Long Past Due!

Apologies for this update being about a month late! I wanted to post some Christmas/New Years pics, but I have to do it on Brandon's PC b/c I'm still not smart enough to figure out what is wrong with our Mac!

We started our three week Christmas break here in Memphis, and went to the zoo to see some lights. It was complete with "snow" falling down as we walked in. Maddie even got up close to some animals!

Then we headed to PA to see Brandon's family. Maddie tore into the presents as soon as she saw them!

Then we were off to Iowa for Christmas with my family, and then the whole Hein clan (24 in all this year I think!) Maddie was a great helper with all the presents. I also took a picture of the lovely wrapping paper that Brandon and I had to wrap our presents in because somebody (Rebecca!) took all the other wrapping paper in the house! Guess what decade the paper is from!

And we can't forget the Turducken! Brandon has been talking about them for years, so this year my parents actually got one! It was pretty good, although it probably would have been better if it had been completely cooked through!

Next stop North Carolina for an awesome New Year!

Back in Memphis

Well our travels have ended for now.  It was a whirlwind of a vacation, but it was much needed. It was so good to be around all our family and friends.  It's always tough coming back for me, because that means it's back to being home all by myself with Maddie.  It's especially tough now, after the burglary because I hate being in this house.  It was so nice to be away and be able to sleep and not be constantly anxious and paranoid.  

But, hopefully a few trips will be able to break up the boredom.  In February I plan on going to Haiti for a short trip with Hopegivers.  We will be hanging out with the orphans and painting some buildings.  If you want to know more about the trip, or would like to help financially support the trip, please let me know!  

March will bring a spring break girl trip to the Bahamas which I have been looking forward to since last March!  And I guess in April I'll have to try to make it back to Raleigh.  Then in just a few short months we'll be in Iowa for the summer.  I'm hoping 2009 goes very fast, because I am anxious to move back to NC and for Brandon to be done with school so we can finally settle down! 

I hope you all  had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!