Christmas is upon us and we are gathering presents galore for our Christmas extravaganza with both the Moran and the Hoffman families. I for one am VERY enthused to have more than one day off for Christmas and to be with both families (EVERYONE home!!! hooray!). We continue to be amazed at God's grace and his provision for us in so many ways - above and beyond what we need.
We recently became card-holders at our local library. This is exciting for two reasons: 1. we like to read :) 2. The library gives out passes/discounts to the major (and not so major) museums in the area. Yesterday we took advantage of this for the first time and went to the New England Aquarium at the Boston harbor. Instead of paying the normal $20/person, we only paid $8/person. SHA-BANG! I love a good bargain!
It has been years since either of us have been to an aquarium and we had fun checking out the various species of underwater world. Some fish are craaazy!
Their main exhibit was a penguin exhibit. I have a special place in my heart for penguins due to the fact that they are ultra cute and my friend Allison has worked with them. So, when I see penguins, I think of Allison...and this makes me happy. Here are some pics:
The sting ray and the scary neon green eel:
Aren't these fish HUMONGOUS?!
We also checked out the big Christmas tree at Quincy market. Oddly enough, when we asked a couple to take our picture, they took a picture of us with our camera and then with THEIR camera. Not sure why they wanted a picture of two strangers...
This past Fall we have been working, hanging out, drinking coffee, and doing the church/soul care thing. We really like having Matt's brother Chris nearby. With him we enjoy comparing notes on Seinfeld episodes, talking baseball and the Bills, watching the Bills games, going to church together and hearing Chris' stories of college life- pranks, food points (or lack there of), roommates and intramural dodgeball (to name a few). The Thanksgiving road trip to Buffalo with him was also fun (while also being rather long and exhausting).In September, my wonderful friend J. B. got married. It was great to be home, to hang out with Mom and Dad and some old high school friends and to see J.B. be very much in love.
My friend Allison from college visited this Fall! Hooray! We walked ALL over the city - downtown, the North End, Mike's Pastry (cannolis!), the business district, the harbor, the Common, Chinatown, Cambridge, Harvard...etc. We really should have bought a map (other than the T map we were using). We wandered around a lot in random neighborhoods, but we definitely 'saw' Boston! - probably more of Boston than normal people would ever need or want to see. :) Thanks for coming, Allison! Oh! Do take note- the "Houghton Library" shown below is located at Harvard University. Very cool. :) Here are some pics:
Hmmm....
Matt has been working ultra hard doing stats this Fall and Winter at Gordon. He is also working on a major paper for class that's due this week. He will also soon be working on a sermon to give at Calvary Gospel (in Utica) after Christmas.
For Thanksgiving we traveled to Buffalo to be with the Morans. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures over the break, but to give you a recap: We ate delicious food, celebrated Matt's birthday, hung out with family, visited Granny's new home, watched UB beat Temple, played some late-night poker games, watched the Bills game, and relaxed.
Hopefully this gives you a much needed update. Here's to a glorious Christmas season!
