Friends and Fun

Today was a great day......no it was an amazing day. Our friends, Ali & Donnie finally arrived! Well, actually I think they were saying that when Drew & I finally made it to the airport to pick them up! Let me fill you in on our day today!!!! To start Drew and I started at the gym today....yes the gym! I know, I know I normally do not go to that specific place but we are going to make this a part of our daily routine. After the gym we came home and I had to do a little cleaning before our fabulous guests arrived. As I cleaned like a bat out of hell and Drew vacuumed upstairs and folded clothes (yes, I said vacuumed and folded clothes- this is a milestone in our relationship especially since he did not put up a fight!) I jumped into the shower and I was able to make it out of the house in 30 minutes (that even included shaving and washing my hair......WOOHOO for me!) However, just when I thought we were going to make it to the airport on time, Ali calls me to inform us that they arrived 20 minutes early......I mean honestly when does an airport, especially during the holidays EVER arrive early? So just when I thought we would be there on time, we were actually LATE. To get there as fast as we could Drew drove like a Nascar driver......and that was a little scary. As we made our way into the airport Drew decided to make a wrong turn and go to departures rather than arrivals. So as you can imagine we had to go all the way back around the airport to get back to arrivals. So right now you are thinking to yourself "Drew is frusterated and rather upset"......well yes he was especially when I am yelling, "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" So after we made it back to arrivals we picked up Donnie & Ali! At this point the fun has begun! We went to lunch at Panera and walked the entire length of Coconut Point......as we searched for "cheap" sunglasses for Ali. Now cheap and coconut point do not go together but surprisingly enough we actually found a pair for her to buy that did not give Donnie a coronary. After our trip to the mall we came home and got them all settled into the house. Ali asked if we could go and get a pedicure....Donnie was all about it. He said that we really wanted to get one.....so I called and made an appointment for three and then Drew chimed in......."I want one too!!!" So we all were able to get our pedicures for New Years!
As you can see Drew did not want his picture taken....and he "thought" that if he covered his face no one would know that it was him!!!! What do you think.....can you tell its him?

To finish the day it took five people to go to Publix to grab the ingredients to make quesadillas. Ali and I went next door to find her wine and we all met outside in front of Publix. It took Drew fooorrrevvveeerrr to get the things he needed. So as we waited patiently outside of Publix I had to document our standing outside of Publix and waiting for Drew like a bunch of highschool kids standing outside of the movie theaters!

Before we know it the day has passed and we hold a lot of memories to reminisce on later! I can't wait for tomorrow.....the adventures, the memories that we will share, and the fun that awaits!

The Sweet Smell of Cookies

What is better than sitting in a warm house, smelling the delicious aroma of sugar cookies baking in the oven and talking a with a close friend? It almost helps bring the chaos of life to an uninterrupted break. On Christmas Eve day Wylie, a very close friend, and I decided to create a "cook" date. On this "cook" date we baked holiday sugar cookies for us to share with our families that night! Although neither of us do this that much the sugar cookies were a hit in both homes!!!
As we baked, little Leah slept peacefully in her swing. To her it didn't matter that we had to fix the batter, since we didn't read the right directions, or remake some of the cutouts because the batter kept sticking to the counter. All she cared about was her dreams and getting her beauty rest! I know that Wylie won't post this on her blog but I believe that on this day we had a milestone.......December 24, 2008, Christmas Eve day Leah Jolie Bertuna ate a sugar cookie!!!! Ok, ok it wasn't a whole sugar cookie but it was at least a piece of it anyway- and to me that is a milestone!!!! HURRAY for LEAH!!!!With all of the creativity and cookie eating that was flowing through the room Wylie cutout two huge sleighs from the batter. After they baked she decorated them and personalized them to our families.......
Before we know it we are baking and cooking in the kitchen, not just watching our mom or dad cook or bake. Its actually our turn. And sometimes there are insecurities that come with it but in the end all of the worries wash away when the cooking is done and it tastes majical! On this day we had a blast! No worries about work, life, or the pressures of making sure that we had everything done for the day. This day was all about taking a little time to catch up with a close friend, eat and enjoy the company of both! If you don't have a good friends than life just isn't worth it! Thanks Wylie for having a "cook" date with me! Can't wait to make this our tradition!
Here is a tid-bit of information:
Kathy, my new mom, wrote to me all about traditions! Here is what she said,

