One Happy Honeymoon on One Happy Island!

Mi dushi (that's my sweetheart in Papiamento, Aruba's native language) and I just got back from an amazing honeymoon in Aruba and it's easy to see why this place is commonly called One Happy Island! We had an absolute blast relaxing on the beach, snorkeling the Antilla shipwreck, watching the sunset on a catamaran, exploring the town and so much more! The island attractions of Aruba are truly endless and we can't wait to go back!  

Below our some honeymoon pictures for you to enjoy!

The first plane we saw when we landed, too funny! GO EAGLES!

Merry Christmas from Aruba!

I had to get my Dunkies coffee fix! I must say it tasted even better in Aruba!

On the catamaran headed to the shipwreck for snorkeling!

We went down the slide with our snorkeling gear on, so much fun!

...And off he goes!

Lookin' official in our snorkeling gear!

On the way back we relaxed on the rafts and enjoyed a nice cocktail

Representing Rocco's Pizza wherever he goes!

Even in Aruba I couldn't get away from Capitol Hill!

Enjoying his annual vacay stogie!

It's true!

Our honeymoon ornament!

Some of the shops in downtown Aruba!

One Happy Island!

Balashi, the beer of the Caribbean!

My handsome hubby!

Iggy the Iguana!

Iggy want a cracker?

The adult pool at our resort!

The cabanas in the pool area!

The view from our room!

And another view from our room!

On our balcony before the sunset cruise!

Getting ready to hop on the catamaran for our cruise!

Beautiful sunset!

Beautiful Aruban dancers!

Ahhh, Paradise!

One of our favorite beach bars!

Can we go back?!

Pool bar!

There's No Place Like Home!

Last night was the 29th Annual Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights in Annapolis and it's something I look forward to every year. Unfortunately, I've missed the parade for the past two years because starting in 2009 the Army/Navy game date was pushed back a week and it just so happens it's now on the same day as the Parade of Lights. As much as I love the Parade of Lights there was no way we were missing the Army/Navy game. This year, however, my poor hubby had a final exam at 9 this morning so we decided not to go to the game (figures, this year it was played in DC not Philly!) Anyway, we did watch the game at home but it wasn't the same experience as you can imagine, thankfully we won for the TENTH straight year! Go Navy! Sadly for the hubs, after the game he studied the night away but that meant I would get a chance to attend the Parade of Lights with my family and friends! 

 

Oh, Annapolis, how I heart you! There really is no place like home!

Below are some (blurry) pictures from the parade last night:

I had to snap a picture of the yellow lab boat!

I loved the lighthouse boat!

Boat house lit up with a Clifford boat and the Eastport Bridge in the background.

HYSTERICAL! My favorite boat of the night, who doesn't love A Christmas Story?

BOOOO Ravens but they did do a really good job decorating.

Watching the boats go by but staying warm under the heater!

With the girls but missing the hubby!

The train docked at Ego Alley!

Cheers!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...sort of!

Mathew and I are celebrating our first Christmas as husband and wife together, but if you were to see our home up until a few days ago you wouldn't of been able to tell we were celebrating anything, except maybe a hiatus from vacuuming and dusting? Our home has been really messy lately and we.just.don't.care. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas, last year I had the entire place decorated (tree and all) the day before Thanksgiving but this year is a little different. Between the upcoming move to our first home and our honeymoon right around the corner (just 4 more days!) we've decided to take a minimal approach to decorating. And by minimal, I mean we don't even have our actual tree up, I have boxes and boxes of Christmas decor that will stay packed away until next season but we're okay with that. The last thing we want to do after we get back from Aruba is pack away all of the Christmas stuff AND everything else in this house for the big move. Ugh, moving! The word alone makes me shudder, I am not looking forward to that part, you never realize just how much crap stuff you have until you have to move! If anyone wants to help us we will pay you...in pizza and beer, of course! Anyway, I digress back to the Christmas decorations (or lack thereof)! Thanks to my wonderful Mama she has saved the day and let us borrow her mini-tree. Pre-lit? Check. Two feet tall? Check. Easy to assemble (and disassemble, more importantly?) Check. SOLD. We'll take it, thanks Mom! I promise I'll decorate more on your birthday next year 8 pounds, 6 ounces new born infant Jesus. (name that movie)

Tanner checking out the tree:

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you our Charlie Brown-like Mini Christmas Tree with ornaments and presents! 

And just because I love it so much, here's our Christmas tree from last year:

And a closeup with Gresham in the background :)

Unlike our house, Tanner and Gresham remain true to tradition and are very festive in their Christmas collars!

 

They look like this (Gresham's is red, though)

...Andddd just two more of my handsome boys in their Christmas collars:

 

  Mom! Stop taking pictures of us!