holiday hoopla

Another family-filled Christmas has come and gone. From midnight mass at SJN, to cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, to Santa's stocking stuffers and surprises under the tree. It was a beautiful holiday at the Terminello house!

sibs before midnight mass

woke up to a white xmas!

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

christmas morning!

busy baking

traditional snowball cookies on xmas day

Next up...New Year's. For the past 5+ years, Liss has come to visit me in NOVA after Christmas. Not only have we brought in the new year together for so many years, but we have had visits full of countless other traditions as well. This year is the first year without a visit from my Glen Ellyn BFF. I hate breaking traditions...I am suuuch a traditionalist I have come to realize.

Here are some funny photo memories from the past few "Liss and Dean's Rockin' New Year's"...

HAPPY 2008!

last year of easy bake oven

photo keychains were the craft of 08

HAPPY 2009!

"mikey take our pic!"

i-de-clare-WAR



craft of 09.....?

 

crab legs for nye dinner



happy new year!



HAPPY 2010!



baking some funfetti

just another night at the wheatley's



last nye together



craft of 2010=best yet!



As far as bringing in the new year of 2011 goes, I still don't know what is in store. We will just have to wait and see. I miss you Liss. HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!



fab4's christmas extravaganza

Every year, the fab4 hosts an annual secret santa gift exchange. Some years we include others, but for the past two years it has just been the 4 of us. Last year, we went to Reston Town Center, had Clyde's for dinner, and exchanged secret santa gifts at the restaurant. After, we took pictures by the Christmas tree and other trees in RTC.

This year, however, we elaborated on our Christmas festivities a little. First, we went to Julia's house to take pictures by her Christmas tree and other decorations.

While we were there we called ahead to PF Changs (where we were having dinner), and they informed us that it was going to be about an hour and a 45 minute wait. We didn't believe them, so we headed to Fairfax Corner. Sure enough, we waited in the front of PF Changs for about an hour and a half to be seated. Since this was the first time the fab4 had been together since Thanksgiving, we had lots to talk about so the wait didn't seem too bad. Except for the fact that we were all STARVING.

At about 7:50 we finally were seated. We quickly looked over the menu and decided on the the 3 dishes we wanted to split. Chicken Lo Mein, Crispy Honey Shrimp, and Mandarin Chicken. YUM! To keep our minds off of just how hungry we were, we decided to do secret santa while we were waiting. This year was great because we had NO IDEA who any of each other had. Last year there were a few cheaters in the group (Katie and Julia). As it turned out, this year I had Kelsey, and Katie had me! I got the softest teddy bear from Brookstone holding a Dooney and Bourke wallet/key ring. It was perf. Thanks again KZ!

Pretty shortly after we opened presents and guessed who our secret santa was, the food came. We ate in aboutttt 2 minutes. Funny how you wait 2 hours to eat and then spend only 2 minutes eating. At any rate, we can all admit that the food was delish, the gifts were adorable, and the company was the best of all!

After dinner we were planning on going outside and taking outdoor pictures in front of the Fairfax Corner Christmas tree for tradition sake. However, we were all in skirts and dresses and the weather was FREEZING with the gusty winds, so we nixed that idea real quick. We ran to the car, Katie and Julia in flats and Kelsey and I in heels (struggling). So typical.

Finally we made it to the car, which was parked in probably the farthest place possible from PF Changs...convenient. We all just couldn't wait to throw on some sweats and bake, bake, bake!

This year, we were baking Christmas cookies for the homeless. We made Christmas trees, snowflakes, wreaths, candy canes, stockings, etc! Soooo many sugar cookies.

