Hallmark Memories

These past few months have been a whirlwind! We have been extremely busy. My co-worker/friend said our busy schedule makes for great memories. I told her she sounded like a Hallmark card and that I was tired. But in all seriousness, she is right. We've made some great memories with our friends and family. Here is a snap shot of our recent scheunanigans!

Celebrated our 1st anniversary in Asheville, NC 

Cheered on Matt as he ran his first half marathon

Happy to have friends to share in the fun!

Matt ran with our friend Eric. They are about half-way at this point and still smiling!

Matt ran in honor of his mom, Katherine Michelle Scheuneman.

In April, I was able to visit NYC to celebrate Christie's half birthday! Here are the girls during a quick lunch.

Matt is older! Turned 28 in May. We celebrated at the Jig and Reel in Knoxville's Old City.

The buffalo bunch came to Kentucky and I drove up to see them for the day...I mean a couple hours!)

The nephews were sad Uncle Matt wasn't there.   

Family vacation! Longest vacation we've had in, well, I can't remember.

Oh and we moved to Alcoa, TN! Sweet co-workers/friends threw us a housewarming party and brought these cuties.
Left to right: Jaxon, Lindsay and Rory

Marriage Lesson - One Year Out

If marriage has taught us anything...

...it's how to be civil!

Here's too many more discoveries! Cheers!

yep. that's milk.

As a newly married couple, we have been encouraged to start our own holiday traditions. Here is what we've come up with so far! We went and picked out our first Christmas tree. We were hoping to go to a tree farm but time got away from us. Imagine that! So we settled for the tree lot in the parking lot near Krogers! 

This is the moment Matt realized that he is the man of our household and therefore, in charge of the putting the lights on the Christmas tree. He did a great job. We'll share photos in our next post.

Every year Emily hangs an angel ornament her Grandmother Boots made for her at the top of the tree and this year is no different. 

Another tradition we carried over from Emily's family is counting down 12 Days of Christmas through what else but candy! Each night we take off a piece to enjoy.

And its not Christmas without COOKIES! The first ever sister-in-love cookie-off took place last Sunday. We made toffee pretzel cookies and mint chocolate chip cookies. It'll be the first year of many!  

Octoberfun!

It's only October if it's full of chili, pumpkin (any form), costumes, football, and the beautiful Tennessee mounains. We did it all so we are feeling pretty good about October 2011. Here are some highlights. 

Carving pumpkins with friends. The ghosts belong to Emily.

Matt's fun pumpkin!

Guys from our small group take a quick pic. That's a mason jar in the back and its name is Todd Mason. 

Peter Pan and his shadow.

Found some family at the South Carolina/UT game! 

New tradition of attending SC/UT games

Matt visited Cumberland Gap on his day off. 

Is this where Volunteer orange comes from?

Papa Phil loves finding apps on his phone. Like a compass.... 

Matt stood on three States at one time.

This apparently is his favorite state.

And a rock. a reminder of the Rock. You'll have to ask Matt.

Buffalo Comes South!

The stars just happened to align and the University of Buffalo played the University of Tennessee last weekend. (or maybe it was that $900,000 check.) My oldest brother, Nick, is UB's head football athletic trainer and the family was thrilled to have our Buffalo extension travel down for an SEC game. It was great to see Nick and Erin for a hot second and spend time with Mom and Eddie. I felt a little bad for Matt though. It was my first game at UT and I had on UB/UK blue. The guy can't win except UT did win the game! 

Erin, Me and Mom! Don't worry. No one asked us for our beads.

Eddie and Mom! I like this pic.

Nick! Taunting Matt from the sidelines.

The score wasn't too bad...at first.

Nick in action!

Props to Chop Shop

So, I finally bit the bullet and chopped my hair off! Usually chopping my hair off is no big deal but this time I was a little hesitant. I think it's because I grew it out for the wedding and became weirdly attached to it. And let's be honest, having big bouffant hair is a whole lot of fun!

With a ton of prodding from my co-worker/friend, Lindsay, I decided it was time. Because I work in North Knoxville, I am a member of the North Knoxville Business and Professional Association. A few months ago I met the owner of the Aveda hair salon, Chop Shop, Cindylou Douglas. Chop Shop is located just down the street from where I work and I decided to check it out. As it turns out, they offer free hair cuts for "Locks of Love" donations. I was sold! I made my appointment and hoped for the best! 

Here is the before shot!

Tim Eisinger was my designated stylist for the day!

Chop

CHOP!

Didn't he do a great job? (I told him to act like my best friend!)

I was so impressed with Chop Shop! It all has to do with the details. For starters, Tim treated me like I was going to pay him a million dollars for my hair cut. My hair was his masterpiece. I love it when people take pride in their work. And for that, I'll be a  returning (paying) customer.  Smart man, that Tim!

And secondly, I was impressed with the entire staff and their ease. Extremely welcoming with no pretense. Surprisingly hard to find these days.

I love your shop, Cindylou! I'll be back.

Two-Day Vaca: Fall Creek Falls

Matt and I went away this weekend with Pops (also known as Matt's dad or Phil or the Patriarch) and Megan to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee. It was beautiful and quiet. So quiet, we didn't have phone reception for two days which was just fine. Sometimes it's nice to disconnect.

There is nothing like a moderate hike to show you how out of shape you are. Anyhow, the waterfall is beautiful and well worth the hike. I love how lush the greenery is around the lake and the falls. 

Even though we thoroughly enjoyed hiking, we most enjoyed Scrabble with the fam and canoeing!

Matt won!

There is so much to do at the Falls. Bluegrass concerts, cascades, pools, horseback riding, crafts (yep, crafts!) Check out more here to consider a two-day vaca!