Christmas Break

Over the holidays I was lucky enough to enjoy 10 straight days off of work. What a blessing it was to have a mini "staycation" with my husband who was also off work (teacher perks). We enjoyed our first "Christmas break" together since college. We enjoyed time with friends together and separately, celebrated 3 years of marriage, made a gingerbread house, saw a movie, played broomball (I could not move for three days after that!), went sledding, enjoyed lazy days, deep cleaned our apartment, and shared lovely times with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It was such a wonderful break that it was hard to go back to reality. Here are just a few photos I managed to capture during all the fun:

At Bethlehem's Christmas Eve service

Christmas day… at the end of the day

It was hard to try and get our tree in there

I saw the most amazing sunset while we were driving one evening. This photo is not edited in any way.

Sledding with our friends (Billy, Luke, and Andrew)

We crashed into the weeds

Bridget, Becca, and me

Me and Andrew

Went to lunch with my friend Liese visiting from SC and my friend Kelsey

We missed each other and were so glad for our short time together catching up.

 What fun things did you do over Christmas? I hope whatever you did, you were able to enjoy time with family, and friends and those closest to you! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas with family is truly one of my favorite times of year. Each family experiences Christmas differently based on their own traditions, food, jokes, games, shared understanding, prayers, and love. That is what makes Christmas so special. My family is going through a big adjustment and we are learning a new way to do Christmas. This year we combined old and new traditions, food, and games on top of the same understanding and love we've always shared. It was a really sweet time. I'm so thankful we were able to see my mom and my dad and share our Christmas Eve with both of them. I captured a few memories throughout the day that I hope to cherish throughout the year. Here a few shots from our day:

Drew and I

Me, my dad (Dave), and my brother (Trenton)

Drew, me, and Trent

Decorating cookies with my mom, brother, Drew, and cousins. One of our new traditions.

It was a lot of fun!

Showing off our cookies we decorated

Trent, my mom (Marla), and me

I pray that all of you had a very Merry Christmas this year celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." -Romans 15:13  

Cookie Exchange

The delicious sweets we exchanged

In December, the weekend before Christmas I hosted my first get together at our apartment. I hosted a cookie exchange with friends and family.

Grandma Anita, Kathy, and Sabrina

It was a lovely night with the ladies playing games, eating yummy appetizers, and exchanging our delicious christmas cookies we baked.

Emily, Sarah, and Joy

Me and Kristine

It was fun to see everyone get into the holiday spirit by dressing up in holiday outfits and wearing "ugly" Christmas sweaters.

Kelsey, Nina, Joy, and Me

Sarah and I

My mom (Marla) and me

Emily and Kathryn

Me and Cassandra

It was a wonderful way to enjoy the holiday season with people I'm closest to and get some holiday baking done! It was a successful first party to host at our apartment. I can't wait to have another one next year!

Tis The Season

After a lovely extended week of November and giving thanks, it is Christmas time. Andrew and I spent the afternoon on Sunday decorating for Christmas. That is one of my favorite things this time of year, decorating our living space with my love. It makes my heart feel full and makes me even more excited for this lovely season of celebrating Christ's birth. I even wrapped a few presents that were already bought. What a lovely evening it was!

This is one of my favorite wedding gifts we received. Our African nativity scene.

Andrew's Christmas village

Andrew's Christmas village

Naughty Darla playing with the lights… She's already eaten one light.

Stringing the lights onto the tree

One of our traditions is Drew always puts the star (snowflake) at the top of the tree once it's all decorated.

Our lovely tree all decorated with ornaments from our childhoods. Every Christmas our parents would give us an ornament. Kind of cool that both our families did that growing up.

Merry Christmas!

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions you and your family do?

The Holidays

The past few days I have been oozing with excitement and anticipation. I feel like a little kid again, giddy at the sight of decorations and planning. My favorite time of year is here and I cannot wait! This is what I am excited for:

Thanksgiving and the delicious meal(s).

Seeing and spending time with family we don't see as often.

Relaxing up north all of Thanksgiving weekend.

Watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thanksgiving morning.

Decorating for Christmas.

Listening to my much anticipated Christmas music.

Snow. The beautiful, softly falling kind that makes you feel like you're in a movie.

Watching endless Christmas movies.

Ice skating dates with Drew at Centennial Lakes, one of the most romantic places this time of year.

Decorating a gingerbread house with Drew.

Making yummy Christmas cookies and swapping them with others.

Traditions, old and new.

Buying and wrapping gifts.

Holiday parties with friends and family.

Christmas lights galore as you walk or drive down the street.

The freezing cold Holidazzle Parade.

Warm holiday drinks.

Cold nights cuddling under the blankets.

Crafts, creating, and more crafts.

Christmas lists.

Holiday cheer and holiday spirit.

Decorated malls playing Christmas music and bursting with hustling Christmas shoppers.

Our African nativity scene (one of my favorite Christmas gifts).

Lovely smelling candles lit in the evenings.

The celebration of Jesus' birth.

Bethlehem's midnight Christmas Eve service.

Waking up Christmas morning and exchanging gifts with Drew.

Mine and Drew's two-year wedding anniversary.

I'm sure I haven't even listed everything. I'm so overwhelmed with all my excitement. Through all the hustle and bustle though, it is very important to remember the real reason for the season- The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and holiday season, and your time with family and friends.