MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas on Singapore Air

Dad in his blizzard boots

Matt on bass playing rock band

Lainey in her birthday outfit

Since we have been back State-side we have been on the go, go, go.....literally. We had a wonderful Christmas with my Dad's extended family the day after we flew into Tulsa(thanks Mom & Dad for taking us to dinner the night we got in town). It was great to see aunts, uncles, and crazy little cousins!! And it felt so good to be home. I have to admit, it was slightly stressful trying to do last minute scrambles for presents and wrapping, but we made it :)

We have had a wonderful Christmas with both our families. Made it to OKC just at the start of the blizzard and in time to enjoy a nice fire Mom had started. Good thing too, since we were in OKC for a couple days. Being snowed in wasnt the greatest for some people, but I really enjoyed the down time. Bryan & Hallie were unable to make it this year, but cant say they didnt try......they made it to Chicago and got stuck but luckily got a flight back to NYC & enjoyed staying warm there & sent silly Christmas photos for us to enjoy.

We made it back to Tulsa to see some of the Dill family ie: aunts, uncles, cousins, his grandparents, etc....What a crazy bunch. Definitely a big family & lots and lots of very active little ones :) Everyone was so excited to see Matt home for good.

This week we bought our first car together! Matt does such an awesome job at everything, he really is the smartest person I know. We are so lucky to have each other!

Amidst all the chaos of running around & trying to be 20 places at once for Christmas, and all that goes along with it, in reflection we are so thankful for our families & love them so much. We feel so blessed to be safe & warm over the holidays & beyond.

We are especially thankful for each other and our super excited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary!

ONE WEEK TO GO!

A few pictures of what are apt is currently looking like. Suitcases packed, stacks here and there, etc... Movers are scheduled to come tomorrow. I have been spending almost every day this week working on our air shipment as well as our personal suitcases coming along with us to the hotel & beyond. Lots to do. Lots of little stuff. Ugh...the little stuff gets to me....and I tend to just toss it. Last night was our very last time to spend the night in the apt...kind of weird. But we are getting more excited to come home by the day (and Matt is getting more excited for vacation by the day).

Thats all for now....still got a few things to finish up. I have some errands to run this morning, Matt is working half a day, then we'll meet up in the city & come back here to finish working on stuff together & eventually check into our hotel sometime.

Prayers for a smooth move & flights back home are always appreciated.

Until next time-probably not until we are back in the States, so take care!

MAKE A LIST OR FLY BY THE SEAT OF MY PANYS?

Frustrated!!! I had totally written an awesome blog & something happened & it deleted. Gawsh! Thats so frustrating. Really made me mad, I had worked so hard. So I will now wrap it up in a summary for you cause I cant remember everything I wrote.
We had an awesome weekend as usual. We kicked it off the New Harbour's Friday special of fish n chips...which are really awesome. Tastes so good. We had a relaxing but productive weekend. Got lots of stuff packed, moved into piles, planned, etc....
Lots to get done still. This is Matt's last official week of work. Woo-hoo. I myself have some last minute shopping to do. As well as finish packing, pulling things together, packing things to give away, etc.....walk the dog, wash the car, feed the hogs...ha!!
Lost of stuff here decorated & ready for Christmas. Some people may not like it for many reasons, but I can say it definitely puts me in the holiday spirit & I get more anxious every day to finally be home for the holidays. I think the spirit & cheer is definitely something everyone could use!

More to come later....hopefully this week and next will be blessed by God for a smooth transition, move and flights back home!!

OUR LAST FRIDAY

Today is a bittersweet day. It's our last Friday for a few things.

1. Last Friday to meet Matt for our annual lunch date. I have been doing this every Friday since I moved over here with him. So much fun getting to see him middle of the day. Always makes the weekend come faster.

2. Last Friday to live in our apt. How weird is that? Thursday night we move into a hotel. Friday the movers will be here and we will be living in a hotel for a week before coming home.

