Farewell 2009

2009 has definitely been a year to remember! It was full of new and exciting events. Edward and I are now husband and wife, own a house, have friends and family that got married/engaged and others who are expecting little ones, traveled out west, (one of us) met a country superstar, and we made many unforgettable memories. The past year was also marked with some hardships and misfortunes. We lost loved ones, bounced back from a layoff and survived an unexpected job transfer. We also made it through trying to handle what seemed like a thousand things happening at once, through which I was reminded countless times to "Keep Calm and Carry On" (a saying which now hangs in our kitchen for a daily reminder). Before we ring in the new year I thought I would take a moment to recap some of the best of '09 (there were so many great things, it was hard to pick the best). Enjoy! We can't wait to see what next year will bring us, since we were blessed with so much this year. I don't know how our life could get any better!

The gang together in Pittsburgh to visit the doctors!

The annual St. Patty's Day Breakfast/Party/Parade at 217 Linwood (we will miss it). It was gorgeous weather for March.

Weddings, weddings and more weddings. We had a total of 6 this year (and 8 already in 2010). Edward and I traveled all over the country to make it to all of them.

New Jersey for Aru and Anita's two-day Hindu celebration.

Limo bus after Keri got hitched.

In the mountains of Vermont for Joe and Diane's nuptials.

We made it to Vail to see Kristi and Kevin tie the knot.

Tiffany's reception in Rochester...a college dorm room reunion.

Also...New York for Rob & Vanessa's beautiful wedding day (sorry no pics-I forgot my camera for that one). Or maybe I want to block out the memory of sharing a hotel room with Ed, Tim and Matt.

Colorado Vacation-We headed out west to the Rockies. The week was spent in Vail, Breckenridge, Denver, Boulder, Estes and Fort Collins.

Shopping in Vail.

4th of July at the Colorado Rockies game.

Concert at Red Rocks.

Brewery Tour-5 Breweries in 7 days...now that's a lot of beer drinkin'!

Touching the sky at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Showered with love at my bridal shower at Harry's Harbour.

SOLD!!!

Moving day....union break in the man cave.

Home Sweet Home.

Ed's bachelor party at the "Watson Estate"-lawn games, beer drinking and god knows what else!?!

Amanda's bachelorette-dinner at Tantalus and drinks at our house. A much more civilized affair!

Meeting Kenny on Christine's 30th!!!

Coming home to packages on the porch.

First dance - "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison.

Niagara-on-the-Lake weekend getaway.

Newlyweds!!! The next Giada and Bobby Flay???

First Christmas as a married couple.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Darwin Martin House

Edward had the day off from work so we went on a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House Complex in the city. We heard the amazing story of great architecture, a great architect, and his greatest patron and friend, Darwin Martin. We both learned a lot! On the tour we were able to see the Martin House, pergola, conservatory, carriage house, as well as the Barton House and Gardener's cottage. The Martin House complex is currently being restored to its condition of 1907. It is still a work in progress, but what has been accomplished so far is extraordinary.

Christmas Day

To Amanda, from Edward:

Crock and jug for the living room

Blue bottles for the shelf in the kitchen

Picture for the kitchen

Bike helmet

Real Simple magazine subscription

To Edward, from Amanda:

Fleece pants

Citizen EcoDrive NightHawk (Yes, just like Will Ferrell's character in Step Brothers.).

After presents and breakfast at our house, Edward and I headed over to my parent's house for more presents and lots of company. Everyone got fantastic gifts from one another. Edward now has a "manly man's" drill and I have a beautiful pearl necklace...among a lot of other things. It was a great holiday spent with loved ones!

New garden boots.

Slippers!!!

No more chunks in John's tea.

Lego City!

Waiting patiently.

Aunt Molly helping to unwrap.

I can do the rest by myself.

The girlies.

The Watson crew.

Our first Christmas as husband & wife.

The Griswolds.

Lookin good.

This is the look you get when you tell Lilah to smile.

The annual game of Catch Phrase.

Finishing off the night with one last 'Nog!

*Ed was introduced to 'Nogs (eggnog and rum) by my mother at his first Christmas with us two years ago. Since then it has become his favorite holiday beverage.