Cheers to 2014

Happy New Year! I can't believe how quickly the year flew by - especially the last few months with the holidays. I always look forward to the new year - just the possibilities of what could happen are endless. New adventures, new beginnings, new opportunities, and maybe a new dog? Just kiddinggg...sort of! And I decided to scrap resolutions this year because I don't end up following through with any of them - so I'm going to focus on being a good wife and friend, a loving pup-mom, and pursuing more of my interests in my free time.

I've been so swamped that I haven't been able to post about my amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also did a pretty terrible job about taking photos over the holidays - well, I guess that's just me living in the moment nowadays!

Thanksgiving was at our home for the first time ever. And boy - it was a lot of work! But it was so much fun hosting. Josh's mom, brother, and brother's girlfriend drove down from Maine to be with us. They are seriously the best! And we appreciate them making the long 10-hour trek down to Virginia, even though they were only in town for three days. Everyone helped out to make Thanksgiving dinner, each person tackling a different dish. My parents offered to make the turkey at their house and bring it over so that we could focus on everything else - which I seriously owe them because cooking a turkey kind of scares me! Before Josh's family left, we of course had to visit a few wineries - Barrel Oak Winery (my first time there) and another one of my favorites, The Winery at Bull Run.

Gorgeous view from Barrel Oak Winery.

Now Christmas was definitely a much needed vacation! We were able to spend 10 full days up north - which is such a luxury nowadays. Usually when we visit Maine, we are only there for a handful of days, so it was nice to be able to relax, enjoy ourselves, and not feel too rushed. I get to see my family anytime I want and I know how much of a sacrifice it is for Josh to only see his family 3-4 times a year. We definitely took advantage of our time there! Josh's mom had a lovely Christmas party at her house - so it was perfect to see everyone that was important to Josh and to us all in one place. And let's not forget about Josh's favorite sandwich shop, Amato's - we ordered from there pretty much every single day of our trip. He swears by their pickles.

Vega playing in the snow in Portland, Maine.

New Year's Eve was very low-key this year - which is just how I like it! We went out to dinner with our friends, then hung out at home and watched the ball drop with our favorite furry human. Overall, we had such an amazing year! In 2013, we went to seven weddings, Josh traveled to India for work, and we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. We are even more excited for what 2014 has to offer.

January is already starting to become crazy, but I am embracing all of the craziness with open arms. Josh and I started the Whole30 plan, which we wanted to do last year but it never matched up with our schedule. It will definitely be challenging, especially when it comes to social outings with the no alcohol (a girl needs her wine every now and then!) - and for me at least, the no dairy (obsessed with cheeseeeeee). Super Bowl will be the first day that we'll be able to enjoy an adult beverage - and hopefully the Patriots will be playing that day (bummed my Redskins didn't do too well this season - oh well, HAIL!).

Something that I am going to get done early this year and am so, so, so excited about is my office! We have a little bedroom upstairs that we haven't done anything with yet except paint - so it's going to be our/my office, or better yet - my craft room! Eeek! I am currently looking for a chair, bookcase, and some prints for the wall. Josh said he thinks that he'll never see me again once that room is done, and has already dubbed it as my "apartment." Can't wait to post my progress with the office as the next few weeks come along!

Cheers to 2014 and I hope everyone has a great start to this beautiful new year!