Robb + Jessie Married & in the Badger State
If only in my dreams…
Dear Friends and Family,
It is a joy to write Christmas wishes to all of you as Mr and Mrs Stankey. Just a year ago Robb was finishing up his first semester as a PhD student in Genetics at University of Wisconsin–Madison. As soon as classes were finished, he was on a plane home to Seattle for our January wedding. It was such a delight to share our happy day with all of you who were able to make it.
The transitions we went through in January (marriage, moving to Wisconsin, and Jessie starting her Masters program in Food Science) were difficult, but after a year, have made us stronger.
Madison, Wisconsin is a lot like Seattle (minus “The Mountain,” Rainier, our friends and family, and the Pudget Sound). We have attended some great concerts and events, traveled up North for a cranberry festival, consumed some delicious beers and cheeses, had several good friends visit from Seattle and Texas and crash on our futon, driven both the length and the width of the state, gone on several day trips to Chicago, and Jessie ran her first half-marathon (in the snow, no less!). We are looking forward to training hard this winter for the MadCity (Half) Marathon this May. (Madison is affectionally known as “MadCity”).
As we write you this note, we are enjoying the warm glow of Christmas lights while outside our windows Madison is covered in a blanket of freshly fallen snow reminding us that winter is nearly here. Last year we endured a record breaking snowfall in one season (over 100”). Perhaps this year we will break another record?
We have a lot to be thankful for this year and a lot to look forward to this upcoming year. In January we are taking our first major vacation to see some of our extended families in Southern California (the perfect time to escape the snow!) and we are looking forward to some cross-country skiing and … perhaps ice fishing? One never knows.
May your and your loved ones have a blessed Christmas season and joyful New Years.
Much love,
A Treasured Tradition
Robb’s family has a cool tradition. Every Christmas, Robb’s parents would give him an ornament so that when he moved out and got married, he would have his own collection of ornaments for his first tree. We thought we’d share some of the ornaments with you.
I can’t get over how pretty our tree is. And next year, it will be different. My childhood handcrafted and gifted ornaments will eventually make the journey across the continental divide to join Robb’s ornaments.
Christmas Time is Here…
We bought a 5’ Christmas tree this week and decorated it on Saturday morning to mark our first Christmas together as Robb + Jessie Stankey. I am pretty pleased by how it turned out. Our friends lent us their stand, some lights and ornaments since they were driving back to be with their family later this week. Perhaps my most ingenious piece of work was the tree skirt. We’re waiting until after the holidays to get a tree skirt from next year. Instead of spending money, we just threw on one of the table cloths from our wedding. How is that for an always resourceful bride?
Happy Christmas!
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat…
It is already the second week of December. I cannot believe how fast Christmas is approaching.
Robb and I have been busy. Between visits to the dentist, studying for finals, preparing for lab presentations, writing papers, doing research, writing Christmas cards and decorating our house … we have neglected to update the blog!
Coming this week (or early next week) will be some posts. I promise. If only some pictures.
We went to Chicago yesterday (Sunday) to get some much needed things for our home from IKEA (to make it less like an apartment and more of a home) and to see Rosie Thomas’ Christmas show. How lovely.
This week we are having our first Christmas party at our little house (carpooling is recommended!) And we have plans to obtain and trim our tree. And I will be knitting as much as my schedule permits. (Thus, not a lot).
We hope December is treating you all well!