Here we go Cardinals, Here we go!!!

If my Broncos cannot be there, there is no other team I'd rather...

In past years, it never would have happened. This year, everyone said it wouldn't happen, but whatdoya know....

Let's go Cardinals!!!!!

Yay!

Happy New Year!

I'm excited because I got a new fish as a white elephant gift!!

Good night!

Broken hearts.

Today marks the end. The end of the '08 Bronco football season. A lot of people find it strange that I'm so into football -- in fact, I find it a little strange. I look forward to the games all week. Hunter has several Bronco outfits, Bronco shoes, hats, etc. Chase and I both have Bailey jerseys that we wear religiously from August to...the end. This year, the end has come today, and my jersey shall hibernate in the back of my closet until next year.

I'm disappointed, although not surprised. While our offense is hot, they are often unpredictable. Great passes are often dropped. Not so great passes are often made, and I've come to expect at least one turn over every game due strictly to Cutler's cockiness. Our defense is another story. They suck, period. Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm a big fan of several of our players (proof: I didn't buy the Bailey jerseys simply because that's all that was left in the clearance section...) Ekuban always shows up. Bly would be great if he wasn't compared to Bailey. But the rest...meh?

And so...as Chase sits downstairs and faithfully watches us lose, I've already retired my jersey to the hamper for the night, and have moved on. Tomorrow, I'll focus on more important things such as the Nuggets (no, no I will not, I hate basketball). Tomorrow, I'll focus on the Colts killing the Chargers next week so I can feel some satisfaction in having our rival walk away with their heads hung how I did tonight.

So tonight, I say goodbye to salsa, guac, and "chipies." I say goodbye to cuddling on the couch with Chase only to jump up every 52 seconds in either victory or defeat. I say goodbye to watching the Robot stomp across Fox's screen as Chase complains that it always takes too long for Fox to show the replay. I will say goodbye to my pink jersey.

Next August, I'll happily welcome the Broncos back into open arms and support them once again, but for now...my heart has been broken.

BTW -- you need to click on this picture to view the full thing and understand it!

Who is this man in the red suit??

I've had a lot of time off lately due to the Holidays, as well as due to well-timed snow storms on Tuesdays and Thursdays (the day I work out in the boonies in Franktown...) You would think due to that, I would be better at updating. I'm not. :)

Here is the end of November and December through pictures... - Thanksgiving with my family! Chase, Hunter and I had already eaten, so we skipped dinner. They didn't feel necessary to put us at the table, and instead sat us off to the side...The good news though...I didn't have to participate in dishes! Whoo!
This picture makes me laugh, but, unfortunately it's not the best quality. Chase was rough housing with my nephews and Hunter just HAD to get involved...

- This is one of my favorite pictures ever! This is exactly what Chase and Hunter do together - especially on lazy Saturday mornings.
- Hunter was reading to Miley from "Things That Go"
My nephews have this Bronco helmet and Hunter is absolutely obsessed with it...it doesn't hurt that he looks super cute with it on...He is pretty convinced though that with the helmet on, he is invincible and goes around ramming his head into things...Concussion before the age of three -- definitely possible.
I promise you he is laughing in this picture and not crying!
- He's going to be pretty upset one day when the trailer snaps in half because it can no longer support his weight.... I guess it IS a Tonka though...
- My dogs think they have an extremely hard life...although it was hard to watch the Bronco's lose I suppose...
- I'm fairly obsessed with my Christmas tree. I got an unexpected photo order mid- November leading me to believe I could splurge on a great tree and beautiful ornaments! I was so excited...I still am. I may become the crazy tree lady and leave it up all year long...

And last but not least...our trip to see Santa. Mandy and I took Hunter yesterday after an unsuccessful trip with Daddy on Friday (the line was way too long for a 2 year old's patience). We had running bets on whether Hunter would scream, but, Mommy lost. He sat very seriously with Santa, shaking his head vigorously no when asked to smile. No screams though, making it a successful Santa year for the second year in a row...



♦ I knew I was going to love this picture the second I took it! Him and Santa were having a one-on-one as Hunter asked him for a train and Little Einsteins laptop for Christmas...

As we were leaving, Hunter spotted the moving carousel near the door. A little boy was happily enjoying the $1 ride that his Grandparent's lovingly bought for him (Grandparent's are such suckers...). They were nice enough to let Hunter hitch a ride...

♦♦♦

After the ride was over, Hunter wanted to see what the boat was all about (no doubt genes carried on from his Opa and Grandpa...) He couldn't quite find the seat though, but was content sitting in the hole where your legs go. Silly boy!

Well, that's all from the Anderson house (yes, my paperwork for my name change has been successfully submitted). We hope you all have a VERY Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

2008

2008!!!

I've filled out this survey for the last few years...This would be my 5th one.


The years gone by...

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Lots of things -- I got married, traveled across an ocean, saw dolphins and seals in the wild, bought a house, all kinds of stuff.

