Our 2011 in Pictures

I have been wanting to do this post for a few days now but was obviously preoccupied. Now that I have everything mostly unpacked (except decor), I'm finally getting to it! :)

So, here is our year in review...

{January}

Sammy experiences his first real snowfall. 

After I took this picture, he started to eat the snow falling to the ground. haha

Our 2nd Annual Girls Weekend.

This group of friends and I have made a visit to one of our friends who now lives in Tennessee. 

Throwing one of my best friend's Bridal Shower.

We are super fabulous. haha

{February}

Our first blizzard that year.

The picture was taken at one of the calmer moments when you could actually see outside. haha

Thankfully the power didn't fully go out though.

{March}

My best friend's Bachelorette.

We went to her college town to kick it off at their annual Fake Patty's Day.

Then we went back to the city to continue celebrating.

Her wedding. :)

{April}

Our first major hailstorm.

This was a first for me in all senses, I have never seen it this big before. Sammy was barking because of the way they were ricocheting off the walls outside, it was so loud.

Another friend of mine's Bachelorette party.

{May}

Her wedding. :)

{June}

Free concert by The Band Perry at P&L.

There's a district in downtown KC that throws free concerts in the summer. 

{July}

My cousin's wedding.

Ryan's band performance.

{August}

We decide to build a house after a couple months of house hunting.

Night out with friends.

{September}

Taylor Swift concert.

Seriously, if you enjoy her music at all, go see her in concert. It's one of the best ones I've been to.

{October}

Husband and I celebrate our 1st Anniversary. :)

What I came home to that day...

Visiting one of my best friends in Tennessee.

It was also her son's birthday weekend, he turned 4! 

In downtown Nashville.

Volunteering for Extreme Home Makeover in Joplin.

One of the best experiences in my life. I can't believe that when this will air, it'll be their last seasonal episode. :(

{November}

Seeing the Breaking Dawn premiere at 8pm. 

{December}

My best friend from Tennessee comes to visit.

Ryan and I go to The Fray concert for my Birthday present. :)

While it may seem like it in the many pictures you saw, I was actually horrible at taking pictures this year. I missed so many fun moments of getting pictures taken that I'm still in disbelief in myself (ex: our Anniversary - ugh!). I used to take SO many pictures. That is definitely one of my New Year's Resolutions, to take more pictures.

And I purposely didn't add Christmas or House pictures. That's for another post. ;)

Hope you all have a safe and wonderful New Year! 

Love to you.

Kristen

I'm Still Here!

As you can imagine, it's been quite a busy week. 

We celebrated Christmas with family.

Celebrated my Birthday (25!) on Monday.

Then we closed on Tuesday yesterday. Big surprise right?

They let us move stuff before then though, thankfully.

So on Tuesday we got our fridge moved in and went blinds shopping on Tuesday.

Wednesday we loaded and moved everything and surprisingly, were able to do it all on one trip.

I didn't realize how much crap we had. lol

So since then, as you can imagine, it's been quite busy getting everything put away.

And actually, I'm about half done. The kitchen was the biggest hurdle and that's over with. All downhill from here!

You may not agree with me in this, but I actually really enjoy unpacking (new) things and figuring it out where it'll all go. Packing is what I loathe.

I hope to get a post in tomorrow, but we'll see. I plan on doing Christmas and Birthday updates, as well as some favorite moments, posts, etc. from this joyous year we've had. 

Oh, and a house update which I'm sure you're dying to see. :)

Until then, I hope you've had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and that you have a safe and Happy New Year if I don't post tomorrow. 

Love to you.

Kristen

Past Christmases

Ryan and I have spent the past 5 Christmases together, and now we're on to celebrating our 6th! 

I can not believe it's been that many...time flies! 

Here's a look at our past Christmases....

{2006}

At Crown Center in KC

You wouldn't believe it, but this is our first picture together. And we had been dating 3 months. 

{2007}

Our first Home-made Gingerbread House.

{2008}

At a Christmas party with friends - it was a costume themed party.

Ryan was a tree and I was the angel. 

{2009}

Last Christmas as a un-married couple. ;)

{2010}

With the in-law family :)

I probably won't post for the next week or so with Christmas weekend, my Birthday on Monday, and moving on Tuesday. :)

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your loved ones.

And most importantly, do not forget the real reason for this time of the year...

Love to you.

Kristen

Christmas Sweets

With Christmas rapidly approaching (can not believe it's a few days away!), I thought I would make a post with the treats I am making for Christmas. I've made a couple already, but plan on making the rest today and tomorrow.

All recipes can be found under the picture.

Here are the ones I've already made....

(hence the non-professional picture haha)

{Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie}

I'll be honest, they are a bit of a pain to make.

But they are so worth it.

Via.

{Peppermint Christmas Cookies}

So yummy! Though I will say, I did not add the peppermint extract and am not missing it. I also sprinkled the tops with a bit of sugar which added a nice touch.

Via.

{Rolo Pretzels and Christmas Pretzels}

I've made the ones with M&M's for the past several years but the ones with Rolos are a first. Both are very yummy and easy to make. :)
The recipe under the picture is for the Rolos but it's the same thing for the Christmas pretzels.
I find it easier to unwrap the candy before I start since it can take a while. I also put the M&M's and the pecans in a separate bowl so it'll be faster to put them on after you take them out of the oven.
I also refrigerate them to harden the chocolate faster.

Via.

And here is what I have yet to make, but I'm sure will be very good!

{Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies}

Via.

{Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites}

Via.

{Grinch Cookies}

Via.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas! :)

Love to you.

Kristen

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's time to link up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday! :)

I'm loving that I passed Organic Chemistry and am definitely on track for graduating in May. :)

Seriously such a relief when I found out last week. When I found out, I finally felt like I could relax and enjoy my break.

Via.

I'm loving that Ryan and I had a wonderful time at The Fray concert. 

Such an amazing concert and the best birthday present he could ever give me!

I'm loving that my Birthday is on Monday!

I turn the big 25! Although it really doesn't feel like it.

This is from when I turned 21. Now that feels like forever ago...

I'm loving that our house is so close to being done.

We get to move in next week! YAY!!!!

I'm loving my pins from Pinterest.

Love this!

Via.

Spicy Chicken Rigatoni - yum!

Via.

Via.

Of course, I am also loving that Christmas is just a mere few days away! :)

Love to you.

Kristen

The Fray!

Sunday night Ryan took me to see The Fray in concert for my Birthday. 

They are by far, my most favorite band so I was SO excited to see them in concert.

When we got to downtown KC, it was really crowded due to a couple other events going on downtown. We drove around for probably 15 minutes trying to find a parking spot and we come to a parking garage and realize, we forgot to bring cash! 

So, we had to park a few blocks away in free parking.

That was fun.

Thankfully though it wasn't too cold out.

They had the concert in the beautiful Midland Theatre.

Via.

They had a couple bands play before them, and it was the longest hour and a half of my life.

But finally, they started playing.

The lead singer, Isaac popped out of nowhere in the middle of the crowd when they started. 

It was awesome. haha

They played some favorites as well as a new song on their CD that's coming out next year (other than Heartbeat).

Ryan and I at the end of the concert.

It was an amazing concert, it went by way too fast, and they did a beautiful job.

I definitely want to see them again.

Best.Birthday.Present.Ever.

Love to you.

Kristen