Clearly the sugar got to us and resulted in endless laughter and craziness. KZ and I are to blame for that mayhem. We had snuck just a little too much cookie dough, and had a few laugh attacks (to say the least) that resulted in tears for KZ and rolling on the floor laughter for me. Times like these are the ones I live for though. I don't think any of us laugh like that with ANYONE else. I love my best friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAB4!!!!

welcome home deebz

Last night, my bff Danielle Brown (aka Deebz) arrived in NOVA! After a 2 or 3 hour flight delay from Orlando to Dulles, she finally made it! Erin, Fish, and I all went to pick her up from the airport, which was a pretty interesting experience to say the least. Since there was so much snow on the runway, Deebz didn't get off her plane for like 45 minutes. So basically we drove around the loop at Dulles airport for forever. Then we decided we should venture out and wait at the "Cell Phone Waiting Area", which I never even knew existed...promising. Naturally, we got lost trying to find our way to that unknown parking area. And by the time we did find it, Deebz was getting her luggage at baggage claim. Oops! So we drove back around the loop and finally parked outside the jetblue arrivals door. A few minutes later, our Deebz came walking out...YAY!!! We were all so overwhelmed with excitement that we happened to be blocking a little asian family and many other cars by parking Erin's car in the outer loop. So Deebz hurried out at loaded her HUGE two 52 pound suitcases (for 2.5 weeks) into the trunk and we scurried out of there. Already quite an adventure!

After that initial excitement, we stopped by Erin's house to drop off Deebz's suitcases for the week since she is staying with Erin first. Then we went to the one and only Glory Days! It felt like high school again. Deebz and Erin got shark attacks (shirley temples). Except to our surprise, instead of getting sharks they got holiday duckies in their drinks! Fish  and I just got water, of course. For dinner, Deebz and I had boneless Glory wings, and Fish and Erin got burgers. So American, yumm! We stayed at Glory Days for probably about 2 hours just because we didn't want to leave.

Finally, we made our way to the car to head home. We stopped at my house first and ended up staying there for like another 2 hours. We talked to the Terms, ate brownies, reminisced on OHS DT days, and then decided to whip out the end-of-the-year dance team dvds. I must say, they were HILARIOUS! I don't think we have ever laughed as hard as we did in a long, long time. We watched 2007 and 2008. Let me just say it is amazing how much better the team gets every year! Oh my goodness.

Well, I am pretty disappointed I don't have any pics to put on here yet. But it is only Day 1 of the Deebz Adventures Series. We successfully wrote out a list of all the things we want to accomplish while Deebz is visiting, and I am sure we will have lots of funny pics to share on the CAT's meow soon. Stay tuned, and stay warm...

well hello, jack frost

Beep beep beeeeep went my alarm at 6:00 this morning. I don't think I have woken up that early for school since my freshman year of high school. It was dark out. And the wind was howling so loud I thought the walls were going to collapse. I had my FINAL final exam at 7:45am. Not only was it the WORST timing for an Econ final, but also the WORST possible weather to battle on the way. At 7:00 this morning, it was about 12 degrees in Blacksburg, with a wind chill making it feel like -9. WHAT?!

After eating breakfast and taking my time getting ready this morning, I bundled up to face the frozen tundra. I walked outside of Rutherford and waited at the bus stop for a good 10 minutes. With no bus in sight, I became a little concerned that it wasn't going to show up. I pulled out my bus schedule, and it said the first bus time check was 7:15. 

So I walked up to look across the street to see if I had missed the bus coming to my stop. Sure enough, there was the Patrick Henry bus waiting at the time check. It was 7:13, I had 2 minutes to get from point a to point b. I ran as hard as I have ever run to make it across the street and down the hill to the bus JUST in time. Keep in mind that the wind was blowing SO hard against me I almost fell to the ground about 3 times on the way over. It sounds funny now, but at the time I couldn't breathe, my throat was so dry I am pretty sure I was coughing up blood, and my heart was pounding at the thought of missing my final exam that was worth 40% of my Econ grade.

Upon getting on the bus, I sat in shock for the 10 minutes it took to get to campus. It was way too early to have gone through all of that. My body was still thawing from the treacherous sprint to the bus, and I still had about a 7 minute walk from the bus stop on campus to my exam room. So I battled the elements again, the wind blowing, my fingers and toes numb, and jack frost biting at my face. This morning was unreal. I am laughing about it now as I type this, had to share this story with all my blogfrogs. Cheers to the end of a great semester and a wonderful winter break ahead!

finals freak out

It's that time of year again. And no, I don't mean Christmas time this time. Before Christmas comes finals. And before finals comes studying, studying, and more studying. It is not the most joyful of seasons, to say the least. But everyone gets through it, and heads off to winter break without a care in the world!

