welcome 2013!

Well, I must say, 2012 went out with a bang.  I spent a lovely birthday turning TWENTY-SIX with the love of my life in Seattle.  Sometime I can't believe how old we are all getting.  Wasn't I just 16?  Was that really ten years ago?  And the sad part is, our parents say time will only go faster every year that goes by.  Oh well, I have a feeling 2013 is going to be a wonderful year.  Living each day like it's a gift and soaking up time spent with those you love.  Gotta remember to do that!  Especially as a nurse in an ER, I am reminded of that a lot....anyway enough of the sad stuff.

Birthday was a ton of fun getting to go have adventures with Drew, who was kind enough to take my birthday off from work to spoil me :)  Here's a birthday photo:

And then of course, I did get sick, because what would the holidays be without Marta getting hit with some respiratory illness.  My mom wonders how many Christmases and Thanksgivings we both missed out on, sitting at home fighting a cold.  I was feeling better by Christmas though, and made it out to Anderson Island to see the fam.  I love that place.  I think of it with such warm, fond memories, growing up in the woods surrounded by loads of family, and that small tight knit community feel.  Then, I go back to visit and am so glad I'm just visiting :)  I know I'll never live there again, it's not that it's too secluded or boring (although I felt that way in high school), it's just that I've moved on.  Good 'ol AI will always have a piece of my heart, we are just going separate ways.  Sounds like a break up, I know!  It's SO fun bringing the dogs out though, and letting them romp around without leashes.  They think there's nothing better in the world!

Christmas Day brought work for me, which is alright, you're bound to work holidays if you work in a hospital.  Afterwards, however, the hubby and myself had about a week off together which was fantastic.  Working for a university, he gets amazing vacation time, and, being a nurse, I get long stretches off too :)  We are actually at the end of that stretch off, Drew had his first day back at work today, and I have to go back tomorrow.  It's always so sad, I'm never ready to go back to work after having several days off.  Mostly because I get used to seeing Drew every day!  I don't see him when I work because our schedules are opposite, I work nights.  It can be rough sometimes, but we've made it so far! 
Ugly sweater party at Garret and Steph's place:  (3rd annual!)

 We spent time up at a friend's cabin in the snow, and then had a New Years party at our place.  The party was a success, it was our first real party at our new house not counting our house warming party.  The hot tub was a lot of fun, I'm so glad our house came with a hot tub!  I dunno if I'll ever have a bath again...whenever I feel like a relaxing soak now, why not just get in the hot tub? 

 Taking down all the Christmas lights/decorations was pretty bittersweet.  Bitter because I'll miss those twinkly fellas on our gutters, sweet oh so sweet because that darn tree was starting to shed more than the dogs.  Pine needles EVERYWHERE.  Good riddance you dry brittle thing.  And welcome, 2013.  I'm excited for you...