September:
In September, Timmy and I were lucky enough to get to go home to spend time with my family :) It was Laura's 30th birthday so we flew down to celebrate with her and the best fam in the whole wide world :) We had a great time, and I go to see by beautiful, brilliant, hilarious, niece (I'm not biased... it's a fact). I never get tired of hanging out with her. As always, it was great to be back in the Lone Star State celebrating!
October:
In October, we had the fantastic opportunity to go to Boston with the lovely Pyrc's. We had so much fun! The leaves had turned, the air was crisp, and we ate our body weight in treats. What else are you supposed to do in Boston? Besides the cities in TX, Boston is my favorite. There is just something about that city that makes me super happy! (It's probably Mikes Pastry). On one of our walks through the city, we happened upon a game of Quidditch. That's right... like in Harry Potter. Obviously there was no flying involved, but the people were running around on brooms playing the ground version. Haha... and I though NYC was full of weirdos. Apparently, they are everywhere! We enjoyed watching **cough**laughing at**cough** the game and went on to enjoy the rest of the city. It was a great weekend trip with Kristen and Bryan!
November:
November started off with that rude girl Sandy taking her anger out on the northeast. We were very lucky that we just lost power and water and had somewhere to stay for several days. Not everyone was so lucky. Talk about an eerie place to be- NYC in complete darkness. I don't know if I have ever been somewhere so dark. It was very creepy for sure.
Later on in November we got to go back home for Thanksgiving. YAY!!!!! We got to see both of our families and had way too much fun :) The trip was short but we got to see all of the kids. They are all getting so big!
Then came the big guy... December :)
In December, I got to go to San Antonio for work and visit with Aunt Cindy and Uncle David. They know me all too well and fed me wonderful Mexican food to hold me over. Later that week we were so excited to have a bunch of our friends come to stay with us! Kristen, Bryan, Lesslie, Sally, and Kimmie all came to stay with us to celebrate Kristen's 30th birthday! We are so lucky to have so many wonderful friends! We got to see a lot of the city, including a very important person... MATT DAMON!!!! That's right. We saw him, and we are pretty much best friends now. I will share two versions of the story.
My version:
As we were walking up Central Park West, through the festive Christmas decor, laughing and carrying on with long time friends, a stranger appears. He immediately spots us, walks over and says "Why hello there! You guys sure look like a fun group to hang out with. If I give you my phone number, do you want to meet up tonight and every night forever?" I say "Oh hi Matt Damon. Yes, you are right, we rule. But unfortunately for you, we already have plans and are too busy having fun with each other. Rain check?" He says, "Sure, anytime, as long as we become best friends." I take his number, and we chat weekly.
What I'm told actually happened:
As we are walking up Central Park West, through the festive Christmas decor, laughing and carrying on with long time friends, a stranger and his family walk by. Timmy says "Oh my gosh, that was Matt Damon." Sally and I look at each other, then back towards him. Sally and I proceed to run as fast and stealthy as we could (we were later told that it wasn't stealthy at all, in fact we were laughing/ screaming the whole time) while hiding behind a row of christmas trees. We then appear, as if magically, several feet in front of him, and walk super calmly past him, getting a good look. Oh yeah... it was him. He was wearing sunglasses, but I'm pretty sure we made eye contact :)
I like my version better ... but whatever.
Later that night it was off to some very well sung karaoke and shenanigans galore. After some very sad goodbyes, it was time to start preparing for Christmas! Timmy and I got to go home for 9 days!!!! We had so much fun with all of the people that we love very much! Our nieces and nephews were particularly jazzed about Santa (or Christmas Claus as Johhny calls him). Johnny even told me that Christmas goes swimming on the moon when he isn't delivering presents... ya learn something new every day. It was Charlotte's first Christmas so Laura and my mom and I celebrated with matching PJs :) We had to show her how to celebrate appropriately. We got to see everyone! It was relaxing, and fun, and the best week ever.
Things going on in general:
Recently, I have decided to leave my job at Rethink Autism. I enjoyed working with this company and learned a ton, but let them know before Christmas that I would be leaving at the end of January to pursue working directly with kids. Kids have always had my heart, and I have felt like something was missing. Everyone at Rethink Autism completely supported me and I am so lucky to have had a year and a half working with them! I have recently accepted a position as a BCBA at an early intervention school and could not be more excited! I will be starting next week and am ready to hang out with sweet babies again.
In a few weeks, we are going skiing in Vermont. I have never been skiing and needless to say I'm a bit nervous. Now I know what you are thinking, "But Ally, you seem so athletic. Skiing will be a breeze with your agility and natural ability pick up any sport." Get ready for this... I'm NOT athletic. Boom! I know your mind just blew so I will give you a second to rebound...................................... I know that I have played it off well, and it was as big of a shock to me. Apparently a 16 minute mile is not impressive. I know. Wow. Anyway, we are going, and it should be fun :) But just in case... pray for me, okay? I have been doing yoga in an attempt to prepare. Apparently "yoga" means pretzel folded torture routine in hippie. I've stuck with it and I'm getting better though.
Other than that, same story... we miss our families, friends, and home in general. It's hard being away when so much is going on with everyone. We love you guys and miss you every single day! Give someone a hug and pretend that person is me, hugging you :) Also, have a taquito from Whataburger for me.
xoxoxox
Ally
