Ode to my Mini...

I have a new laptop. It's not just any laptop... it's a Dell Mini. It is possibly the coolest laptop EVER :) Shane and I needed something smaller to take to class (him) and to record minutes at Board meetings (me). This laptop also has a built-in webcam and microphone - which means I can talk to my brother in Africa - or anyone else for that matter - via Skype. (Sidenote: Skype is stinkin amazing!)

The only thing I'm having to get used to is the apostrophe/quotes key being in a different spot. In order to keep this laptop so compact, the keyboard has been scaled down just a bit. I saw an HP laptop (similar to my Mini) that has a keyboard with all the keys in the same spot as a normal board, but it's not as small OR as cute as mine!! :) I can deal with one measly key being in a different location if it means I get to tote around a laptop that fits IN MY PURSE! Yes... that's right - this Mini weighs only 2.25 pounds and is the same size as a day planner. AMAZING.

So, here's to my Mini... the cutest little laptop on the block ;) Here's the Mini in front of our standard size laptop - are you kidding me?!

Family Photo Shoot

One of the Christmas presents we gave to Mom & Dad DeHaven was a family picture. They've wanted an updated one for some time now, and in September Kristen joined the family - so we thought it only appropriate to have some pictures done while we were all together! Here are a couple shots that my dear friend, Rachel, took of the family:

That's what she said...

Okay - so I know this is old and fairly ridiculous... but the "that's what she said" phrase is one of Shane's favorites. (I can't lie - I still enjoy a good zinger every now and then as well!) While we were in Jamestown for Christmas there were so many good phrases that were soon followed up by "that's what she said" by either myself, my darling husband, my brother-in-law, or my new sister-in-law. Like I said before, I know we're retarded... but it's still pretty funny. Here are some of the things that were heard over our Christmas vacation:

"Squeeze from the back to the front... it comes right out."
"I'm on top of the wood!"
"I gotta put the snake all the way down the hole."
"Can you feel my suction on it? Yeah, I can feel it!"
"Release it and see what happens..."
"I just want to put something in my mouth."
"What's wrong with this weiner?"
"Here... you take the weiner and roll it tight."

Context is everything for these statements. If you want to know, just ask! There's really no other purpose for this post than to make you laugh... so if you're reading this and find any of it funny- let me know! :)

Reindeer Ramble

Yesterday morning we ran the Reindeer Ramble - and by "we" I mean me, Shane, Natalie, & Tab. The Ramble is a 5K Run/Walk event that supports YMCA Campaign for Kids, our annual fundraiser. It was pretty cold out when we woke up... though thankfully most of us were prepared for the bitter temperatures. When we left the house it was 19 degrees and was probably about 30 degrees by the end of the race. I had on what seemed to be 15 layers of clothes to keep my body from breaking out in hives (ugh!) and was actually successful! Shane has run in these temperatures many times before so it wasn't any huge deal for him. Natalie & Tab had to borrow gloves because they don't own any... are you kidding?! How does someone not own a pair of gloves? Though I guess living in Georgia doesn't really require them. I live in a very different world coming from upstate New York! :) In any case, I was able to run just about the entire race - with the exception of one HUGE hill - and I'm pretty proud of myself! I wasn't sure how my lungs would hold up in the cold, but once we got going it wasn't too bad. After the race, the four of us got back into the car to head home and we all began coughing. You would've thought we smoked 3 packs a day the way we sounded!! It was quite an adventure - but a pretty fun one! I'm glad I ran the race this year... it was certainly more fun than sitting by and watching. You should've seen some of the costumes people had on. There are always awards given out for the most creative individual and the most creative "Santapede" team. This is a team of 3-10 people who tie themselves together and must remain connected throughout the entire race. They also must be dressed either to match, or to stay within a certain theme. There was one group dressed like the cast of "A Christmas Story" - so classic! I wish I had my camera so I could share the hilarious sights of the morning. :) But for now you'll just have to take my word for it! There was also a team of Christmas ornaments - they had large decorated discs covering their fronts & backs, as well as these silver hats that looked EXACTLY like ornament tops. I must say, whoever put those costumes together spent a lot of time and money! These people go all out :) All in all, it was an exciting morning and a great way to kick-start the day. Hope we raised lots of money this year!!