"I just heard this past week that tradition is created in the art of repeating. So whether you have green beans or brussel sprouts, turkey or beef, always do the same. Friends, family, children will start to expect or anticipate it and always remember it. Hopefully, they will always fondly remember".

Merry Christmas To All & To All A Goodnight

As the Christmas lights glimmered on the bushes, the steady crisp air of the wind ran through the house, and the sounds of Christmas filled the air I felt as if the night was in slow motion. Laughter, joy, happiness, and warmth filled the air and the magic of Christmas filled the eyes, hearts and souls of each person in the room. The kids ran through the house (laughing, screaming, joking, and smiling) as if Santa had just arrived and the reindeer were on the roof. The dogs were in seventh heaven, as they were outside helping their self to the kids leftover dinners that they simply picked at. My parents and Drew's parents were sitting inside watching the chaos and trying to engage in some sort of conversation. Andia laid on the couch curled up in a blanket trying to keep her tired body awake for more than a few hours and Euro ran through the house taking anyone and everyone's drink and gulping it down as if he had never had a drink in his life. Seven juice boxes and one Coke later he was hanging on Lyn's neck fighting his heavy eyelids that just wanted to close. And in the midst of the chaos (which an outside that may have been watching would have simply pulled his/her hair out and ran the other away) we all knew what was going on. There were no rules or guidelines lastnight and somehow everything worked out just perfect.

When it was time to open Christmas presents we all sat there still talking not really caring about the presents under the tree, until Eyahna and my aunt began begging for us to pass out presents. As I gave Quisha, Eyahna, and Edgerrin a present each to pass out, Edgerrin simply stated, "Wheres my present?" Even at the age of 4 he knew that he wanted his present not to be passing out presents! As we grow and get older we forget the anticipated, excited, anxious feeling that overwhelms our bodies when we see Christmas presents under the tree. As I sat back to watch my family enjoy the time of the season I started to think about what the year has brought. As the memories of 2008 filled the air around me, I began to think about how much Drew and I have been blessed with! We have made new friends, traveled, and found happiness in times that no one would of thought that happiness could lie.
As Drew and I layed in bed lastnight, or early this morning at 1:00 am, I simply stated how happy I was that the tradition of spending Christmas with Andia and the kids actually happened. I do not think that I could of handled a single moment if those five incredibly strong people were not there to share in the moment and create memories that I will hold for a life time. Before we know it time passes by rather quickly and unexpected, unexplainable moments occur. With each day comes a new lesson and we tend to get stuck in the "comfort" of our own lives. We seldom express our true thoughts and feelings and place a band-aide on what is really going on. We put on a "happy go lucky" front and hide what is really happening. With the time of the season make an effort be a positive person in someone's life- you never know who might need it. Drew and I hope that each of you were able to experience the "anticipated, excited, anxious" feeling that filled each of us at the age of 4 at Christmas time!

FOURRRR!!!

