It's busy this time of year!

Which is why I went AWOL. It's been crazy lately!

3 weeks ago I went to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. On Friday, Robin flew into Birmingham from Dallas and I picked her up so we could head to Atlanta! After a near-disaster involving barbecue sauce and awesome jeans, we made it there and met up with Ian and some of his reporter friends. We had some drinks in the hotel bar and hung out with some fun people. Saturday, we took our time getting ready and headed out into the freezing cold (with boots, socks, tights, shirts, sweaters, coats, scarves, and hats) and headed toward the stadium. We only had one ticket so we decided to go to Taco Mac and watch the game from there. It was insanely crowded and hot, especially with our thousands of layers on, but we had the best time! We met a really funny, really drunk Florida fan from Chicago who I think was in love with Robin. Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel and went to the hotel bar again. Good times! Sunday, we headed back to Tuscaloosa, but not before a stop in West End Atlanta and the sketchiest Taco Bell of all time. Thanks to Lizzie (Robin's GPS) we managed to find the nearest ghetto... we made it out alive, but just barely!

When we got back, all our friends came over and had an engagement party for us, complete with great food (we broke out the new deep fryer!) great wine, and great people! They all pitched in and got us 24 amazing wine glasses.

Then......last weekend, I got to see Robin AGAIN! Ian's parents had a beautiful engagement party for us in New York, and Robin came up with us. Our flight flew through Dallas so she hoped on the plane with us and we were off! We stayed from Friday - Tuesday and really had an amazing time. We got to the city and went to meet with the guy who made my ring to have him make a wedding band to go with it. We talked for awhile and decided on a princess cut channel set band to complement it. Something like this. So anyway, on Monday, my mom, my Aunt Grace, my little brother Jon, his girlfriend Mary Elizabeth, Robin, and I went back into the city to walk around and see some fun things (most of them had never been to NYC before) and we went in to Tiffany to try on a similar ring to the one we'd decided on. The guy who is making it is a jeweler who makes items for stores, and doesn't have a store himself, so there was nothing to try on - it was literally just a workshop. So I tried on the ring and HATED it. It was pretty, of course, but it just looked a little too masculine with my already very square ring. Soooo.... we decided on this. I LOVE it. I couldn't imagine the round brilliants looking good with my princess cut, but it's absolutely perfect when I have them together. I can't wait! Also, while we were there, Robin and I decided to buy each other the necklace we've been wanting. It's my new favorite! (Other than the gorgeous diamond one Ian had made for me, of course) :) This is my new favorite casual. It's here! Ok enough about jewelry....

The engagement party! That morning we drove all around Chappaqua (Ian's hometown) and showed my family the town and his high school, etc. My aunt wants to go back to high school if she could go to his school... It was absolutely gorgeous. We had lunch at a great little diner and headed back to the house to begin getting ready for the party. So many people came, and everything was perfect. It was great to get to meet some of Ian's extended family that I didn't get to meet in the past, and some of his parents friends that I've heard a lot about. Plus, it was great to see all of his friends that we haven't gotten to see in awhile! I can't wait to see everyone again at the wedding! Thanks so much to the Rapoport family for a fantastic time! On Sunday, Ian had to come back to Alabama to do some work, but my family and Robin stayed on till Tuesday. Sunday we went into the city and walked around and saw all the windows in the big department stores. So ornate and pretty! Kacie, you would've LOVED this. Christmas all around!! Then we went to dinner at Carnegie Deli where I saw the largest sandwiches of all time. Seriously, you can't even imagine how big they are. And delicious! Ian left and went to the airport :( and Robin and I walked around with Mimi (Ian's sister) for awhile. We found these boots that I want! So cute! then we headed back to the house and passed out.... Monday we did it all over again, but just with my family and Robin, since all the Rapoports had to work. We went to Tiffany, I shoulder checked Tommy Hilfiger, then we headed to Little Italy and had some phenomenal pizza. After that, we went into Chinatown and got some great purses :) We met up with Ian's mom Esta a little while later and walked around SoHo to check out some of the cute little boutiques. I want to live there!!! After that we walked back over to Little Italy and had some dessert (delicious cannoli!!!) at Ferrara's. Soooo good! Tuesday morning it was snowing (after 2 days of 60 degree weather) and we headed home... it was such a good trip though!

Now Christmas (and Hanukkah!) are here already, and I have presents to wrap... at least I've bought some of them. It came so fast!

I hope everyone has a fantastic holidays!!! I'll try not to take so long to update next time so it won't be a million words long :)