Last weekend was Ceci's bachelorette party in Chicago. We had a great time and her friends from WI were so sweet and it was great to finally meet all of her friends. Stupid me though, as soon as I got there I realized my camera was dead and I forgot the charger. Le Sigh. But, its probably for the better because I had a little too much fun. We had a great dinner at a tapas restaurant and then out to the bars for the night. Somehow we ended up in a limo and all made it home.

The next morning I got up and got on a flight to Nashville to see Cam's family in TN. We had a great lunch as soon as I got there with the whole family.

The next day we went and saw Avatar in IMax-3D. I swear that would ruin you from seeing regular movies: it was fabulous. I didn't think I would like it--I had it in my head that it would be a video game movie. But, it was really good and we all enjoyed it.

We had a big christmas with his family. His sister, dad and I were all sick with a stomach bug so that made it a little more subdued than normal. But, it was a lot of fun to see his nephew open up all his christmas toys. He just turned one on Dec 23rd so he is at such a fun age. He got a super cute four wheeler he can sit on that lights up and a john deere tractor that he can ride around. Cam and I were also spoiled: we got a ton of fabulous things for the house, he got new nike plus running shoes and a deer stand (for some reason he was excited about that) and a new garbage disposal (I was dying for one). Our families are too good to us!

Here's our Christmas card to share with you all--I was excited to finally be able to use our snowy engagement pictures. We hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful day and that Santa brings everything you desire.

Merry Christmas and lots of love,
C and Lauren

I just realized I hadn't put any pictures of our house decorated, so here are a few. Between finals and all our trips right now, we didn't have time to put up too much, but at least its a little festive.

Detail of Cam's stocking. His aunt stitched it for him when he was born.

C went to Germany for business for two weeks and actually flew into Detroit and met us there for the concert. I am so insanely jealous of his trip: he got to go to Munich, Austria, Jena, and then to Heidelberg to see his brother and his family. It is my absolute dream to go over one year for Christmas.

Here are a few pictures from his trip:

Munich's Rathaus (city hall)

The view from C's room in Munich (so jealous).

The view from his hotel room in Berghausen, Austria of the longest Castle in Europe.

Berghausen.

C with his nephew.

C's brother and his wife made a wonderful thanksgiving dinner. His niece helped with the turkey.

C and his brother in Heidelberg.

Cam, Drew, Julie and I went up to Detroit a few weeks ago to see a Bruce Springsteen concert at the Palace. I have never been to a more energetic concert! I just hope I have that much energy when I am his age--he literally did not take a single break for the entire three hour concert. He did have a moment for a few songs where the thought he was in Detroit, OH, but he's forgiven. We couldn't take pictures ourselves (no camera policy), but here a few pictures from the concert I found on the web.

We also went across river to Windsor and enjoyed a night in Canada. It was a lot of fun, even if it was a little expensive (the dollar is just so weak).

all I want for Christmas is to live through finals. I've given up asking for good grades, I'm now just hoping that I can survive. I hate how it puts such a damper on the holiday season to be studying and stressed. At least after this semester I will be halfway done.

Here's a good video from my friend Steve's blog to describe how I feel: