so many reasons but not least of all... I got to watch Sleepless in Seattle and a Law & Order SVU marathon on the way home.

The parent on the plane with 2 kids is wonderful. The 8 year old next to me was pleasant and polite. We bonded over Sponge Bob Square Pants.

I'm sure I'm missing so much of what happened. I may post more pics on my Google + account so stay tuned for that. 

The next couple of weeks will be filled with Youth Advisory Board "Winter Dance" preparation. Be prepared for that info overload. 

Work tomorrow...gotta sleep. Everyone have a great week.

Much love, Jini