...thanksgiving celebrations...

Thanksgiving has taken on many different look's throughout the years. My first memories were of us bundling up and heading to my grandparent's house in Colorado and piling into the breakfast nook in the kitchen and feasting with my cousins. As I got older and after we moved to Arizona, the holiday's would alternate each year, with some years being celebrated at home and other's with trips back to visit the fam. Either way, Thanksgiving meant celebrating with the whole family, and noshing on Grandma's delicious Maybouillon Rolls.

As I have gotten older, and started working in the retail industry, as mentioned here, Thanksgiving has taken on a different look. Since part of my job is to report to the center at 4a.m. on Black Friday, I am no longer able to go to Colorado and celebrate with the Stevenson's. Although at times this makes me "home sick", it also has given me the opportunity to celebrate with Mikis and his family. Mikis's Thanksgiving memories have been celebrating with some of his parent's closest friends, who to them have become family. Everyone arrives at the Gordon's home with side in hand and knows their in store for an afternoon of delicious food and catching up with old friend's. It's a tradition that I thankfully have been apart of for the last few years.

This year, Thanksgiving was a culmination of both of our tradition's. For our first Thanksgiving as a married couple, we held the holiday at our home. We hosted 21 people including our parent's, grandmother's, my siblings, close family friends, and family from Colorado. Thankfully, my dad and step-mom are GREAT cooks and they did the bulk of the cooking. We had a TON of food including two turkey's, one fried and one baked, and ham as well as over 8 sides. It was one of the best Thanksgiving's we've had. We had family and friends surrounding us, and it was a day filled with great food, great company and love. 

Here are a few photos from the day...



[my step-mom and her apron]

 

[the stevenson-troyan clan]

[pooped from the day]

xoxo,

R+M



...feeling thankful...

Thanksgiving is always a great time to reflect on the past year, and life in general and to feel appreciation for everything you have. It's a time to realize how lucky you truly are, and to appreciate the positives and disregard the negatives. Mikis and I have alot to be thankful for, and while sitting here writing my thankful list, I realized why do we only think about this every year, why not every month? So, moving forward each month we will feature a new list of what we are thankful for.

For now, here is a shortened list of what I am thankful for...

• Mikis: I couldn't ask for a more supportive and loving husband. He makes me laugh and inspires me to believe in my dreams and make them reality.
• My Dad: The older I get, the more I love and appreciate my dad. He is there no matter what! He is someone I can vent to, or to call for car advice. My dad is the all around “cool” dad, and a person who is hard not to like. Everyday I am thankful to have him as my dad.
• My Step-Mom: My step-mom has been in my life for 15+ years and has always treated me as her own. She is an amazing cook, a great friend and mom. She has been there for me when I needed her the most and there is not a day that goes by that I am not appreciative of that.
• My In-Law’s: I couldn’t have asked for more loving or welcoming in-law’s. Since day one, they have treated me as a Troyan, and have been even more welcoming now that I am one. They have such a warm friendly nature, now wonder why they have so many close friends!
• My Brothers: I don’t know what I would do without my brothers. These two have been through more than most humans would endure in one lifetime, and they have come out to be the coolest most positive kids around. They have a passion for life and everyday they stay with us, they show me what type of parent I want to be.
• My Sister: My sister is still growing into her own and it’s amazing to see the young lady that she is becoming. She has a passion for photography and is a tech whiz, and is there for whenever I need some helpful tips.
• Milo: Even though he can be mischievous at times, his cute face can make your heart melt. He keeps you warm when your cold, and makes me feel safe on nights the hubby is away.
• My Friends: I am SO thankful for the many incredible friendships I have been blessed with. I am thankful for the close relationships and sweet memories I have with my college girlfriends and old roommates, and I am also thankful of the new friends and bonds I have been able to make since they have moved away. I truly would be lost without any of my girlfriends.
• My Family: Even though we are spread throughout the U.S. I still have a close bond with my family, and am so thankful for that. Each celebration is sweeter with them there, and each loss is easier with them by your side. I couldn’t ask for a better set of grandmother's, aunt’s, uncles, and cousins.

This is just the beginning of a long list of what I am thankful for, but the most important things in my opinion. Take this time to reflect on what your thankful for. It’s guaranteed to give you a happiness boost!

I hope your Thanksgiving is full of great food, great family and all around love!

[happy thanksgiving from the troyan's]

xoxo,

R+M

...bah-holidays...

