The last post was right before Thanksgiving. We ended up having family in Galveston for the holiday. The Andersons were represented by Rick & Sandi and Brandy. And the Merrimans were represented by Richard & Barb, Sarah & John, Aunt Ann, Aunt Ruth, Scott, Richard, & Deb. We rented a house on the west end of the island and most people were here for the week. We had a blast. (Just looked and I don't have any pictures.)
A couple weeks later, we were off to the US Virgin Islands. David and I drove to Dallas, dropped Bailey off with my parents, and flew to St. John with Richard and Barb. Sarah and John were already there along John's parents and sister. While we were there, we laid on the beach, drank some fruity cocktails, and played in the ocean. One day, Sarah, John, David , and I went on a scuba diving trip. Neither Sarah or I had ever tried it before, but we picked it up pretty quickly. The next day the 4 of us rented a dinghy and drove it around to a few of the other beaches. Needless to say, there is a learning curve with the dinghy and I think we are all a little better prepared for the next time!
The beach on our last morning in St. John
Shannon, David, John, and Sarah after scuba diving
After the trip to St. John was Christmas. I stayed in Dallas and David came back to Galveston to work for a few days. Mom, Barb, Brandy, Carolyn, and I went to see the Nutcracker at the Bass Performance Hall. We all loved it. David and I were able to arrange a limousine Christmas Light Tour with some of our friends. Everyone had a great time. On Christmas Eve we went with Mom, Dad, and Brandy to Grandpa & Grandma's house. We always enjoy being with all of the family! Christmas Day was at Richard and Barb's house.
Brandy and I on our way to The Nutcracker
New Year's was very low key. James and Veronica came down to Galveston and stayed a couple of days. On January 15th, we found out that we will be moving to St. Louis, Missouri for David to complete a trauma fellowship! It will start August 1, 2010. David's parents came to visit. LK came to visit. At the end of January, we went to Austin for an ortho meeting.
We had a couple weeks of down time and the came Mardi Gras! David joined a krewe, The Knights of Momus. So we were able to ride on one of the floats (and toss beads) in the big parade. The newspaper photographer rode with us and the next day my picture was front page! It wasn't a great picture so I am going to include the one that we took that looks prettier.
The boys (Rob, David, Chris, & Miguel)
Bailey got dressed up too!
Then we were off to Vegas!! The annual meeting for the Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery was there and as the department's liaison to the Academy, David got a free trip. So I bought a ticket and we spent a week in Vegas. (Which I now know is too long!) There is so much to see and do that I was completely overwhelmed. Because David had to go to some of the lectures I spent the first couple days by myself (exploring, shopping, gambling). Then Ashley and Veronica got there and we had some GREAT girl time! We saw a couple shows, ate a lot of great food, and stayed at the beautiful Wynn Las Vegas.
The boys packed into the cab (it was too funny!)
After Vegas, David took 2 weeks of call and I was off to Dallas. Brandy and I threw a wedding shower for Cousin and Katrina and her now-husband Chris. It was a lot of fun.
Katrina with one of their presents!
Then our friends, Chris and LK bought a house. So, I stayed to help with a few repairs. The master bedroom was the ugliest color I have ever seen! And it took 3 coats of primer to cover! It was truly awful. But now they are moved in and making into their home. Its looking better everyday!
The next weekend was Chris and Katrina's wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and then came the dancing... I'm sure that Chris's family had no idea what to do with all of the Andersons on the dance floor! It was great!
Ian, Uncle Mike, Katrina, Grandma, and Grandpa
There are plenty of pictures of dancing but this video says it all! (Side note: All but one person in this video are Andersons!)
The next morning there was a surprise brunch for Uncle Jeff's 50th birthday. One poor waiter was trying so hard to keep everyone happy.
Family picture
At the beginning of April, David got a few unexpected days off. So we hit the road and headed to Dallas. We got 4 days with friends and family. Aunt Ann, Marilyn, and Deb drove down from Michigan for their Spring Break. Seeing them was a nice treat! For now we are home, but next weekend David is heading to Austin and I am going to see Aunt Cindy and Uncle Mark. The following week David will be in Birmingham and then we will be traveling to Nashville to watch Sarah graduate with her Masters.
Even though we have been traveling A LOT, the house has still been getting her fair share of attention. We are working on the trim. Then there will need to be some touch ups but it is a whole lot better than it was!
Hope that everyone is well! Lots of Love!
