- Christmas Day -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

Santa found this married man at his momma's house! ;) We had a great Christmas with the Flemings, Stierens, and Beelers. (...And I spent Christmas night delivering little Baby Jesuses at Mercy!)

Other week highlights: 

-- We had a wayyyy overdue visit with the Zieglers and Wagahoffs! So much fun to catch up with them + we got to see all Anna's new toys from Santa! :)

- Merry Christmas -

The gifts are wrapped and waiting under our baby tree! 

All that's left now is to send peace, [married] love, and joy...

...and wish you a very Merry Christmas! 

- Sam's Steakhouse -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

My baby is 32! We celebrated his [real] birthday night at his parents' house in Mt. Olive. Seriously, what beats a home-cooked meal by your momma!?  The weekend dinner date was at his favorite restaurant, Sam's Steakhouse. Of course, our waiter was the wonderful Piero. :) Thanks to all who made B's birthday so special! 

Other week highlights: 

-- We finished our [very LAST minute] Christmas shopping! Hoorah! 

-- Brian headed to the Illini/Mizzou Braggin' Rights game in St. Louie. Illini lost, but who's keeping score? ;) 

- Tilles Park -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

There's nothing like a drive through Tilles Park to get someone in the Christmas spirit! You'd think that I'd have been here before [especially considering the fact that I've spent 6 Decembers in St. Louis], but this was the first time for both of us.  We loved it! 1,000,000+ lights draped over trees, bushes, and archways...yes, please! 

Other week highlights: 

-- We had dinner and drinks with great friends! Neither of us had been to Tony's in Alton before, but we will definitely be returning.  Thanks for a great night Matt & Steph and Marko & Emma! 

-- Brian's Uncle Ted and Aunt Amy had an open house holiday party. We had a great time there, too! This was a week filled with great family and friends and LOTS of Christmas spirit! 

- Christmas Cheer Is Here -

We may be [literally] living on top of each other in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, but there is still plenty of room in our home for Christmas cheer!  We decorated our small space this year with lots of wedding gifts from lots of very generous people! :)

We love our 4-foot tree from Tommy and Chelsea + the red and silver glittery ornaments from Steve and Margy!  One of the most thoughtful gifts, and it fits our apartment's color scheme perfectly! 

The tree is filled with ornaments we adore.  Three favorites: 

"This day calls for big girl shoes!"  A sweet reminder of the best day of our lives + my fair queen friends. Thanks, Alicia! 

Oh Maui, how we miss you! :(

A crazy wonderful wedding gift from Brian's siblings: a helicopter ride over Hawaii!  We will never forget it. Thanks Laura, Sarah, Lisa, Brant, and Garett!

My parents bought this nativity set in Rome when they came to visit at the end of my semester abroad. I can't look at it without missing the Eternal City dearly and also remembering how that semester pushed me forward in the faith.  Isn't it mind-boggling that the hope for eternal life and the savior of the world came as a sweet baby?  Hand-picked with love and blessed by the Pope; I love it.

We believe in the season! Thanks, Bill and Julie.

We are spending Christmas Eve and Day this year with both of our families.  Christmas cheer and blessings to you and yours! 

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."  -- Calvin Coolidge

- Mannheim Steamroller -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

I've been waiting to spoil this secret since I bought the tickets September 7!  Mannheim Steamroller is one of my dad's favorite bands, not to mention they know how to make some PHENOMENAL Christmas music. As soon as I caught wind of their tour stopping at the Fox, I was counting down until "opening day" at the box office.  We gave the tickets to my parents as their Christmas gift. Add a nice dinner at Vito's Italian restaurant down the road, and wah-lah. 

Oh, did I mention we were in the FRONT ROW behind the orchestra section?! Magical night! 

Other week highlights: 

-- Our professional wedding photos are finished! We picked up the CD of images + a proof book from our photographer. CLICK HERE to see the sneak peek on her website!

-- Grandma turned 82!! My mom had a dinner party for her at our house. Fun times with the family! 

- Blue Man Group -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

Welcome to the very first "Sum-It-Up Sunday!"  In an effort to keep my blogging habitual + keep you updated on our ever-changing lives, I will be [shortly] summarizing our week on Sundays! 

This past Wednesday, we saw Blue Man Group with Marko and Emma.  We had dinner at Seamus McDaniel's and then headed for the Fox.  The show was bright, loud, and [of course] entertaining!  I won't be forgetting the blue man anytime soon, as there is a blue smudge of him always traveling on my white coat's right shoulder! ;) 

Other week highlights: 

-- I got my new Social Security card and am officially "Bridget Renee Fleming!"

-- Brian traveled to Chicago for 2 days on a business trip.

-- We were honored guests of the Bed Bath & Beyond buy-out.  The store was opened after-hours for newly married couples, and we purchased everything left on our registry with a 20% discount!  We love BB&B! They are so accommodating and organized and wonderful.  Cheers to having a complete set of new dishes!