As time passes one's interests begin to change and one does something that one never thought that one would ever do! On Sunday Drew and Brad invited Kasey and I to watch them play a few holes of golf. (Is that the right lingo? I think I need the book "Golf Lingo for Dummies"!) As I drove the golf cart, attempting to follow Drew's directions of where to drive the golf cart and where not to, I found myself thinking it can't be that hard to hit a little white ball with a gigantic black club. So I actually asked Drew if I could try hitting the ball. I know, I know you are asking yourself "Chanel, wants to attempt to hit a golf ball?" But in the midst of asking that question to yourself you actually found yourself revamping the question to, "Drew actually invited her to the golf course?" Well, as many of you know I know nothing about golf. When I say "nothing" that is exactly what I mean. During this little "outing" I asked Drew a thousand questions! Just to give you a little glimpse into Drew's life, on this particular Sunday, here are some of the questions that I asked:

1. Why are there not any bathrooms our here?
2. What hole are we on?
3. Why are you hitting the ball from all the way back here?
4. Can I drive on this part of the course?
5. Why did you hit the ball over there?
6. What hole number is this?
7. How do you know what club to use?
8. What is that thing for?
9. How do you know how far away the flag is?
10. What hole are we on now?

With all of these questions, Drew handled it very well! And if you know Drew as well as I think you all do, Drew gets rather grumpy when his interests do not go his way. So as you can imagine Sunday was rather funny, or at least to me it was! Now my last question is...why do they not have signs on the golf course telling you where to drive? Is that to hard to ask for? Is this why men always have a hard time stopping and asking for directions as they are driving a car?


Before we know it.....time passes and our interests change. I never thought that I would spend two hours on a golf course watching Drew golf. But, I will let you in on a little secret....I loved every minute of it! (And I think Drew did too)!!

Baby It's Cold Outside......

This past weekend Drew, my parents, and I went to Deep Creek Maryland to celebrate our friends' 30th birthdays! One amazing part of this trip was that we were able to see snow for the first time! Yes, I said we saw snow for the first time! This trip will be one that we will remember for a life time! This is the 5 bedroom/ 5 bathroom house that we stayed in from a couple of nights! This is also the same house that my dad and Wayne decided to chuck snowballs at us with all thier might as we started to get out of the car as we first arrived at the house. It was rather peaceful in this house. Even though there was choas happening inside, oustide was quiet and sense of calmness filled the air. Saturday night Ali and I went in the hot tub. Now it was freezing as we made our way in but as we sat there it was a relaxing time!

One of the fun activities that we did was ride a mountain coaster! At first Drew did not want to go with me...so we rode seperately the first time and then together on the second run! It was an intense adventure! Looking at this picture does not seem to intense but let me tell you....as you ride all the way to the top of the mountain and then you gain complete control of how fast you go. Now when I went by myself I didn't go that fast, but when I went with Drew I don't think he knew what a brake was. He didn't touch it once!!!!!

So here's my thought on snow angels....when you are in the midst of making a snow angel it is rather fun. But then when you stand up and you have snow where you didn't think snow could get (because you have "thousands" of pieces of clothing covering every inch of your body) its not so much fun! Let me tell you, I had snow everywhere. Now, Im not just saying on my shoes and in my hair. No, I mean it was up my shirt and down my pants. I know you are probably thinking to yourself- how in the world did she manage to get snow in those two place- well I simply have no idea.

Another first experience was being able to ski! I was so happy that we could experiencce this together! With a few hundred times of falling on the kiddie slope. I was actually able to make it down the trail twice with out falling! Now you would think that the kiddie would be easier to get down, but it was not. Drew seemed to tackle the kiddie slope easily but me on the other hand looked like a fish out of water. My first attempt was just getting up the kiddie slope. This is where my nasty bruise on my leg came from. Luckily, we both made it back home in one piece, except for that nasty bruise on my leg, we are A-OK!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

Tonight I finally took pictures of our first Christmas tree! Although I wanted the tree for Thanksgiving I was able to wait until that weekend arrived! I love Christmas time and all of the joys it brings!

























When I think of Christmas I always think of the tree. I had to find the most perfect tree topper- my mom gave us a beautiful angel to use.















Our staircase is lined with stockings. Now, I know you are thinking to yourself "Why do they have five stockings on their staircase?" Well, for those of you that do not know we have a friend of a friend that is living with us- so we also have a stocking for him and his girlfriend! And who could forget about Gigi!