T - 1 hour

-The Last Meal-

Josh and I finally found good Mexican food and it is only 5 minutes from our casa. Since it is our last meal before the 2010 Chapa House Biggest Loser begins, we went all out. Tacos, carnitas, chips, 3 different kinds of salsa, mango margaritas and a chocolate chimichanga (all Josh) could be found on our table at Rosepepper.

We will be heading up to the terrace pretty soon to watch the fireworks on the river downtown. Oh, how I love living close to all the action!

I can still remember ringing in 2000 with dinner at Ichi Ban, and it hardly seems like a decade has passed.

Well it is about that time. You know, the time to close the 2009 chapter and begin 2010 with a list of resolutions (or revolutions, as I mistakenly keep calling them). Maybe my psyche is trying to tell me something. Maybe my list will be more revolutionary this year. Actually, I have never had a New Year's resolution before. I haven't quite solidified the inaugural list, but I plan on taking some time to really think about where I am in my life and where I want to be this time next year. The past couple of years have been crazy. I have made so many mistakes, and taken so many wrong turns. I jumped into things too quickly and never really calculated the total cost of my decisions. But, it hasn't been so bad... for these are the things that make up a life. These are the experiences that make me who I am and help me become a wiser person.

Here are some of the highlights of 2009:

• January Finally took Josh (and Lola) to see the beauty of the Grand Canyon • February Took a trip to Rocky Point with my dad and step mom • March Spent quality time with my mom, step dad and brother in Denver • April Made the scary (smart) decision to leave Arizona (again) to attend graduate school at Vanderbilt • May Celebrated one year of married bliss • June Spent a magical weekend in San Diego to celebrate the wedding of my dad and step mom • July Fell in love with and became the aunt of the sweetest boy in the world, Owyn Joseph • August Took the 3 day journey through 6 states to Tennessee • September Started a new job, and a new program in a new town and managed to make some new friends • October Moved over the river and through the hood from West to East Nashville • November Welcomed our very first Nashville guests (Josh's parents) • December Finally learned what it feels like to go home

Here's to another great year. I can't wait to see where we are a year from now. Cheers xoxo

Sweets

Our gingerbread house... 5 minutes later it fell apart...

I did a lot of cooking and baking over the Christmas weekend, and I tell ya, it is boring when there is only 2 people in the house. So much of what I make goes bad before we eat it all. I really need to start cutting down recipe's and making 2 person portions.

2009 recap and 2010 resolutions coming soon!

Merry Christmas!

Picture: Frankie Claus

I am busy making all the fixins for a traditional Christmas dinner. Josh, Lola and I will be alone this Christmas, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate in true holiday fashion! I'll let you know how dinner turns out, maybe even take a couple of pictures if you're lucky!

My Favorite Little Man

I am so lucky to be the Aunt of this little guy. Thank you Chelsea for creating this perfect creature, who I have full intentions of spoiling once he is old enough to enjoy it.

Owyn met me at the airport with his Mama and smiled as soon as I said hello. I'd like to think we have a special connection, although he might just be drawn to my big eyes and glasses, because lord knows babies love glasses. All I know is that he is the sweetest baby, and I would love on him all day long if I could. The fact that I am living 2000 miles away from my favorite little man is quite depressing. But I rest assured, knowing that no matter how far I am, I am his one and only Aunt Whitney. Oh how lucky I am!

Tempe, Oh How I Missed You

A visit home was just what I needed. I got in everything I love and miss in Tempe:

Sister time watching silly TV and doing crafts

Grocery shopping at Sunflower Market

Iced Chai's from 3 Roots, Solo Cafe and Xtream Bean

Walking through campus on the palm lined pathways

Catching up with old coworkers and running into people I know on the street

Strolling around Tempe Town Lake and admiring the lights

70 degree weather and the bluest skies in all the land

San Diego

I had a great time in San Diego last week, thanks to my Dad and Step Mom. As far as I am concerned, the beach is heaven on earth. There is nothing more relaxing than just planting your butt in the sand and listening to the waves crash. It's good for the soul.

Christmas pictures

My mom just posted a bunch of pictures from christmas when we were growing up. I LOVE this one!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I finished my last final and turned it in (which is due next Wednesday by the way, the things I do for AZ), and decided I should celebrate. This mini-celebration would be between me and a good friend Gigi (who I never see, I promise!). I stopped by Gigi's on the way home and picked up this....

"The Good"

When I got home I took a couple of bites, as much as one can handle in a given day, and this is what I found...a hidden treasure in the center of the cupcake.

"The Bad"

I swear I didn't have one more bite of that thing... now I remember why don't see Gigi very much. Well, with all this excitement I got clumsy, as usual, and dropped my phone (for the bajillionth time), but this time it actually broke. At least the face did....

"The Ugly"

Really? That sucks. At least it still works! Looks like I have something to add to the Christmas list. Which is lame. I like my phone and had no intentions of giving her up for at least 20 months.

I am off to the Valley of the Sun tomorrow! As a courtesy to my hubby, I will be leaving the lap top at home. We don't have cable and I figured it would be cruel to leave him without Internet. Aren't you proud I am becoming a good wife...we or even he comes before me with increasing frequency. Now if only I could get a grip on the laundry...than I would be prime.

In case you forgot what she looks like...

Oh, wait...that is Lola. You remember what she looks like. You see her all the time. Here we go. Chelsea, you might have forgotten what you sister looks like. When you go to the airport to pick her up, this is how she will appear. Longer hair with serious roots, but pretty much the same clothes, face, big eyes, smudged black eyeliner, and sarcastic expression. ; )

She is excited to see you, baby Owyn, Grandma('s), Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends, oh and Dad and Wendy too! Because YES, she is going to CALIFORNIA while she is visiting! (Thanks to Wendy!) Woohoo!