Our Christmas Movie

If you haven't already, go see it now! Since we were burning up I-65 for the pre- and post- Christmas holidays, we celebrated "our" Christmas on the 22nd. I awoke to a cup of coffee at my bedside and Christmas music playing. Patrick and I ate breakfast and opened our presents for each other and, of course, for Maggie Moo. Then we had "Christmas Lunch" with Clay and Lori before we went to our Christmas Movie--a tradition of ours. We saw We Are Marshall. It is a must-see. I do love almost all sports movies, but this movie is about so much more than football--the healing of an entire community and the way both the disaster and healing process affected its individuals. It really touched both me and Patrick, and we love the Matthews in this movie! I would recommend it to any movie-goer.

If you haven't already, go see it now! Since we were burning up I-65 for the pre- and post- Christmas holidays, we celebrated "our" Christmas on the 22nd. I awoke to a cup of coffee at my bedside and Christmas music playing. Patrick and I ate breakfast and opened our presents for each other and, of course, for Maggie Moo. Then we had "Christmas Lunch" with Clay and Lori before we went to our Christmas Movie--a tradition of ours. We saw We Are Marshall. It is a must-see. I do love almost all sports movies, but this movie is about so much more than football--the healing of an entire community and the way both the disaster and healing process affected its individuals. It really touched both me and Patrick, and we love the Matthews in this movie! I would recommend it to any movie-goer.

Christmas is for kids!

Patrick and I are back from a whirlwind visit with both of our families. We feel very blessed, and we had such wonderful times in Decatur and Brentwood. It is always too short, and we are always very sad to go. One of my favorite things about being married is that I inherited the role and title of "aunt." Haley Beth is so special to me. She was the flower girl in our wedding, and she has been a highlight of both of my Christmases in the Crawford family!

Each year we go on the quest to find her the "perfect" gift. It's almost become a competition--in a funny, non-competitive, laughable way. In competitive terms, however, Patrick and I are 2 for 2! Last year, we scored by giving her a Disney princess couch that folds out in a pallette/bed. Everything happens in her couch. This year we gave her the movie, Cars, which she opened and immediately shouted with glee, "Look! It's 'Mater and the Race Cars!!!" I love it! I am definitely the "weak link" in the family as I cannot tell her "no" because she is so precious and fun, and so she is always "Kristy, this and Kristy, that," knowing that I will succumb to her every desire. We played baby dolls, read the same story 5 times, walked Maggie, jumped over cracks, and laughed and sang. Like I said, I love it! Christmas is definitely for kids, and it brings us such joy to celebrate with her.

Patrick and I are back from a whirlwind visit with both of our families. We feel very blessed, and we had such wonderful times in Decatur and Brentwood. It is always too short, and we are always very sad to go. One of my favorite things about being married is that I inherited the role and title of "aunt." Haley Beth is so special to me. She was the flower girl in our wedding, and she has been a highlight of both of my Christmases in the Crawford family!

Each year we go on the quest to find her the "perfect" gift. It's almost become a competition--in a funny, non-competitive, laughable way. In competitive terms, however, Patrick and I are 2 for 2! Last year, we scored by giving her a Disney princess couch that folds out in a pallette/bed. Everything happens in her couch. This year we gave her the movie, Cars, which she opened and immediately shouted with glee, "Look! It's 'Mater and the Race Cars!!!" I love it! I am definitely the "weak link" in the family as I cannot tell her "no" because she is so precious and fun, and so she is always "Kristy, this and Kristy, that," knowing that I will succumb to her every desire. We played baby dolls, read the same story 5 times, walked Maggie, jumped over cracks, and laughed and sang. Like I said, I love it! Christmas is definitely for kids, and it brings us such joy to celebrate with her.

From our house to yours...

Merry Christmas! Love, the Crawfords

Merry Christmas! Love, the Crawfords

Saying good-bye to an old friend...

Well, for those of you who are dear friends of mine, you know the special relationship I have had with my dear old accord. 9 and 1/2 years of riding around, road trips to the beach and college football stadiums, many trips from Auburn to Nashville to Auburn, a summer in Charleston, drive-bys, fender benders, all out swipe outs, tickets, cruises, Sunday drives around University in Auburn... I took that '95 accord 190,000 miles. The time has flown by, and it has been too short. On Sunday, I had my last drive with her before thick gray matter began pouring out of every available vessel. Her prognosis at the Honda shop was not good, and we prematurely said our good-byes. I'm not going to lie--I bawled like a baby as I cleaned everything out...

But then we moved on. Thankfully the honda place gave us an extremely fair trade-in price. After much deliberation, checking out every used car lot in Montgomery, test-driving several used accords, we went with this new civic:

Merry Christmas, Kristy!

Reasons why I love it: GREAT gas mileage; always wanted a car this color; the reliabilty of and my loyalty to hondas; it is the first car that Patrick and I have ever bought. Dad said we did good!

P.S. Disclaimer: Picture above is not my actual old car. I couldn't find one at the moment, but it is the year, make, and model--minus the spoiler. Notice the auburn sticker, anyone? :)

Well, for those of you who are dear friends of mine, you know the special relationship I have had with my dear old accord. 9 and 1/2 years of riding around, road trips to the beach and college football stadiums, many trips from Auburn to Nashville to Auburn, a summer in Charleston, drive-bys, fender benders, all out swipe outs, tickets, cruises, Sunday drives around University in Auburn... I took that '95 accord 190,000 miles. The time has flown by, and it has been too short. On Sunday, I had my last drive with her before thick gray matter began pouring out of every available vessel. Her prognosis at the Honda shop was not good, and we prematurely said our good-byes. I'm not going to lie--I bawled like a baby as I cleaned everything out...

But then we moved on. Thankfully the honda place gave us an extremely fair trade-in price. After much deliberation, checking out every used car lot in Montgomery, test-driving several used accords, we went with this new civic:

Merry Christmas, Kristy!

Reasons why I love it: GREAT gas mileage; always wanted a car this color; the reliabilty of and my loyalty to hondas; it is the first car that Patrick and I have ever bought. Dad said we did good!

P.S. Disclaimer: Picture above is not my actual old car. I couldn't find one at the moment, but it is the year, make, and model--minus the spoiler. Notice the auburn sticker, anyone? :)

Christmas Babies!!!

Congratulations to Amy and Scott Stapler on the birth of Elijah Kyle Stapler on December 7, 2007, to Kimberly and Jack Mann on the birth of Henry Mann on December 11, and to Sarah and David Greer on the birth of their new little boy on December 17. As a Christmas baby myself, I have been so excited about the timing of these births by such special friends. I was able to visit Amy in the hospital on the night of sweet Eli's birth which was one of the most special moments. Here are a few pictures of my new little best buddy!

Congratulations to Amy and Scott Stapler on the birth of Elijah Kyle Stapler on December 7, 2007, to Kimberly and Jack Mann on the birth of Henry Mann on December 11, and to Sarah and David Greer on the birth of their new little boy on December 17. As a Christmas baby myself, I have been so excited about the timing of these births by such special friends. I was able to visit Amy in the hospital on the night of sweet Eli's birth which was one of the most special moments. Here are a few pictures of my new little best buddy!