Trace Adkins' song, "You're Gonna Miss This", came on my ipod tonight while I was studying for my last final, Econ. It really made me slow down and just reflect on my life for a little. My 3rd semester here at Virginia Tech is coming to a close. Only 5 more left. I certainly have no regrets on my college career thus far. I am doing everything I ever dreamed I would do at this school, and more! However, this song serves as a great reminder to take every last minute in (even all the hard work and studying for finals). Because, after all, you're gonna miss this...

até mais

As promised, I am dedicating this blog post to my best guy friend, James Wheatley. James is leaving on Wednesday, December 15th to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is going to be in Porto, Portugal speaking Portuguese for the next two years. CRAZY! Look out Portugal, you've got one fine missionary coming your way!

"God doesn't give you the people you want. He gives you the people you need. To help you, to hurt you, to love you, to leave you and to make you the person you were meant to be."

The journey all began our junior year of high school in Mr. Moore's 3rd period Physics class. From staying after school to collaborate on extra credit Physics labs to picking me up from Sutton in the mornings so I didn't have to walk in the cold, I immediately knew James was someone I could count on.

Since junior year we have definitely had some ups and downs, like any friendship does. In times where I have doubted our relationship, my mom even reminded me to "have a little faith in James", haha. But I am so proud of how we've handled everything throughout the years. It has been so cool to see how much both James and I have matured since our high school days, and I really think that is what has made our friendship so strong.

There is seriously NEVER a dull moment with this boy!

He knows how to make just about anyone laugh and feel uncomfortable at the same time...

...is always up for a Wendy's or McDonald's run...

...always has a funny story to tell....

...and can do work in the kitchen making no bakes, muddy buddies, and occasionally a breakfast sandwich or two!

James and I have made so many fun memories that it is literally impossible to list them all. However, here are just a few (big and small) adventures that I know I will never forget...

BEST TO BRING HOME

Oakton 09's finest.

ROAD TRIPS

From the Trailblazer to the Wheater, we have taken joy rides, stress rides, long rides, and short rides. Always with James as the driver!

VIRGINIA BEACH

In August, James, Cam, Deebs, Julia, and I drove down to VA Beach for the day. Although we spent more of the day in the Wheater (with Cam throwing up) than at the beach, I'd say it was a very successful beach trip!

WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE

Lindsay and Nick came to visit us over the summer. We had an action packed day, starting with a visit to the temple! 

GEOCACHING

Geocaching is basically treasure hunting in the woods of NOVA. It quickly became a fav summer activity. On this adventure I found the geocache and screamed SO loud. James hated me because I alarmed the "muggles". 

VIRGINIA TECH vs. BOISE STATE

This year, the Hokies played Boise at FedEx field in September. I came home from school for the weekend and James and I made an adventure out of it. One of my favorite memories for sure, I love sharing my Hokie spirit!

Thank you James for teaching me more about friendship, patience, and faith than I could have ever learned without you. You have made such a significant impact on my life, and I know that I would not be who I am today without this friendship. These past three years have been an unforgettable journey, and I know it doesn't end here. Do big things out there in Portugal, and I will see you in two years!!

the first snow!

Today was the first REAL snow in Blacksburg. I woke up, looked outside, and it was a winter wonderland. Soooo pretty! It was the perfect day to just stay inside and relax....welllll, unfortunately there is NO such thing as relaxing until after finals. Instead, Elyssa and Aaron came over and we worked on Religious Ethics, Astronomy, and Aaron put Windows 7 and Office 2010 on my laptop.

outside my window at rutherford

what a beautiful sight

There were so many great wintery things to do this during this past week too. On Tuesday, SAA had our winter banquet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Who knew the Inn got so festive for Christmas?! Katie and I were so pleasantly surprised and impressed. There were so many Christmas trees sponsored by companies located all over Blacksburg. Great photo opportunities!

On Thursday, Alpha Phi had a social with GC that was themed "tacky xmas". KJ, Julie, and I drove out to Walmart and got some sweet, tacky Christmas sweatshirts and red bows for our hair. I love spreading Christmas cheer!

merry, merry christmas