Merry Christmas from The Johnstons!

 This kitteh looks like my Tigg! (Except Tigg looks part-mountain lion!).

Hi there! Just wanted to write a quick note to wish everyone happy holidays, and a Happy New Year (in case we don't get a chance to update again between now and then). Tony and I have been in Columbus, Ohio since last Sunday, visiting his parents and sister, Sarah. Despite the extreme change in temperature (for me!), it has been SO much fun! As soon as we walked in the door the golden retrievers, Indi and Solomon, greeted us with wagging tails and happy whines that, when professionally interpreted, mean "Where have you been, Tony?? We're so happy you're home!!" I would love to be greeted like that every day when I come home... Someday soon :)

We've all been hanging out at the house mostly, except for a few trips out to the store and whatnot. Earlier this week, Tony took me, Sarah, and her boyfriend Sam to eat at The Cheesecake Factory - yum! Another night, Sarah and I went to see Black Swan (my treat, since I didn't have to torture Tony with watching it), and may I say that it is a GREAT movie! I want to see it again and again. The next day, everyone but Jane (Tony's mom) went to see True Grit - another good movie, especially for a remake of an old Western. Here are the movie trailers, so you can envy our cinematic pleasure!

Black Swan:

Go. See. It. Now. STAT.

True Grit:

Today we drove up to Cleveland for most of the day, after we opened presents and ate breakfast at home. We visited with Jane's side of the family, and later we went to see Tony's godmother, Janet, and her husband Lenny. It was my first time meeting them - they are so sweet! I have felt very much at home the whole week I've been here.

We drive back to SC tomorrow, so we can have a day of recuperation before our trip to visit potential wedding venues!! We'll make our first stop in Miami, driving down to Islamorada for a day; the following day, we'll visit with the wedding planner at Cheeca Lodge & Spa before flying down to Puerto Rico! We'll be in Old San Juan for two days, and will talk with the fantastic folks at Hotel El Convento before flying back home on New Year's Eve. Now you know why we may not post again before we ring in 2011! However, we'll be sure to take pictures and let you know how our tropical trip goes - we'll soon know where we'll be getting married! We can't wait :)

Registry

As our wedding website is always under construction, Tony and I thought it may be a good idea to post a link to our website, and stand-alone links to our registries. Obviously, this is primarily being set up for our families, but anyone who reads our blog is welcome to check out our wedding website! We will be going on a four-day trip at the end of the month to check out a couple venues in Islamorada, FL and Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, so be looking for updates to the website soon!

PS - We are indeed poor graduate students, and anyone is welcome to buy gift cards rather than items from our registries. Tony has mentioned that gift cards from Home Depot or Sears would be nice (to add to his manly tool collection!), but we'll take what we can get! Love you all :)

Our Future Family...

I had to share this adorable video with anyone out there who is reading. I dream of what our "family" will be someday... After we're married, I want a French Bulldog (preferably cream-colored, but they're so cute I probably won't care when the day comes!), and Tony wants a Golden Retriever. Thus, the relevancy of this post! Sir Hamilton Wesley Wigglebottom has been entertaining me for months... And Tony as well, when he is witness to my watching his videos :)

For Tony:

Annnd, last but not least, one of our favorite shots from our fantastic engagement photo shoot by Sposa Bella Photography!

So, there you have it... A preview of our future family, just for fun!