Winter Break Update

Good morning!

How are you? Man, it feels like I have been out of town forever. I miss you all and thought about you often. I really did, that's not just something to say. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years!

As you read in my prior post, Christmas was wonderful. We enjoyed our time together so much and it's amazing how fast those kids are growing up. Well, amazing isn't the right word...scary is.

Here's some more pictures from our time in Virginia...

John and the kids AND our friend Xiaoxin playing Apples to Apples. We met Xiaoxin 3 years ago in Orlando when she was studying there and came to an international student event. We became great friends and hung out weekly for 1.5 years. Then she moved....to the same town our family moved to! Imagine our luck. We love you Xiaoxin!

We also did a 2.8 mile hike to White Rock Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wonderful to connect with nature and get our workout on!

John and the kids conquering a rock!

Oh the joy of a child...

And the joy of love... :)

See? I told you we had a great time! We got back into town last Saturday and rang in the new year with our friends Caitlin and Ben and their cats Boomer and Dip. I didn't get any pictures of the night...argh! Since then I've been at home, sick with a cold and laryngitis. Not a cool way to end my vacation. But, I am happy that it has caused me to slow down today at home long enough to write an update here and reconnect with you all.

Question of the Day: 

How are YOU? Tell me all about it...what was the highlight of your holiday?

Thanksgiving- A Reflection

                                                                       Source: designbykelli.com via Kelli on Pinterest

Good morning and happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are all huddled up around a table with family this beautiful day and will have many beautiful memories to share come Monday.

We arrived here safely in Pennsylvania and are freezing are buns off! I don't know how you northerners live in these temperatures half of the year! You have got thick blood! We enjoyed breakfast around the table trading stories and John and I just went on a golf cart drive around the Christmas tree farm. I can't wait to share pictures with you all.

These days our culture tends to focus more on the turkey and stuffing and less on the actual meaning of the holiday. So I'm drawn here today to share how thankful I am for the life I've been given, the family I was born to, and for each and every one of you that enrich my life in such a real way. I know that we're only "friends," but I feel like I have gotten to know so many of you and I'm thankful for all of your thoughts and points of view, your input, and your encouragement through this last year. It's the community here that keeps me coming back each day and I'm so thankful for the day I first hit "post" and started on a wonderful journey with all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I wish all the best to you and yours.

Love,

Hannah

We're Back From the Beach!

Good morning guys and gals! We've made it back from our lovely week-long vacation and boy was it amazing! A whole week of nowhere to be, no one demanding our time or attention, and more eating than is socially acceptable.

I want to specially thank all the wonderful ladies that filled in for me while I was away. You had some awesome posts and I'm so glad you got to share them with my readers. I hope that many of you went to check out their blogs...they really are wonderful!

Here's a little sneak peak of some pictures to come. Our cruise was re-routed last minute to the Eastern Caribbean to ensure calmer seas and better weather. Our ports changed from Grand Cayman and Cozumel to St. Maarten and Tortola. Both were lovely islands, and we really enjoyed exploring.

The shots pictured here were from Castaway Cay, that's Disney's private island. We loved it. Probably our favorite port since the food was free, the water was super clear, and we snuck in some good snorkel time there. 

I really missed you all and thought about you often (well, as often as one thinks about home while on a vacation away from reality...) But when I did think about it, you all were there! I hope you had a great week last week.

Question of the Day:

What were you up to last week? Fill me in on your life!

Come Sail Away

There are so many cruise-y type songs in my head right now to remind myself that I'm only a day away from one week of bliss on the high seas! Styx is, of course, in the lead at the moment. I've also been singing the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet and Garth Brooks' "Two Pina Coladas."

                                                                                     Source: images.google.com via Julienne on Pinterest

We set sail tomorrow at 4pm and will be back on Saturday, November 5th! We are stopping at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and the Disney island. As you may know, there's a storm brewing in the south so that may put a damper on my sun tan, but there's plenty of fun to be had on a boat rain or shine so it should be a great time.

I've lined up some great reads for while I'm away. Here's a preview of what's to come:

Three Pieces of Greek Food Knowledge and Some Love... By Demie of Paraphernalia
If I Were On a Cruise...   By Gentri of Gentri Lee
Confessions of a (Not Quite) Wine Connoisseur... By Amy of Amy Around the Corner
The Perfection of a Norwegian Sandwich... By Megan of Suitcase and Stilettos
Anniversary Gift Round Up... By Tamra of Walks With Bella

See you guys in November!

                                                                                            Source: travelise.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Sing it with me now! Aruba, Jamaica, oooooh I wanna take ya.....Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty momma!...