3. My last Friday to take the train out east...anywhere. Until we leave I wont be going back that way. Kind of strange.

So....lots to do this weekend and next week. We officially move out of our apt on Thursday (omg, I'm so not prepared in anyway). On Friday the movers come. Then Monday & Tuesday of the following week, we have cleaning services as well as some ac maintenance being done.

We have 2 shipments going back home, 1 air and 1 sea. So need to get those stacks sort of separated as well as any last minute gifts bought, preparing what we are carrying in suitcases, etc....Hope we dont leave anything behind!! Wish us luck!

SO LITTLE TIME....

Since Ryan has been here we have been super busy! You wouldnt believe, so I will catalog our events for you:
1. Thursday:
Picked Ryan up from the airport 3:45am
Went to the grocery several hours later to buy the last of Thanksgiving goodies and cooked Thanksgiving all morning while Ryan played online jet-lagged.
Matt came home from work & we had an afternoon of football & Thanksgiving treats (minus the stuffing because I forgot it). Then we headed to Morton's for mini fillet mignon steak sandwiches....delicious :)
Then to a restaurant called Shin...something. When we were seated at our table our waiter immediately asked "Would you like something or nothing"? We were very confused & delirious from lack of sleep, so we all burst out laughing & made jokes regarding it the rest of the night.
2. Friday:
Matt has holiday today.
Went and took Ryan on a tour of the CBD, Quays and the Civic District. He was really impressed with the city. It was super hot too. I was smart and put on sun screen, unfortunately I cannot say the same for the other 2.
Came home, took naps, watched sports on tv and then headed out to Lau Pa Sat for dinner & freaking our guest out :) So much fun!
3. Saturday:
Chinatown and Maxwell food court. Had fun at the Buddha temple just down the street. Had fun in the sun again, man has it been crazy hot here!!
The clouds were not in our favor so we came home, the boys went down to the pool and I napped. Yeah, they went to the pool in the rain. Boys will be boys.
Saturday night we headed out to Holland Village and introduced Ryan to Singapore style Mexican food. It was crazy because the place we originally go was closed (a repeat of Thursday night) so we just went next door, which was equally good.
Then we came back down to our part of town and had a nice glass of wine on a great night at Universal. I love me some Aussie wine!!
4. Sunday:
Pump Room brunch, Orchard Road, Christmas decorations, etc.... It was busy, and fun. Ryan walked around in his rhinestone shirt and cowboy boots....definitely a sight to see in Singapore :)
Dinner was the buffet at the Straits Kitchen.....a buffet of all asian foods local and regional. It was amazing!
5. Monday:
Back to work for Mr Matt.....boo.
Matt took Ryan to the old war forts at Sentosa & I stayed home & enjoyed the pace and quiet! And cleaned & did laundry etc....
But I made Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch and we celebrated our 11 monthery with Ryan at Pasta Brava....the best Italian ever!!
Happy 11th month Matt!! It's just everything! I love you :)
6. Tuesday:
Waited for Matt to come home. Then we went to Vivo & sat outside near the water & enjoyed Brotzeit german food. It was an awesome afternoon of just hanging out.
We came home, chilled out and then headed to Swisshotel's New Asia Bar on the 70th floor. There were so many awesome views....it was amazing.
Chijmes was our choice for dinner at Esmirada and it tasted delicious. Rained a little bit but luckily we were well covered.
7. Today:
Killin time before we head out to meet Matt near his work for lunch. Not sure what the rest of the day holds for us, but there is always an adventure to be had!
Tonight we'll do JUMBO for dinner and my mouth is already watering. Cant be out too late though, as Ryan leaves EARLY in the morning & Matt has his usual phone call back to Tulsa for work.

Thats about all. Looking forward to a quiet weekend working on moving & all that goes along with it. Not too long before we are moved out of this apartment.....a little over a week, in fact.
There is so much to do with the weekend kicking everything off....as I look at my calendar I realize we went settle back down until after our anniversary. Ahhh...gettin' ready to head home for the holidays!!