A Sweet Holiday Review

It’s officially 2015!

The BatesMeron team is back in the office and we’re ready for another amazing year. But before we jump into “what’s next,” we figured we’d take a quick look at what happened in 2014, specifically over the holidays.

After a laughed-filled Q&A session, here is what we learned:

Where did you spend your holiday?

Rachel: This holiday, I was a big city girl in a small town world! We road-tripped to Henryville, Indiana (population: 2,000) and Kinderhook, Illinois (population: 250), where Internet and Wi-Fi are luxuries. I did learn how to play Euchre due to the absence of said Internet and Wi-Fi.

Rachel and Wily en route to their next holiday destination

Paul: I went to Naperville, IL to see my family on Christmas Eve.

Becka: At home with the hubby and pup…and the flu.

Nina: Back home in Shelby Township, Michigan (Fondly referred to as “The Twip” by Todd Pierce and company).

Chuck: At home in my jammies.

Chuck’s pups being very anxious to open gifts

Jordan: Quaint and quiet Kirksville, Missouri

Todd: Split between Springfield and Chicago.

Fred: I spent my holiday in both San Francisco and Cupertino, CA.

What was the best part of your holiday?

Rachel: Much napping.

Paul: The best part was taking a break from school and being able to spend some quality time with my roommate and two cats.

Becka: Wearing pajamas for days.

Nina: Meeting my friend’s baby, reuniting with an old friend who lives in London and playing a lot of Cranium/Heads Up! with my family.

Nina and her newest sidekick, Ava

Chuck: Video games, movies, naps, late nights and all of it spent with the love of my life!

Jordan: Antiquing with my mom.

Todd: Getting to spend time with my family and, of course, my new dog Darcy.

Todd’s new pup, Darcy

Fred: Celebrating my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary with family.

A dapper Fred celebrating his parent’s anniversary

What is your 2015 New Year’s resolution?

Rachel: Plan and execute a vacation to another country.

Paul: Work smarter, not harder.

Happy New Year from Paul… and friend.

Becka: To stop firing Todd every day.

Nina: Visit some friends in California. But apparently some of my co-workers have encouraged me to “be a nicer person.” No promises.

Chuck: To be more positive minded in all things.

Jordan: To learn how to quilt.

Todd: Get rich or cry trying.

Fred: Learn how to drift in Tokyo.

What is the strangest holiday gift you’ve ever received?

Rachel: My dad regifted me a left windshield wiper one year.

Paul: Frozen pizza.

Becka: One year, literally EVERYONE gave me wine. EVERYONE. I felt like they were saying something about my character. Also, I once got a single candlestick.

A throwback Bates Family Christmas

Nina: I actually just got a miniature hanging terrarium. Sure, this seems fine from an outsider’s perspective, but since I hate plants and tend to kill them by simply being within a 2-foot radius, it was an interesting gift choice.

Chuck: The Alien Trilogy on VHS. (While I respect the franchise, I had never expressed any interest in these flicks, so it was a bit strange to be given a collector-type item like that.)

Jordan: Looking back, a My-Size Barbie. Why did I ever want one?

Child-sized Jordan with her “My-sized” Barbie

Todd: The strangest gift I’ve ever received was two frozen steaks. (Note they were from my Aunt and Uncle, who are dairy farmers, but still an odd gift for Christmas, agreed?)

Fred: A butcher’s block knife set… with no knives.

We hope your holidays were just as sweet and we look forward to what’s to come this year!