Tis The Season...

...to be swamped.

It's been a very busy last 2 months. I've wandered over to my blog many times thinking I need to post another update and then life just kept whirling past. So here goes.

Halloween - found Shaun and I in N.C. trick-or-treating with my sister's boys. Chandler, Collin and Mason. I mean the Soldier, Pirate and Batman! Clearly I went as a beauty queen and Shaun didn't even need a scary mask. We had such a fun weekend, carving pumpkins and hanging out. I think pumpkin carving in N.C. just might become a tradition for us. In the words of Collin, "Mom! You HAVE to invite Aunt Becca and Uncle Shaun to carve pumpkins because if they don't come, you know you won't do it!" Yep, points for Auntie and Uncle.

Church - Shaun and I have started teaching as small group leaders at our church! I teach an adorable group of 1st grade children while Shaun stays on his toes with a group of 4th grade boys. It has been so precious to watch these children grow over the last few months and we are excited to be a small part of an incredible ministry. Our church has made such a huge difference in both of our lives and we are loving being plugged in!

Thanksgiving - We stayed in town this year. Shaun and I have burnt up the road to Florida in the last year with 7 trips home for meeting each others families, wedding showers, Heather's wedding etc. that we felt we needed to rest. We invited everyone to Atlanta to spend the holiday with us, but only Michael and Amanda's families ended up being able to come. We so enjoyed our time with everyone, the yummy food, the memories and can't wait to host again!

Home Projects - home projects have begun. Five months of marriage later (Holy cow! FIVE months already? Where does time go???) and we're finally settled down enough to start doing things to the house. It took me a while to figure out a color for the interior and unfortunately my walls ended up looking like this for the last month. At least Shaun has a great sense of humor about it and tolerates my indecisiveness quite well. It all started with, "Hey, Amanda, while you're in town for Thanksgiving, want to help me look at paint colors?" and one week later...this is what had happened.

Another Engagement - Yes, another Whitfield lady is off the market. Greg proposed to Crystal in St. Augustine at the St. Augustine lighting of the city. What a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season, making Crystal's dream engagement come true. We are so excited for them both and can't wait to have Greg join our family in March of 2012! Congrats, baby sis. I love you so much and am so very happy for you! (This is the only pic I have of the two of them. She does actually have a ring and it's stunning! I just don't have a pic of it yet.)

Christmas Cookie Party - This year I made a few changes to my annual party. We added a judging competition complete with a 4 judge panel, score cards and prizes. First place cookie: Oreo Balls by Miss Dee Dee Huey! I love spending time with my sweet friends over the holidays and swapping yummy Christmas treats with them! Feel free to drop ideas for the 2011 party!

Our dear friend Beks, AKA Doodlz, who helped decorate our 1st Married Christmas Tree and photographed the events of the evening for us.

In case you can't tell from these pictures, there is almost never a serious moment between us. If it's not one of us making a face it's the other.

Christmas Season - This season has been a busy one, but we are looking forward to spending our first married Christmas together, just us, at home! Our stockings are all hung by the chimney with care...ok, well, mine is. We don't actually have one for Shaun yet. But I do have a nice little bag of coal for him under the tree. *big grins* You think I'm kidding? Wait till I post Christmas pictures. hehehe!

I was very happy to finish my shopping a week before Christmas, gifts wrapped and under the tree. Shaun has been a huge help in getting gifts in the mail, addressing all our cards and has been quite the mysterious one about Christmas. It's 3 days till and there's still no wrapped gifts under the tree for me, but he's been up to something for sure. He's had mysterious emails, phone calls, last minute trips to the mall to "meet someone." I'm super curious what in the world could be going on. Guess I'll know in 3 days. Speaking of gifts, I can't wait to give him his!

We're slowly building up our seasonal decor and will be hitting the day after sales to see what we can find. I'm on the hunt for a large nativity. Growing up we had one with 20 or so pieces, my parents would read the Christmas story on Christmas morning and each of us kids would move our pieces to the manger as our part of the story came up. I want to start this tradition for our family now and am hunting for that perfect nativity. Let's hope this is the year I find it!

Lake Lanier Nights of Lights - Shaun found an awesome deal on Lake Lanier's light display. The island is completely decked out with every light you can possibly imagine. From nativity scenes to Puff the Magic Dragon and The Wizard of Oz. (I'm really not kidding) We so enjoyed having Kate and Ryan (and Reagan in the oven) join us along with Bart and his soon to be Mrs. -Angela. Ps. Kate brought some amazing fudge for the ride and I think I almost ate too much. It was SO good!

My Year According to Facebook Updates - and there you have it. That's been my official year. I mean it's according to FB, so that makes it official, right?

Well, my friends, I hope you enjoyed this little update from the Dishman house! Hopefully next time I won't be so slack in blogging. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas filled with cozy moments and those you love!

~Shaun and Rebecca