MeRrY cHrIsTmAs

We hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our house with Nic's parents and his brother (Craig) and family.  I couldn't wait to be the hostess at our new house. The tables all set and ready to go:

 How cute is this face?!

 I love my boy

 Everyone...almost, before dinner. L to R front row: Christa, Kole, Chase, Krew. L to R back row: Craig, Molly, Nic, Bob, Rita.

 Yours truly and Neeko

 The extent of Christmas decorations in our house was the wreath on my front door. No tree. No nothing. Thankfully my parents let us borrow their fake tree which definitely helped add some Christmas spirit in our home.

 The candles are lit. The drinks are poured. Let's eat!

 After dinner, we discussed the Nativity. Each kid opened a "present" (AKA pieces to the nativitiy) and then we discussed each piece. 

 Christmas Eve wouldn't be Christmas Eve without opening some presents

 My FIL hanging himself with the new tie we got him. He must have really liked it. haha

 My MIL Rita with her new scarf. (I was tempted to keep it for myself)

 We got Craig and Molly a frame that said something about Family on it. Super cute.

 This is who I like to call Harrison's foster mom, Jeanette. She raised Harrison and then we adopted him. She and her kids raise Guide Dogs. We got her a picture frame (included with a picture of Harrison) so she can put pictures of all of the Guide Dogs she raise. :) We wouldn't have our little guy without her.

Sunday was absolutely wonderful. I was in charge of the Sacrament meeting program and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. 

We headed up to my parent's house after church. Ate more food and opened up some presents. 

We hope you all had a Merry, Merry one as we did. 

30Th BiRtHdAy

Nic turned the big 3-0 this year and I wanted to do something special for him, so what did I do for him?

Throw him a surprise party of course!

With my parents help, I got him out of the house to set up while everyone showed up. :)

It turned out so well and I even kept it a secret for over a month.

This party came with a chocolate fountain with oh so many things to dip (i.e. bacon [yeah, that's right], cookies of all kinds, gummies, pretzels, and so much more).

We also played what I like to call "Nictionary." Played just like the good ol' regular Pictionary, but with clues about Nic. 

I think he had a great time - I fun planning and celebrating with friends and family.

After the party, the birthday boy opened presents.

This t-shirt had Nic written all over it - if only it said "Diet."

 Who doesn't like Reese's and Sharpie pens?

 Candied Pecans

 His own personal non-gluten-free food: chocolate chip cookie dough

 The Grill Master with a new grill set

Happy Birthday Neeko! Hope you had a happy one!

MrI

Where did I leave off with my back?...

I had an appointment with an ortho doc (Dr. Conaughty) and I really liked him. Discussed pain levels, movement, activities, etc. Got more X-Rays done. Scheduled me for a MRI for December 29.

It's a blessing and a curse to work at the hospital: you can look at the results of your tests.

I looked. Some things I knew, but unfortunately some things I didn't know.

Follow up with the ortho doc on...wait for it...January 31! That was the soonest I could get in - I am on a waiting list.

I will discuss with him the next course of action.

Until then. Trial of my patience.

It has been crazy busy here at the Phair household.

From anything to everything we have been busy painting, throwing a surprise birthday party and, of course, Christmas. It's time to settle down and ring in the New Year.

Pictures are in store for you lovely readers. Patience is heavenly.

WaLlPaPeR

I despise wallpaper. 

Thankfully it's only in the master bedroom and bathroom. 

This is one of the first projects we wanted to tackle before anything else.

The previous owners chose such beautiful wallpaper. NOT.

 They could have used a lot less glue.

 It's hard work scraping and scrubbing glue.

Who knew there was a white wall underneath all that glue?

All done. No more glue.

At least not in the bedroom.

There is that bathroom...

GoBbLe 2011

We had a great Turkey Day with my family. 

Everyone came...almost (we missed you Summer Family)

Turkey. Prime Rib. Pumpkin Pie.

