Back in the Swing of Things...

Cocktail party celebrating Susan and Ken's marriage! (L to R Ashley, Susan, and Beverly)

We clean up well don't we? And doesn't Keith look like Ryan Stiles from "Whose Line is it Anyway?"

NCSU friends toasting Dave (tall guy in the middle) on the completion of his Master's Degree!

Christmas 2008 was the first time that we've both had two full weeks off of work, so this past week was a struggle! We both had gotten comfortable with sleeping until 9, staying up past midnight, so getting up at 5 AM again was a bit of a challenge to say the least....

Keith is almost done grading his 90 research papers (he's sitting at the dining room table grading his last five as we speak) so he'll be all smiles soon. The photos above show some of the fun things that we've done this weekend. In addition, on Sunday, I participated in a 5K run in memory of a young man who was killed in a drunk driving accident two years ago. His church youth group organized this in his memory, and proceeds go towards drunk driving prevention programs for area high schools.

Ringing in 2009

Keith was the victor in the first game...

The ladies beat the boys in game two...

Keith and Kris - buddies and college roommates from UNCW

Strange but cool shot...

Happy New Year!!! Here's to a fabulous 2009 to you and those you love.....

We have spent the first few days of 2009 sharing meals and good times with friends in Raleigh and Greensboro. Unfortunately, we both return to work/reality tomorrow.....

Happy Holidays 2008

Mom, Keith, and I enjoy Smith Family Christmas in Grover, NC

Alicia and Pam, two close friends from NCSU, and I pose with part of the floor from the old Reynolds' Collesium. If you've never been to a game there, you have to go. The RBC Center is nice, but there's nothing like a game at Reynolds!

Christmas Eve Midnight Service

We hope that each of you has had a restful and enjoyable holiday. We have been keeping the roads hot and have had a busy first week off work. We spent some time in Conover with my parents and then traveled to Elkin to spend time with Keith's family. From there, it was back to Conover and visits with old high school friends Suzanne Cadwallader, Amanda Moose, and Tatum Preston and their families. Then, it was off to Grover, NC for Smith Family Christmas and then, finally, back home to Raleigh! We spent yesterday cheering the Wolfpack on with friends - despite the football loss, we were happy to witness the basketball win live and in person. Not sure what will be going on the rest of the week. Hopefully, lots of lounging on the couch!

Holiday Fun 2008

Portsmouth Lane's own Team Hardy four months before their St. Baldrick's shearing!

Marshall Loew, our resident Santa, and Pammy Sue

Captain Cleavage action figure (made by Britta) is coming to a store near you!

Elaine, Carolyn, and Jane catch up

Sharing good times at my work holiday party

Last week started the week of parties for us. We spent Monday night at my boss' house with most of my work colleagues. Her husband is a gourmet chef, so we ate well that night.

Friday night, we hosted around fifty of our friends and neighbors for our annual Holiday HooHa. This year, we decided to collect donations for the Triangle Girls on the Run program which I have become involved with. (The program works to build self esteem and a love of fitness and overall wellness in girls grades three through eight.) We collected four large boxes of items and over $200 in cash. We are lucky to have such fabulous and generous friends!

NSDC Conference in Washington D.C.

Gorgeous views from the downstairs atrium at the Gaylord on the Potomac

These were all over the many trees in the lobby

Looking down the lobby of the hotel- These trees lined both sides.

Three of my colleagues from the school system and I just returned from four full days at the NSDC Conference. We presented during two of the session times and also attended many fantastic and informative classes during our time there. If you get a chance, Google this hotel. It's absolutely GORGEOUS- right on the water, has shops that are in houses in the middle of the atrium, has four restaurants, a night club, WOW!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Digging in some pumpkin pie!

Mom and Dad with the feast

Mom and Dad came to Raleigh to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. We've spent the majority of today chilling out feasting, watching "The Godfather" marathon and football and even managed to squeeze in a walk through the neighborhood. We hope to get a bit of shopping in tomorrow (not at 4 AM!,) and Dad has promised to take all of us to see "Australia" at some point. We'll be heading to see the Wolfpack beat up on Miami on Saturday.

Fun Times with Friends

Jess and Catherine

Bridget, Stacy, and I say Cheers!

This weekend was another fun-filled one! We spent Friday night babysitting for our friends Dave and Natalie. Keith and I had a blast hanging out with their two girls while they enjoyed an evening out to celebrate their birthdays. Saturday was filled with yard work and cheering on the Wolfpack as they slaughtered the Tarheels!!! Later that evening, we ventured across the street to our neighbors Sara and George's house for a feast and sing-along with lots of 80's metal classics. On Sunday, we attended a performance of the Free Spirits Ensemble (if you live in the Triangle and get the chance to see them, do it!) and then, I enjoyed an early Thanksgiving feast with eight of my favorite ladies!