I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the GraduateMeghann family…
It’s a Rebel!!!!
The Canon Rebel T1i to be exact. 
After a couple of months of saving, researching, and testing out my Mom’s camera I knew the rebel was what I wanted to go with. When I saw Nicole from Another One Bites the Crust (Love her blog and photos!) was selling her less then a year old camera, I knew it was fate.
I purchased the slightly used Rebel from Nicole at a very reasonable rate and could not be happier!
Now I just need to familiarize myself with the new camera and truly learn what it can do. Nicole told me that apparently you can set the camera on manual, adjust the settings, and see what the picture is going to come out like in the live view mode on the back of the camera before you take it. Can’t wait to play with that setting.
The camera was actually suppose to arrive on Wednesday, but was held up at the FedEx facilities in Orlando. They then tried to deliver the camera yesterday, but we were all busy shopping and no one was home to sign for it. 
Finally, after waiting by the door all day the camera arrived just before 5:00 pm. Better late then never.
I did manage to keep myself pretty busy while waiting for the camera to arrive with a little Christmas decorating. Well more supervising than decorating. 
The boy hung the lights and I watched the pups.
When lunch time rolled around Kelly and I volunteer pick a selection of subs for everyone from Publix.
My sister and I split a footlong veggie sub on multigrain bread.
Nom Nom Nom
My favorite part of the Christmas decorating process has to be picking out the perfect family christmas tree.
Alot of thought went into finding the perfect tree.
In the end we went with a 10 ft ‘surprise tree.’ We call it a surprise tree because we select one that is still wrapped up and won’t know what it looks like until we get it home and take the twine off.
Once we got the tree home it was time to reveal the surprise.
Surprise!
Let the decorating fun begin!
First up – Lights!
Next comes my Mom’s Precious Moments collection.
My Mom’s has a Precious Moment for each year here and my Dad have been married.
This year she added #27 to the collection.
My siblings and I also have a precious moment ornament from the year we were born and by tradition we all hang our personal ornament first.
Mine from 1985.
I had alot of fun playing with my new camera while decorating the tree.
The finished tree ready for presents to start filling up underneath.
My Mom is a little obsessed with the gold theme for our tree.
As if we hadn’t had enough Turkey this week, my little bro had receive a free turkey from work and my Dad decided to make it while the family was all together.
He slathered the turkey with a homemade basil and oregano butter using fresh herbs from his windowsil. The results were moist and delicious.
With the turkey my Dad made homemade Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Rolls
and an array of left overs from Thursday
My plate with a bite of everything
My Dad had put the idea of cookies in our heads for dessert. We went with the no fail Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from the back of the Nestle Tollhouse bag.
For some reason I have trouble making ‘small’ cookies and always end up with gigantic ones.
Nothing goes better with fresh cookies hot out of the oven then ice cream.
I had one cookie with a scoop of vanilla fudge swirl on top and it was basically nothing short of amazing.
I <3 my new Rebel!!!!
My alarm is set for 4:00 am tomorrow!!! The whistle blows for the Space Coast Half Marathon at 6:00 am and they are reccomending everyone begin to corral at least 15 minutes before hand.
I have all my race gear laid out and hopefully I will be ready to run so early in the morning.
My stomach is full of butterflies in anticipation of race day. Let’s hope those butterflies allow me at least a little bit of sleep tonight
Wish us luck!
Good Night!
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