The Days After

I didn't remember how much I loved the days after Christmas until I experienced them again this year with my kids. No school, no busy holiday schedule and lots of new toys and games to play with. The house doesn't get 100% cleaned for a few days at least, because toys are being played with and haven't quite found a home yet. It's vacation, really! This week we had a tea party, played lots of games and laid around a lot--actually, I've been pretty sick this week and couldn't have picked a better time!

On Christmas morning I was too sick to cook our big breakfast, so I decided to do it New Years Eve morning instead. We invited Nate's parents and brothers over (along with his brother's girlfriend, a sweet new addition to our family!) for a big spread. I sense a tradition in the making!

Let me insert here that I've tried different cinnamon roll recipes (made my me or others) through the years and never have I had any like this. I'm not saying that because I made them--just because I followed a cinnabon copycat recipe that is to die for. If you make them, don't skimp on any of the butter or sugar. It seems like too much, but it's perfect. With the calories they have they are probably good about once a year, so make them as is and enjoy every buttery-sugary bite. Try the recipe here.

This week has been good, but I'm refreshed and ready to get back to a normal routine, as well as normal eating. I've been eating "clean" for close to 6 months and getting back to it is going to feel quite good. Tonight we're ringing in the New Year with family and friends, and for once I'm not hosting!The break will be nice!

 Happy New Year to all of you. Hope it's sweet. ;)

A Very Merry Christmas

The Sunday before Christmas, our Pastor started out his sermon talking about expectations. For me, Christmas is  all about expectations, tradition and childhood memories. I require a certain setting for it "be Christmas". A huge Christmas eve party with friends at my parents house, Christmas morning at the grandparents with Grandpa's egg casserole and Grandma yelling for everyone to sit down, my Mom's stockings for all of us overflowing onto the floor, my dad's hilarious gifts for my Mom and my Aunt's pizza. Ideally, the ground is covered in white and Bing Crosby is singing "White Christmas" in the background. My first 2 Christmas' were spent in Texas and while I was a happy newly-wed, I compared everything to my childhood Christmas and was left very disappointed. When we knew we wouldn't be "home for Christmas" this year, I made the decision then and there that I would not be disappointed again, and instead, make the most of it and enjoy every moment.

 His comments about expectations were perfect for me. I went into Christmas expecting it to be exactly what I made of it, not what I grew up knowing.

Christmas Eve morning

Christmas Eve: Skype Party with my family. It made me miss them more, but I also felt like I was there with them. Thank God for technology! 

The first thing I wanted to do was fill our home with as many family and friends as we could on Christmas Eve. Our house was full and bustling with 40 people when I came down with a horrible stomach flu and had to retreat to my room. I wasn't expecting that! ;) I'm thankful for lots of friends and my amazing husband who pitched in helped clean my house while I was sick.

{Insert no pictures here} :)

I couldn't make the Christmas morning breakfast I had planned, so we're doing it on New Year's Eve instead. Even though I felt pretty devastated the night before, (my best friends and sisters know this from the texts I sent them) I was so excited for the kids to open their gifts that I didn't spend to much time pitying myself.

  Honestly, I don't think I made any new traditions this year--I was trying to keep from barfing on the presents--but the day was still magical, starting out with the Christmas story and filled with happy squeals and laughter as the wrapping paper was ripped off of new toys. I am so blessed.

His First Christmas, 9 1/2 months old

Nate loves the downtown skyline, and since he works there, I thought it would make a great gift! Drove the kids downtown and waited for perfect light to get this shot.

A New Camera bag. My other one is awesome too, but this will be better for carrying both baby and camera supplies when we're traveling and out and about. I love it!

Stockings really are the best part of Christmas, hands down.

I forgot to get him a gift. Brookie gave him a candy cane as a consolation prize.

Later that day, Nate's family came over for more food and games. I still wasn't feeling too good, so I was glad that I had cooked most of it the day before!

I loved our Christmas this year! I'm looking forward to celebrating a New Year in just a few days and all of the reflection that comes along with it. Merry, Merry Christmas.

'Twas the Weekend before Christmas

We spent the weekend before Christmas in a rented house with family, relaxing away from the normal business that the last days before the holiday brings. We exchanged gifts, visited the gorgeous lighted river walk, and did cozy Christmas things like baking and building a gingerbread house. Some people never get the chance to do something like this, and I'm so grateful that we were able to make so many memories in the same house we stayed this past summer.

Our weekend, in less words and more pictures:

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Post about ours coming soon!