Family laughs. 

 Beautiful centerpiece

 We each had our very own place settings.

N is for Nic.

 A is for Allison

 GIVING THANKS

 Happy Thanksgiving! 

I feel bad continually posting updates about my back, but maybe some of you might be interested.

I saw my primary doc yesterday. Put me on a new anti-inflammatory. He referred me to an ortho doc here in town, which is what I expected.

I see him on December 20.

Because of the good man I married, he's been researching spondylolisthesis and surgery vs not. Nic has my best interest in mind. :) He takes really good care of me.

I have been reminded that this is a trial of my patience.

Bring. It. On. I could use some more patience.

BiRtHdAy BoY

We celebrated Harrison's 1st Birthday by not doing much.

He did look pretty cute in his party hat!

He got a new rawhide bone.

Love my 2 boys.

He's such a party animal.

HaPpY 1sT bIrThDaY

Happy 1st Birthday to Harrison!

So I'm going to do a post about our 1 year old dog similar to those of parents' kids turning 1. Don't make fun. Harrison is our little toddler.

Yes, it's November 21 and Harr Bear turns 1 today. I can't believe our little guy is 1. He is such a great dog and we love him very much. :)

At 1 year old Harrison loves:

~ Laying by the fireplace

~ Laying by your feet

~ Playing with his blue toy

~ Going on walks

~ Eating

~ Peanut Butter anything

~ Car rides

~ Fetch

At 1 year old Harrison doesn't like:

~ Vacuums

~ Unfamiliar noises

~ Spider webs 

Although maybe the year 2011 didn't bring our "blessing from heaven," but we were blessed with Harrison. He is such a joy to have around.

Happy Birthday Harrison!

SpOnDyLoLiStHeSiS

That's what I have. Spawn-dee-lo-lis-thesis (do you like how I just pronounced it for you?).

I have been going to my Physical Therapist for some weeks now.

He's breaking up with me (giggle).

He told me I can still see him, but that it's time for me to see my primary doc.

The therapy isn't working as well as we all hoped for.

I have an appointment scheduled with my primary doc and then he'll probs have me go see an ortho doc.

If I see an ortho doc who knows what will happen.

I talked with my PT about surgery. :/ (This is the last thing I want to think about right now)

He said there are pros and cons about having surgery at my age.

Then again an ortho doc might say that I'm not a surgical candidate.

The only problem is the Spawn-dee-lo-lis-thesis can get worse. My vertebrae has nothing to hold onto - it's a bit fractured.

So for now, we shall wait and see what my primary doc says.

Don't go breakin' your back now ;)

*OuR nEw HoMe*

It's time for pictures of our new home (PS there are LOTS).

The front.

 Our backyard with the enclosed desk.

Down the right side is a future potential dog kennel.

Down the left side is a long driveway.

 More of the backyard. 

Plan is to grow trees along the fence for more privacy. 

 You just walked in from the garage and are standing in the laundry/pantry room.

Kitchen. Dining room. Den.

 One side of the kitchen.

 The other side (someone stole that cutting board - it matches the countertops. Grrr.)

 Laundry area and pantry.

On the other side is a half bathroom.

 Dining room.

Don't you love the yellow trim? Ha. Not!

 Main living area.

On the other side of the left wall is the dining area.

 Another view of the living room with the mysterious black curtain.

 Master bedroom in all it's 90's glory.

 Master bathroom.

Opposite side is the walk in double shower. :)

 Master closet. 

I'll admit, it's not so master in its size.

 Our future baby's room. :)

 Coat and linen closet in the "landing area" 

 "Guest" bathroom, or the main bathroom.

 Extra bedroom 

 Another extra bedroom that is currently the "master bedroom"

 The spa room in all its glory. What a great room for our little guy to hang out!

We do plan on selling the hot tub.

We couldn't be more thrilled about our new home. Yes, it needs updating but it's worth it.

We are homeowners!