2. Did you keep your New Years resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did not keep my New Years resolution last year which just furthers my thought process in thinking that making resolutions is dumb. I will not make one for the next year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not especially close to me, no, but being a photographer, I've seen lots of babies.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Lols. Right. I did travel from California to Catalina which is crossing an ocean -- which would be the closest thing to another country that I've ever gotten to...well, I guess I've driven on the border to Mexico before, lol. And we spent awhile in Pueblo this summer too, lol.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I'd like Chase to get the promotion he wants and deserves. I want my wedding, but that's about it...maybe something else, but I'm not saying what :)

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
Hmmm...

Nov. 19th, we got married.
Nov. 1st, Hunter turned 2!
Oct. 31st, worst pain I've experienced to date
July 2nd, I got Miley
June 27th, we closed on our house

I think the first part of the year was uneventful.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Booking 4 weddings and staying busying with my photography.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Being emotional.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Mid September my back start hurting sporadically. Since then, it's gotten worse and worse to the point now that I'm pretty much in pain every day for the majority of the day. It's been draining me physically, emotionally, as well as financially.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The best thing? Hmmm -- my dress perhaps, or Peyton's dress (lol, she's too cute). Or my ring -- yup, probably my wedding band, I've so in love with it and got such a great price on it.

We also got a great deal on a tv this year.

Buuuuuuuttttttttt on top of everything else, OUR HOUSE!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My parents for always being by my side no matter what happens to me, for always supporting me, and for always loving me, Chase for putting up with my emotionalism and continuing to love me unconditionally, Hunter for being a crazy, energetic, and happy little boy.

(This was last years answer, but I shall keep it)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Some people really get on my nerves, but, it's not worth talking about.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Well, we have lots of bills. That's where most of it goes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I'm really, really, really excited for our wedding and honeymoon, but that's next year. This year I was excited to see my sister TWICE. I was excited about Hunter's birthday party (until my back spasm the night before.) I am excited for Christmas.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"The Time of My Life" by David Cook because it was the American Idol song this year.
"Love You Till The End" by The Pogues because it was going to be our wedding song, but now it's not.


17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier, definitely happier...but, I'm in much more pain.

ii. thinner or fatter?
Sameish.

iii. richer or poorer?
Richer although more of our money is spent on bills now -- but we do make more.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Hmmm -- I don't really know....just enjoying Hunter being 1, cuz now he's two and I'll never get 1 back again...

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Cleaning...Lol.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas eve we are hosting a get together at our house even though it's suppose to be Christmas morning and the emails say Christmas morning, but whatever. Christmas Day will be spent with my parent's, and...that might be it...which will be totally weird and slightly depressing...I'm used to these huge Christmas get togethers. New Years Eve will be spent celebrating Christmas with Chase's Dads Family.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Every day, more and more.

23. How many one night stands?
none

24. What was your favorite TV program(s)?
One Tree Hill, American Idol, House, The Hills, Real World, Dr Phil.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate, but like I said earlier, something people are aggravating.

26. What was the best book you read?
Marley and Me was great, but so was everything I read by Jodi Picoult this year. I love her.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmmm -- Ingrid Michaelson perhaps.

28. What did you want and get?
A house, a ring, a new camera, a Miley. I get all sorts of things. Chase is good to me.

29. What did you want and not get?
Once again, I did not win the lottery...maybe next year.


30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmmm -- P.S. I love You maybe. Marley and Me probably, but it's not out till Christmas. Little Einsteins Christmas Wish, lol.

31. What did you do on your birthday?
Pretty low key day. Mandy took me to lunch at Olive Garden with Hunter and Leila and then we did some shopping at Southlands. She bought me great new shoes that I never would have bought for myself, so that was exciting.

That afternoon, Chase locked his keys in his car, so I had to go rescue him, and then I picked up my own cake from Dairy Queen, and went home and ate it with my family. Dylan and Dalton were there also and I paid them $10 to watch Hunter while I went and rescued Chase (my mom was there to supervise of course, lol.)

32. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
I don't know, it was a very good year.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Comfy -- pj pants, sweats, tshirts, robes. Lol. I wore dresses and heels for a lot of interviews and then my back started hurting so I threw out all my heels :)

34. What kept you sane?
Chase (although he also drives me insane), baths, reading, sleeping, shopping.

35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Uuuhhm -- probably The Hills characters.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Lol. I should just leave this blank...

37. Who did you miss?
My sister. Arizona.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Uhm - my new families I work for I guess.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Grocery Shopping with a Two year old is more work than it's worth. Who needs to eat?

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I've always been right behind you
Now I'll always be right beside you

Thankful

I can't believe the end of my 5 day vacation is over. It's back to work tomorrow for Hunter and I...and we have a five day week this week -- oh boy! So, here's a quick update of the changes in our life recently...

