The Nordine Family Blog

Thursday, January 7, 2010

October-December (A Really Long Post)

Well I guess I should actually update our blog. It's been a few months!! Where do I begin?? We've done lots of traveling, and Andrew somehow found time to study amidst all the football watching. We took a crazy road trip to Florida in late September to watch our first game at the Swamp. We went with our friends, the Tillmans, and their two kiddos. It was a whirlwind trip but lots of fun! The next weekend we drove to Lexington to watch the Gators defeat KY. Andrew has really turned me into quite the football fan. I love watching the games with him!

I made a trip to Oklahoma in early October for a cousin's wedding. It was a great time with family. I treasure the sweet times with my grandparents and cousins! We celebrated lots of friends' birthdays throughout the month. My parents made a trip to Louisville the end of October. I was able to take my mom to an event at the school where I teach, and we made my parents watch a Gators game with us and the Tillmans.

I went on a women's retreat with our church the first weekend in November. We stayed at a wonderful cabin in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. It was a fun get-away with lots of great spiritual conversations.

For Thanksgiving, it was back down to Florida. We spent Thanksgiving with Andrew's family in Orlando. It had been a couple years since we were down there. Great food and great times! I was able to catch up with my dear friend Jensey and her husband Nate while we were down there. And we just couldn't go to Florida without going to a football game. :) Andrew and I were able to go to the Florida/Florida State game for Tim Tebow's last game at the Swamp. It was so much fun!

Then December came and things didn't slow down a bit. Our small group enjoyed Christmas dinner on December 3. We had wonderful food and fellowship. Our church Christmas party was the following week. My school wrapped up with a Christmas party on the 17. Then Andrew and I headed to Memphis to see my family. The highlight of the trip was meeting my new little nephew who was born Dec. 11. He is PRECIOUS! I got to spend hours holding him and loving on him. I also enjoyed seeing my other nephew Wilson. He's at such a fun age and was really into everything. My niece Emmye is growing up too fast!

On Christmas Eve, we drove to Atlanta to spend time with Andrew's family. We had a nice, relaxing time there. We enjoyed Christmas Eve service at their church. On Christmas day, we had the opportunity to serve dinner at a homeless shelter. Then it was back to Louisville.

Andrew and I celebrated three years of marriage on Dec. 30! Man, time flies. We went to an '80's themed New Year's Eve party at a friend's house. It was rad! We watched Florida win the Sugar Bowl. I started school up again on January 5. We just had our first big snow of the season. The ground is covered. It's so pretty to look at, but I really don't enjoy driving in it. Well I think that about covers it. There's lots of pictures below.

Our first game at The Swamp

At the Florida/Kentucky game

Giant Pouncey Twins (offensive linemen)

In Oklahoma for a wedding

My parents visit Louisville

Hanging out with friends

Fellowship Women's Retreat

Thanksgiving in Florida

Florida vs. Florida State Game

Tim Tebow's last game at the Swamp

Florida players

Small group Christmas Party

My new nephew, born Dec. 11

My other nephew

Christmas in Atlanta

80's New Year's Party

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Busy Busy Busy

Andrew and I have been on the go for the past several weeks, and I have neglected the blogging world. I got back from my Colorado trip on the 28th of July, and the two of us flew down to Florida to spend a week with Andrew's family at his cousin's beach condo. We had a very nice, relaxing time with his family. It was beautiful down there. That was only my second time to go to the beach. We saw HUNDREDS of stingrays! It was so bizzare, and I really didnt want to swim in the ocean after that. :)

After our Florida trip, Andrew started another semester at seminary and I started up again with my Seminary Wives Classes. I made a trip to Memphis the end of August to help my mom host a bridesmaid luncheon for an old friend. I had a good time seeing my family and was able to go fishing with my dad and do some shopping with my mom. I got to play some with my niece and nephew. They're really growing up!

I also started a new venture. . . teaching elementary creative writing!! It's a neat little academy where the kids are homeschooled on Mon, Wed & Fri and they come to classes on Tues/Thursdays. Creative Writing meets on Tuesdays, so I'm just teaching once a week. I have 2nd-5th graders, each grade for one hour. The kids are precious and it's a great way for me to get out of the house. I still have some things to learn, but I think it will be a good experience.

We continue to stay busy with church. We recently got new small groups, and those just kicked off this week. Andrew and I are co-leading the group with another couple. I miss our old group but I'm looking forward to developing new relationships.

Here are a variety of pictures from the past month.

It's football season!! YAY!!! Here we are watching the game with our fellow Gator Fans
and their kiddos. We're taking a road trip with them this weekend to
THE SWAMP for Florida/ UT game. We're very excited!!

At birthday dinner with sweet friends celebrating Linda and Jill's birthdays!

Scott and Joanna's wedding

At my friend Laura's wedding in Memphis. I've know Laura since pre-school!!

At Laura's wedding with my parents, Tiffany and Bryan, and Tiffany's parents.
Tiffany and I grew up together and were roommates for two years in college.

My mom, sister-in-law and niece and nephew at my brother's house.

Hanging out with my niece and nephew!

My brother and his precious little dog Waylon!

Fishing with my dad. It was slow day for us, but we still had fun.

Enjoying the beach in Florida!

Andrew and his little cousin in the pool.

Andrew, his dad and brother doing a little night fishing on the beach.

Ummm...I'm so proud that my husband can communicate with the fish. :)

Me and my sister-in-law on the beach.

Family shot minus Julie.

I was probably getting a little too close to the stingrays!

We're being invaded!!!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Trip To Colorado & Oklahoma

I had a wonderful visit to Colorado recently. My best friend since 3rd grade was getting married, and I was in the wedding. I flew out to Denver on the 16th of July. Unfortunately Andrew had to stay behind and work. :( My family also came out to the wedding and then we drove down to our cabins in Cuchara, Colorado. It was so nice to be out there. The mountains are just gorgeous, and it is so nice to sit back and enjoy God's beautiful creation. My other best friend and college roommate, Sarah, lives near Denver so she came down to the cabin with us for a few days. We enjoyed going to Taos, New Mexico for a day trip with my mom and sister-in-law Michelle. My mom and I went horseback riding one day. We saw 5 bears during this trip!! I usually don't see any or if I do, they're from a distance. But we were pretty up close and personal with these bears. It was very exciting. I rode with my parents to Oklahoma on the 26th of July and we got to see my grandparents and some more of my family. My parents dropped me off in Little Rock on the 28th and I flew back to Louisville. I'd been gone for almost two weeks, so it was nice to get back home to Andrew. Here are some pics from the wedding and our time at the cabin.

At the hotel in Denver ready for Robin's wedding (Robin is in middle)

Me, Robin & Jensey. I've known Jensey since 1st grade and she is such a dear friend. Her and her husband Nate are wedding photographers in Orlando, FL, and they did the pictures for Robin's wedding. Jensey and Nate are very talented and if you get a chance, check out their website at www.rootography.com.