9 for 9

Following our 8 reasons after 8 months...and in no way inspired by the 25 things chain letter tagging its way through Facebook...its seems lists are a fun and fitting way to count away at the months and memories that Roo and I have shared so far. So here is February's 9 for 9...9 simple memories after 9 sensational months.

June - Roo and I sing karaoke for the first time as husband and wife at Kate's post graduation party. We perhaps later paid $5 to hear the same song played at the grand opening of Charlotte's Howl at the Moon dueling piano bar.

July - We got to share a room on the annual family vacation to Edisto Island...finally! Though my snoring may send me back in with the boys next year.

August - We celebrated 1 year as homeowners...a nice tax deduction from one side, a long honey-do list from another view...from any standpoint, a beautiful home. We also celebrated the birth of baby boy Buxton, the son of Roo's best friend and college roommate. For Roo, it was love at first sight....

September - It wouldn't be an EJ-written blog entry (just as it wouldn't be EJ and Roo) without a hint of Chicago. We tailgated with my dad, Mike, Caroline, Phil and others at the Bears-Panthers game in Charlotte. October - Trick or treat? Definitely a treat to have hosted a Halloween themed baby shower for Bradriane. Brad and Adriane in non-US Weekly talk.

November - This past Thanksgiving will be hard to top and I may never eat another un-fried turkey again. Add Riley's cheesecakes and family to the mix and we obviously have so much to be thankful for.

December - Max celebrates 1 year in our house and in our family. Its not that we had a party for him or anything close to a celebration but our dogs do play such a significant role in our lives that they were due a mention here. I also assumed no one wanted to hear that I was excited to get socks for Christmas.

January - Roo and I camped out...in our living room. Thanks to Blockbuster, Roo's chocolate-covered strawberries and our fireplace. It was the best stay-cation I've ever had.

February - As if we aren't short-changing February enough by only giving it 28 days, we are also trying to force a favorite moment out of the first two weeks? Valentine's Day dinner at the River Rat seems to be the front-runner but with Winthrop's Homecoming at the end of the month, my surf and turf my take a backseat to Scandals, cornhole, and our 1st Annual Homecoming Party. Stay tuned for those stories.