Holidays!

Well I hope your holidays were just as festive as mine were! I had tons of fun and enjoyed the company of cuddable kittens, friends in mittens, and sweet Stevie-Pie! haha.

The festivities began after work on Christmas Eve with a gathering of family friends at our place. We smashed a peppermint pig and recollected fond memories of the year, and popped open some holiday crackers to start some memories for next year. Both of these traditions root from England. Peppermint is supposedly good luck, and the large POP! from the crackers are supposed to ward off evil spirits and bring luck. I wanted to start some family traditions, since I never really had any. haha. So far, the crowd finds the traditions gay and tacky, but I'm determined to keep them going! haha. Maybe one day we will all laugh about how I wanted to start some sort of tradition. OR! Maybe over the years more traditions will just somehow fall into place. (Yes, peppermint pigs and holiday crackers will still be around.)

Our guests stayed until about 11:30PM, playing games and snacking on foods. After the guests departed, The kittens, Steve and I all opened our stockings. The cats got some new toys (Chanel's favorite is a new laser-pointer); Steve got some hot sauce, pop rocks, and some other random desk toys for work; I got a sweet new Betsey Johnson wallet, candy, a decorative owl, and some new Mocha Rose lip balm. I pleaded and begged Steve to open our presents then, but he insisted that we wait until morning. I reluctantly obliged.

The next morning, Steve woke me up at 9AM. I remember my first groggy word was 'PRESENTS?!' all excited, yet still wanting to sleep. We both got some really awesome stuff. Steve got the new season of Robot Chicken, the new Call of Duty game that he wanted, candles from White Barn in his favorite scent, and some manly man stuff (IE: Shaving cream, Shampoo/body wash stuff, and Razors). I got some really awesome books, a night sky projection kit, two owl necklaces, an electronic glass scale, and a couple wii games. After opening gifts I made some hot cocoa and we watched some movies together on Netflix until it was time to go to his parents house.

We went to Steve's parents house around 6:30PM (late of course, due to my sluggish momentum). We opened gifts and ate food. Then some of us played beer pong in the basement. It was my first time ever playing it, and I must say it was pretty awesome. I really do hate the taste of beer though, but in small amounts for the game it wasn't too bad. I love that Linzy and Brian bought the beer pong set at Sheetz. Next year, I'm feeling multiple rounds. haha.

Monday was my birthday. Turned the big 2-2. haha. Sometimes I feel so old, even though everytime I say that, someone wants to whack me in the head. haha. I requested the day off from work and enjoyed the day. Didn't really do much except shop online. I ordered a sweet new bag from thinkgeek.com. It's a cassette shaped bag. I got some other stuff, but I can't honestly remember what I got. I saw this commercial for a colossal cupcake mold for $19.95 (bigtopcupcake.com)and I really, really want it. haha. There's a free gift of 3D animal cookie cutters which is an added bonus. Though I have a feeling that if I order it, there won't be much use with it. But who knows. It just may be so awesome that I won't be able to contain the awesomeness and will have to bake a cake at least once a month. haha. It's a little ridiculous, but come on. How can you pass it up after seeing the animal cupcakes. haha. I'm totally buying it next paycheck. haha. I'm such a sucker. haha.

After wasting most of the day on the internet, Steve and I went out to eat with my friends, Nikki and Dean. We went to Red Robin (yum). It was delish! Then we all went to Target and perused the aisles. I came home with a brand new tea kettle since mine is rusting, some cake mix, some cookie mix, and a multi-color display alarm clock. My new tea kettle is so cute and green. I decided to get a new alarm clock since I can no longer hear my alarms in the morning. haha.

Tuesday was pretty cool. Slept in until 11, then met Steve for lunch at 12:30. Got my registration renewed on my car (JETTA LOVE!). Then hung out with Nikki at the mall. We picked out a dress outfit for Dean to wear on Thursday to this Croatian dinner that they're attending with family. Then I went with Nikki to her hair appointment in Willoughby. It's a really cute salon! They also act as a gallery by hanging works from local artists up for sale. I think I'm actually going to go back and get my hair done tomorrow. :) (Er, later today.)

I found this really cute bob style cut. It's shorter, which I like. I just don't look good with long hair. My hair is too fine. Once it gets a certain length (like it's at currently) it just knots and tangles and is just a real pain. I know longer hair is supposed to be easier to take care of, but I hate it. haah. I'm also thinking about dying my hair redish brown..... Or maybe just keeping it blonde, but doing some touch ups on the roots. We'll see. I've invited Ana to come with me, because I always need a second opinion. haha. Hopefully she comes with me :)

After Nikki's haircut, it was time for Steve and I to meet up with his parents for my birthday dinner. I wanted to go to the brewery, but Steve wanted to save that for a special ocassion with just us. So, he suggested Capps. It's a homely restaurant in the middle of nowhere, where the food is absolutely delicious, and the portions are large. haha. Steve wanted me to drive the Jetta, so I did. haha. We picked up his parents and began the drive. :) When we got there it was a little chilly inside, and the service was slow due the busy-ness (it's practically the only restaurant in town), but it was still a good meal. I had some salad (which I split with steve), these delicious garlic balls (oh my gosh! so good- one of my favorites), and the spaghetti and meatball special. Steve had a sub, as did his mom, and his dad had some baked ziti. Mmmmmm! I almost got a calzone, but I craved some homemade pasta and meatballs when the waitress announced the specials. The dish brought back memories of eating my favorite meal as a child (Spaghetti and meatballs) at my favorite restaurant back home (Camelot). MMmm!