Don't let the title deceive you, I truly do love the holidays. Spending time with friends and family to indulging on delicious treats and spirits, to decorating the house, just the overall feeling of the holidays get's me excited. Although with the warm feelings I have for the holidays, I also have a bit of a bah-humbug spirit. You see, working in the retail world holiday time means long hours, working on Christmas Eve AND the day after Thanksgiving, as well as dealing with grouchy customers. Work wise, I dread these two months out of the year, but it helps to know I'm not the only one going through it. Tonight, while catching up on a little DVR Mikis and I watched an episode of Outsourced that I can relate to all to much (well at least the first part :)). Here is the episode that gave me a little chuckle tonight: http://bit.ly/dcS1y2.

xoxo,

R+M

...for the love of wine and girlfriends...

Although wine nights with girlfriends are always due in my book, the holiday's bring even more reason to get together with the girls and catch up. This past week a friend of mine, Teri hosted a girl's only wine and cheese night. The group was mixed with close friends, new friends and people just meeting each other. These events are one's I truly enjoy, as I mentioned here many of my close girlfriends have moved away and I am always up for meeting and gaining new ones. The night was full of fun and laughter! Definitely one to remember and relive soon. We had so much fun that we decided to make this a monthly thing, we'll see how many of us are left in the end :). Unfortunately, I had so much fun, I didn't take one photo while there, but you can see a few that Teri took on her blog at The Tale of Two Tings. 

Teri, thanks again for a FABulous evening, here's to many more in our future!

[this was my wine contribution, how cute is the name?]

...dinner with dupree...

For the last few months, one of Mikis' best friends has been staying with us while hunting for a new place to live. Throughout the last few weeks a few friends have coined Andrew with the new nickname Dupree, from the movie You, Me & Dupree. Andrew absolutely hates it, but I think it's kind of cute.

Anyway, one of the perks of having a live-in house guest is dinner nights without having to do the cooking. Last night, Andrew made Mikis and I a three course meal consisting of pasta, salad and breadsticks, YUM! It was an extra treat for me since unlike myself Mikis isn't a huge pasta lover, which means we don't have it very often. Here are a few pics from the meal.

xoxo,

R+M

...birthday wishes for papa stevenson...

Today we are sending special birthday wishes to my dad, Perry Stevenson. Growing up I always was a daddy's girl finding new ways to make my dad's birthday present's more meaningful and thoughtful. Nowaday's a handmade frame might not be as cute, but the love and thought are still behind each year's new gift and birthday wish. Here's to another fabulous year dad! Hope your celebrating with a steak and a shot of patron! We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

xoxo,

R+M

...fall cleaning...

Many people do Spring cleaning, but were a little late on that train, so this past weekend we did a little bit of Fall cleaning. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we decided it was time to check a few things off of our home to-do list. Thankfully, we had my brothers in tow who helped with some of the household chores. Were not quite done, but happy to have our garage and office cleaned out and clutter free.

xoxo,

R+M

...special suprises...

I LOVE surprises. There's something about them that gives me butterflies in my stomach and makes me somewhat giddy. Maybe it's the excitement of the unknown, or maybe it's the fact that someone took a little extra time to think of you and go that extra mile to make your day. Either way, they are certainly on my top favs.

This week, I received a very special surprise, wrapped in a beautiful Robinson bow. On Tuesday, one of my best friends Tara Robinson and her little man Brenner showed up on my doorstep to say hello. Now this wouldn't seem so special to some, except for the fact that The Robinson's live in Colorado and were in town for a last minute visit which included a special stop to see ME! I truly had no idea, and Mrs. Robinson concocted a little plan to make sure I was at home when she popped by. Let me just tell you, the shock on my face was very apparent, and I think she secretly got a kick out of it :). Not only did it make my week to see a dear friend, but this surprise came at a time I needed it most. Thankfully, I was able to have a very overdue happy hour with her, that lasted 3 hours, as well as spend some time trick-or-treating with her and Brenner. Unfortunately, Tara and I were so busy catching up on the first two visits that I forgot to snap some photos, but I made sure to get some while trick-or-treating.

Tara, you have no idea how much you made my week. Thank you for the super sweet surprise. It truly warmed my heart, made up for my crazy month, and makes me so thankful to have friends like you! Until next time my dear.....





[on our way...]



[doesn't mikis look excited?]



[mama robinson catching the whole thing on tape]



[could he be any cuter?]

[love them!]

xoxo,

R