I realize it's been since before Thanksgiving since I've updated. It's been very busy around here. The Thanksgiving weekend flew by without any time to unwind and I ended up coming down with a cold which made for a miserable week back. In addition to seeing family and traveling and having friends over, I had to find time to make Christmas cards for the card-exchange club at work, find Christmas gifts for a Secret Santa thing at work, and make 12 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange party. Add in a few Raleigh birthdays, a busy few weeks at work, and the time spent decorating our house, the big couple of storms that came through town.... We've been busy! I think most of my obligations are done after this weekend, so hopefully I'll find time to do a little Christmas shopping- and to finally RELAX!
In the midst of all of this was Rob's birthday. He doesn't like to really like to plan things for his birthday, but we ended up meeting Nick and Molly and some friends at the Happy Gnome for dinner. It was such a nice time! Molly introduced us to the joys of the Happy Gnome cheese platter. The spread was delicious but I think Molly got the most out of it, relishing every bite. Then on Saturday we had an impromptu party when the roads were at their worst. A few didn't want to risk the drive, but we still had a good group show up. It was a very low-key event with the guys downstairs playing pool while the girls had some quality girl-talk upstairs.
We bought a Christmas tree this week. It came "pre-lit" and also has pine cones scattered throughout the branches. It's pretty cute for a fake. Last night we hung the ornaments, and also did a little more decorating in the front entry way. I wish I could start putting Christmas gifts under the tree but I think Penny would mistake them for a bathroom and ruin Christmas for everyone.