No more Chandler Bing!....well almost

If you have ever seen the TV show "Friends" and you have met my husband - you'll know that Chandler and Griffin are sometimes very much alike.   They are both funny, witty, smart and charming.  Neither one likes the Thanksgiving meal and both have Foosball tables instead of a real eating table.  Well today that all changed!   Well, not all of it but the Foosball table part did.    

The Foosball table was ceremoniously moved down to the basement and we have a brand new beautiful dining room table in our dining room.   I am sure every once in awhile we'll miss having the Foosball table in there - but the room does look so much better with a real table.  This will be a table that we will have forever.  It will grow old with us.  We can't wait to host dinner parties and family dinners....this table will be well used.  (Although not yet - I am too afraid to bring any food or liquid anywhere near it yet!)     :)

Here are some pictures of the table, although it looks much better in person!

A shot of the side chairs

A shot of one of the two end chairs

Decorating for Christmas

Yesterday Griffin and I spent the evening decorating the house for Christmas.  We put on a Christmas movie, put the tree together and enjoyed watching the snow fall outside.    Our Christmas tree has a couple new ornaments this year and it is so exciting to watch our collection grow.  Every year we decorate the tree it is a chance to remember - each ornament is a memory.  We have some from college, some from vacations, some from family and friends and some that we purchased together.   I love to see our ornament collection grow.

Our Willow Tree nativity

Trying to get a picture of the tree with the lights turned on

Our Christmas tree

One of our first "The Ewalds" ornament - from my sister Meredith

Thanksgiving

Griffin and I spent Thanksgiving with family in Chicago.   It was a busy couple of days - but full of fun, family and GREAT food.   Thursday we spent the day with my family at my parents' house.   My mom has made Thanksgiving dinner every year for as long as I can remember.   This year she cooked two turkeys, tons of potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and everything else you can imagine.   She prepares for weeks for this one day and the end result is certainly a reflection of all that hard work.  Then Saturday we went to Marcus and Kathy's house to spend Thanksgiving with Griffin's family.     Kathy did a fabulous job with the meal.   I ate until I was full and then ate some more.   The food was so good it was hard to stop eating.

Our nephews and niece were their usual cute selves.   Below are some pictures from the weekend.

Matt "cooking"

Jack

Griffin and Kathleen

Sydney enjoying pita chips and dip

Sydney and her grandma Paula

Winter is Here!

Early this morning Milwaukee received it's first official snow of the year.   A couple weeks ago we received some flurries - but nothing that really covered the ground enough to be considered the first snow (by my standards I guess!).   

Snow really does make the world sparkle.   I love the way our house looks blanketed by snow:

Divine Romance

Griffin and I have so many great memories from the wedding.   We were blessed with such a great day that we are able to fondly look back at almost every moment.   

I think my favorite part of the whole day, by far, was the ceremony.   It was such a personal and spiritual experience for the two of us.    We loved the ceremony site, the guests, the readings and the music.   Even though it has been 2+ months I still cannot stop singing the song my dear friend Dave sang for us during the lighting of the unity candle and communion.   It is a song by Phil Wickham called "Divine Romance".   I have been thinking about this song alot lately so I thought I would add it to the blog.

Also, I want to give a big "THANK YOU!!" shout out to Dave Fladung.   It meant so much to Griffin and me to have him sing at our wedding.  He is such a dear friend with such an amazing talent.   His music was a blessing to us and a sweet addition to the ceremony.

Our close friend, Dave Fladung, singing at our wedding

The Celebration Continues......

This weekend Griffin and I had a local wedding celebration in Morton, Illinois.  Griff's parents, Rudy and Paula, hosted the reception at their country club.  It was a GREAT party.  Griffin and I spent the night talking with guests so we didn't get to take many pictures, but here are a couple below:   

My Mom, Me and My Mother-in-law

The delicious dessert spread.  Thank you Desserts Unlimited!

Sydney mesmerized by The Wiggles on her portable DVD player

The next day - Sydney enjoying a box from one of our wedding gifts

Pumpkin Carving

Last year Griffin and I carved our first pumpkin together.   It turned out great!   Last year we carved a pumpkin in honor of Marquette so this year was in honor of Indiana.    Not sure what next year will be.......!?!?

This year's pumpkin - Go IU!

Last year's pumpkin - Go MU!