I am convinced that Russia has a strange attraction to me. Just today-- I helped a woman at the store from Russia, during my lunch break I sat next to a couple from St. Petersburg, and on my way home I drove behind a car with a Russian bumper sticker.

I'm telling you, Russia follows me everywhere :)

On another note, which has nothing to do with Russia, I saw 22 shooting stars within 10 minutes last night during the meteor shower. Living in a city, it's easy to forget that there's a breathtaking show going on right above us. Grab a blanket... go stargazing sometime :)

For Thanksgiving I went up to Nashville to see Blake's show and spend some time with him. It was incredible! Here are a few pictures:


before the curtain opened.


we went to this really awesome ice exhibit, where they recreated woo-ville completely out of ice!


Merry Christmas!


the nativity scene in ice.


Steve, Blake, Julio, and I. It was so cold.


Blake's mom and 4 brothers.


So after the show I went home to celebrate with my family. We started a tradition a few years ago, where we each have a tree in the front yard that we get to decorate. My mom planted these trees when we first moved to the house, five in a row. So each year she gives us $5, we go to the store to buy decorations, and then go at it. It's one of those cheesy, yet fun traditions :-) Sorry I didn't take more pictures from home.



Joe and his tree... ha.