1. Chase and I got married on November 19th. Really, we just signed a common law form, but it does state that the only way to terminate our marriage is through divorce or death, so we're basically married! Yay! June 13th still seems so far away though, and I'm really looking forward to our actual wedding. It's a lot of fun referring to each other as husband and wife though...

2. I started a new job watching a few little boys in Franktown on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are good boys, but very long days. I'm hoping it improves as we get on some sort of schedule, but basically it's Go Go Go all day long! I still watch Henry, now on Monday and Wednesdays, so I do have three day weekends to work on photos...with the exception of this week!

3. Chase started working p/t with my brother in law selling windows. In his first week, he brought home over $500 in commissions, so we're really excited about the prospect of this. It's really win win for everybody, as the more Chase sells, the more money we get, and the more work my Dad has!

4. Hunter had his 2 year appointment. He is healthy and happy according to Dr. Jacobs who always tries to convince me that she doesn't tell all of her patients that they just keep getting more and more cute! He is doing very well though, so we'll keep up the good work!

5. Thanksgiving came and gone. Cayden Brandt, Tasha's new little boy, was born early Thanksgiving day, giving me a huge reminder that my Grandfather is still around! His birthday is the same as Cayden's and it makes me smile knowing they will share the day, even if Cayden never knows it!

6. We bought our first Christmas tree and a new set of ornaments! This will be our first Christmas as husband and wife (yay!) as well as our first Christmas in our first house! This Christmas will be light on the presents side, but huge on the family side -- Chase and I plan on spending lots of quality time together celebrating!

7. I am in the process of changing my name. Soon, I will be Holly Kristeen Anderson. I'll let you know when it's official!

8. Chase announced to me last week that he will be bringing home a $2000 *before taxes* Christmas bonus this year. This was HUGE for us as it will help bring us out of debt...we are very excited to no longer feel the strain of credit card debt. We are also excited to be able to hopefully help my parent's out with wedding costs, as well as save up for new cars and our honeymoon! It is a huge leap in the right direction for us.
I think that's all the new updates!

So, on another note...for 2008, this is what I'm thankful for...

I am thankful that I am healthy and happy, and that my family is healthy and happy. I am thankful that we were all able to spend another year together. I am thankful that in the time of this horrible economy, the people closest to me still have good jobs, their houses, and money to support their families. I am thankful that my son has had another year to learn and grow. He is a wonderful little boy, and I am thankful for everyday I get to spend with him. I am very thankful that I have gone another year without having to put him in daycare. I am thankful that I have such a wonderful, loving, and amazing husband. I am thankful that Chase and I were able to purchase our first home this year, and thankful that we got the house we did on the budget we have. We are very happy here, and love our wonderful town home. I am thankful that the snow has come late this year, and we have had so many wonderful snow free days! I am thankful that Lisa's ordeal is almost over, which is one step closer to bringing my sister home for good! And last but certainly not least, I am thankful for my cute, loving puppies, who really make our house a home!

Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Day!

I know, it's been awhile. I've been slacking, really. I do have a semi-good excuse. I've been having some back problems lately, so...I pretty much don't do much of anything anymore! Today's the first day in quite some time that I actually feel pretty good, so yay! I've been seeing a chiropractor, so maybe it's working!!

On to other more important things...

Hunter is two! I can't believe that my little baby is "officially" not a baby anymore. So far, two has been much the same as one! Lol. Some grumpies here and there, but overall, Hunter's a pretty content kid. Although I do think he's been watching too much tv lately, but...well, see above. :)

We celebrated Hunter's birthday for two days. On Halloween, I was babysitting Henry, so Hunter, Henry and I went to our playgroup's party at an indoor park. That was a lot of fun, and the kid's got to wear their costumes and eat some yummy treats! After nap time, we went trick or treating at RE/MAX so Chase could show off Hunter to all of his co-workers! For dinner that evening, we took Hunter to Red Robin. They sang Happy Birthday to him, and I swear he acted like he was all embarrassed. It was pretty hilarious! Afterwards, we went to Adam and Kim's house to go trick or treating with Peyton and then to just hang out for awhile! I love Hunter and Peyton together...they are too cute!


Saturday morning, we woke up early and gave Hunter his birthday gift from us! He was so excited...I think it's easy to see that he loved it!


Then, we got ready for our birthday party!!! Although it wasn't as big of a turn out as we had expected, Hunter still had a lot of fun, and got some great gifts! We mostly asked for clothes, but Hunter didn't seem to mind, and still got plenty of toys anyways! I think he enjoyed the cake the best though!




Well, there ya have it! I have a lot of other cute pictures I need to add sometime, but, sometime may be a few days away :) Aside from my back, photo shoots and wedding planning are taking up quite a bit of time now a days. Oh well! :)

Happy November Everyone...and just keep in mind...it won't be my fault, I voted for McCain :).


P.S. Thank you to everyone who helped make Hunter's birthday a success. I could not have done it without all the help I received! I truly appreciate everyone's kindness while I've been a bit out of sorts! Thank you thank you!