Holiday Recap circa 2009!

Thanks to Mrs. Smith, I was reminded I have readers out there who actually enjoy my ramblings. I know, I haven't updated in forever, and I feel like a lifetime of happenings has taken place since my last post. 

So, rather than bore y'all to tears with the details...I'll do a photo recap of all that's happened since...

While Mr. Marine and I were flying home to Texas, my sweet Riley dog was getting hit by a car on Thanksgiving Day!

(Note: all is well with him, just some road rash, and a few stitches! Poor guy! But our friends did give him extra love and took good care of the injured pup. I was one very upset momma!)

We went on our annual ice skating trip to the Houston Galleria. After which we shopped Nordy's and of course...ate at The Bistro! My fam has the best traditions!

While we were home, Roger Creager was playing at Big Texas! So the fam headed out for some dancing, drinking and 2am Whataburgers!

Mr. Marine's eyes are closed (or maybe it was just too much of a good thing) but this epitomizes my ideal existence...Mr. Marine, Texas, Dancing, and drinking Shiner Bock!

Be still my beating heart! After seeing me get pushed around the dance floor by every guy but him, my sweet Georgia Marine asked me to show him how to two-step! I about died! What a night to remember!

I had to bring all my favorite Texas fixins back home. Everytime I use one of these, it takes me home, to a place...where I belong (Ok..breaking out in song here...even if it is a song about WV)

Mr. Marine and I have season tix to the Houston Texans (family bought them before I moved) so when we aren't there, my niece and her bf use them...well, we finally got to use them ourselves!)

I was able to eat some dinner and grab a quick beer with my BFF and fellow Marine spouse! I love Cedar Creek, so we go everytime I come home! This time, I finally got to show Mr. Marine!

You can take the girl outta Texas, but you can't take Texas outta the girl! 

Once the holidays kicked off, I co-hosted a cookie exchange with fellow blogger and twinsie, Maggie from It Is Everlasting!

The Junior League ladies enjoyed a day together! Watching my Houston Texans beat the Rams...from the comfort of a suite at the stadium!

Mr. Riley put on his new Christmas sweater for his annual photo session with Santa!

Finally, Mr. Marine and I kept with my family tradition of going out to a nice dinner on Christmas Eve. So we headed to Ruth's Chris with some friends and then to Midnight Mass at the Cathedral.

This was a bit of an odd holiday since we stayed at home and didn't have any family around. People said we'd love it, and never want to travel again. I hated it! I missed the hustle and bustle of family, I missed the noise, I missed all of it! Heck, I think I called my family 20x or more on Christmas Day! But we did end up hosting some single Marines at our house for Christmas dinner. We drank wine, laughed and played Apples to Apples...that's traditional, right?