Guy Family Christmas

This year we had my dad's side of the family over for Christmas- usually we have it at my Grandma Guy's but she can't "do it all" anymore. We had fun being hosts for the day eating lots of food, drinking egg nog, and playing games with the family. Justin was a good sport throughout all the "family togetherness" :) Does he look a little tired? haha

Mom & I next to all the food....hmmmmm how'd that happen!?

All the guys got hunting hats this year- so it was only appropriate to take this picture! So funny!

I decided to humor Justin and wear his.....do I look like a hunter woman?

Everyone somehow fit in our tiny space by the fireplace! After several timed camera flashes and switching places many times...we got this picture! We were missing a few kids but it was a good day and everyone had fun being together. Right Justin? :)

We are now 2 days from London!!!! I may not have another post until my return....but you can bet A LOT of posts will come after. Merry Christmas to everyone & Happy New Year! Love, E & J

Britten Banners Rave!

This year Darcy Britten (we're in the masters program together) invited all of our WMU cohort to her annual Britten Banner Xmas party- this years theme: Rave! She and her husband Paul Britten throw a Christmas party each year for their customers and employees, and friends & family! We were "on the list" this year as Counselors. So cool! There were between 300-400 people there. Glowing necclaces, rings, and bracelets were handed out at the door along with flashing drink cups with your choice of festive beverage. Two bars, a very good DJ playing 80's music, snacks, and good company. The night was a total BLAST!

Justin was flashy in his shiny black shirt and pants :) He even wore the glowing ring!

Stacey Hiltz and I chose the necclaces and festive drinks! She drove all the way from Lake City to party with us!

Kim wore her festive green shirt to the Rave....I stuck with a little black dress which was perfect for the occasion. (though a little hard to dance in)

Here is Darcy. She is our unofficial Cohort 9 "mom". She is adorable, smart, beautiful, and SO caring of us all. I am lucky to know her and call her my friend :) Thanks for a smashing party Darcy! We love you.

You're looking at 5 future counselors! Starting from the top going clockwise is Mike (he's a great guy, and one of the only in our cohort-community counseling), Stacey- also community counseling, Me- school counselor, Kim- community counseling for now...maybe school later, and Jackie-Hollistic counseling. Look us up in a couple years! It was great to bring everyone together outside of the classroom- along with our signigicant others as well. A chance for everyone to meet and hang out! Good times were had by all- I danced almost EVERY song too! (shocking I know) Merry Christmas!

Another semester down...

Well, I have no picture to post for this entry....but just a little update for you all. Another semester has passed, and boy did it seem to fly! Justin completed 4 online courses through NMC (with lots of work and projects), and I completed 3 more grad courses at WMU. In fact, tonight I received my grades and was happy to see two A's and a CR- for credits (pass/fail class). Hoooray!! The pass/fail class was actually the hardest of the three believe it or not. My cohort and I sweated it out for 3 long weekends- Counseling Techniques. Whew! Glad that's over. It is nice to have 36 grad credits under my belt!!

Justin and I are both signed up for spring semester- he's taking 4 classes this time (hefty load) and I am taking 3. Soon Justin will reach the point where he decides Ferris or Davenport. Right now we're leading towards Davenport because they offer 7 week sessions! A good way to get ahead faster! But for now we're enjoying a winter break from it all...

Justin is still really enjoying his job at Independent Wealth Management here in TC. The guys at the office really love him and hope to make him full time ASAP (when the market picks up). He is learning a lot of very good information about finances (because we'll need it!) and how to manage money. I love that he knows all this stuff! He has met a lot of really good, honest people through his work and has stories to tell each day :) We have been carpooling lately, I go to the gym early in the mornings and drop him off, then pick him up when he's out. It works for now, since I STILL am unemployed......that's another story.

I have had two interviews in the past 2 months....none have worked out in my favor. I have applied recently for a job at an Environmental Office, and at NMC for an Office Manager position. Cross your fingers. I have never felt so worthless and poor in my entire life. Being unemployed has really taken it's toll on me. Worrying about tuition, gas, etc. is something I never thought would happen.I hope that when we return from London a miracle will happen!!! I also have begun an internship (free work basically) at NMC with the Career Center. I will be helping out with workshops, career fairs, and working with students. A great opportunity for me as this is what I want to do in the high schools when I get my LPC.

We are looking forward to an amazing 10 day trip to London and Scotland in one short week!!! Hard to believe it is upon us. This will be one for the books.....the Guy's, Dickinson's, and the Knapp's all in one country together!! We may be forced to leave the country early- hehe. I promise to take A LOT of pictures. Happy Holidays!!

E & J

Tree Harvest!

Each year we go out to Leelenau County and get our Xmas tree at Valentine's tree farm. You cut them yourself. It's a really cute little place where you get treats and warm up by the hot stove while they bind and tie your tree to your car (if needed). We love it!. This year since we'll be in London Xmas Day...we decided to only get a 5footer instead of the usually 15ft tree. Here were are standing next to the winner!

Dad is loading it into the truck. No binding was necessary this year :)

Here is the pre-cut trees in the lot. This year it was VERY snowy and blowy....they had over a foot of snow on the ground.

Here she is! Well...the tree and Maisy. Maisy is loving the tree already....and I have to say the Tree is looking great this year! Let the season begin!

A small view of what the snow storm looked like lastnight!

Chicago Spree!

Black Friday! Mom and I took the train down to Chicago to get our "big city" fix for the Holiday season, and to shop of course! It was a 2 hour train ride from Kalamazoo- where we hopped on the train. Quite the cool experience! Here's a pic of a building (don't know the name) with red and green lights on the top!

Wrigley Building! Looking very Christmasy!

This photo is a tad washed out, but we visited Navy Pier- and came across the Gardens. Here I am with some Poinsettia's!

I just couldn't resist taking a picture of these trees inside Talbot's! I'm not even sure if you're allowed to snap photos in stores! Oops.

This was the view from our hotel room! A beautiful sunrise coming over Lake Michigan!

Mom and I got TONS of laughs watching the ice skaters at Milenium Park! It was hilarious watching the kids who have never skated before...and the parents who CANT at all!! :)

Here we are at Milenium Park again....they had Caroling in the Park Friday night and we attended!

Sears Tower, and the Carolers right next to the big Bean thing! Haha.

Here is the skating rink once more. Obama is trying to get the 2016 Olympics in Chicago!

The trip was lots of fun, we ate at two VERY delicious places, shopped (though we didn't end up buying much....looking was alright with us), walked ALOT, froze our butts off, drank wine, ate cheese, and enjoyed the "hustle and bustle" of it all :) I was ready to come home in the end....big city living isn't for me.