Anyone else's pants a little snug today?

Happy post Christmas festivities, everyone! As usual, Grdina fun centered around food, and those new clothes I got are a little bit tight today. I hope everyone finds a little time to relax before the new year rolls in. Here are a few shots from my holiday fun!

Madeline will always get the most excited about Christmas. Despite being 23, she still gets as excited as when we were little!

I got "A Photo A Day" album. New Year's resolution #1? Take a photo a day!

(nice feet, Gen)

New reads! Yum!

Aren't they just so married? 

The day wouldn't be complete without a shoot with Bailz. Doesn't the light above the table look like a tiny halo? I love it! 

Sister is back in America

The time finally came for Madeline to arrive back on American soil. Hooray! After a year and a half teaching English in South Korea, she is back for a little bit to celebrate the holidays. 

We got to the airport and the screen said Madeline's flight had already landed, but the sign never told us what gate she was coming into. So, the rents and I stood and waited in the middle. Ma started crying the minute we saw she landed, so I suggested we take some pictures to pass the time... 

And before we knew it, she snuck up behind us... 

...Who could have foreseen,  I was the one to lose it at the airport. Guess I missed her more than I realized! 

Bailz was probably the most excited to see Madeline. We worried she might not remember her, but that wagging tail proved otherwise. 

Here's to a wonderfully long, family-filled vacation!

Sisters united again in Bloomington

Friends, last week was absolutely insane school-wise. However, it all led up to an awesome weekend with my older sister Genevieve. Check out some of the fun we had around town!

Gen brought chocolate mustaches from New York, and my mom sent a flat Madeline. My middle sister Madeline has been teaching English in South Korea since last August. The whole family has not been reunited since her college graduation in May 2010, I do believe.  

Last August, Madeline and I made a trip to NYC to visit Genevieve before she headed to Korea. It was an especially special visit having Gen here in Bloomington. Next up? The whole fam is to be reunited this Christmas! The anticipation is nearly killing my mother!

Of course a stop to Bloomington Bagel Company was one of the first on the list!

And candy was a must! 

A trip to Bloomington wouldn't be the same without Mother Bear's Pizza.

And we wrapped up the weekend with a stop at Runcible Spoon - a cute breakfast nook where you're practically elbow to elbow with the people next to you. I couldn't help but wonder if the quiet family of three beside us was eavesdropping... 

I hope you all had lovely weekends and enjoyed the pictures from mine! 

Happy birthday, sis!

A very happy birthday to my sister Genevieve today! 

I usually get asked a lot if I hate sharing my birthday, do you? Granted, I wasn't too happy when you were the big 2-1 on my sweet 16, I wouldn't have it any other way! There's always someone to call, and share the fun of your birthday! So, here's to rocking our twenties together!

p.s. How related do we look here? Answer: super related!

p.p.s. I'm definitely taller. 

National Parent's Day

I just uploaded some pictures, and found these gems on my Mom's camera. I've yet to sit down and hear all the tales about their trip to NYC, but the photos had me laughing and "aww"ing whilst viewing them. 

The UK has an entire week devoted to celebrating family. Who knew! The U.S. has national Cherry month, Penguin Awareness Day, and even Grandparents Day! Now, according to Mad Man Mike, I'm approximately one day early for National Parent's Day. Excellent.

So, here's a post dedicated to the rents and their recent trip. Madeline, I hope you get a kick out of some of these :) 

...Moments before Mom got worried. Anyone see the airplane scene in "Bridesmaids"? Yup. That would be her!

That's my Dad and sister. 

He's a pretty jolly guy. And we like that about him. 

That's my Ma. If Mrs. Weasley was American, I'd like to think she would resemble my mom. 

My parents kind of oddly match all the time. How married, right? 

They like old things. Like this stone block. And each other! (Did I mention they're kind enough to put up with my humor?)

Even Sir Grdina can admit to needing a map. 

Thats 3/5 of ma fam! What a bunch!

Huh. This pose looks familiar... 

Did I mention my family likes posing with food? What can we say! Mom likes to capture every moment!

 And sometimes that can get a little annoying... 

But at the day's end, they're always there to lean on each other. 

And that's why we love them! So, Happy Almost Parent's Day, friends! Maybe it's the Greg Laswell playing in the background, but family always gets me all sentimental. And if you're not as close to yours as you'd like to be, then you can always share mine! Heavens knows there is plenty of love to go around, and I heard Ma just got a new memory card. 

How convenient!