Merry Christmas!

Well.

 It has been a while, hasn't it. Waiting this long to blog can get really overwhelming to me as I feel like I have so much to catch up on. I'm not going to do that, though--just gonna pick up where I left off, because life flies by and there is way too much to post. I will just do a quick snippet of the past few months, and then focus on the past few weeks--CHRISTMAS!

 October and the beginning of November were spent surrounded by my favorite people. ;) We managed to get a family picture of all nineteen of us which was quite the experience! Special thanks to Devin and Sarah for putting up with us while we yelled, screamed, laughed and tried to be somewhat organized...the picture actually turned out GREAT considering how many of us there are!

Not too long after the last of them had trickled out, my best friend, her husband and baby came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Thanksgiving gets higher and higher in my book every year, and it is just about level with Christmas. Cooking and baking and eating and focusing on what we're thankful for--the whole week is focused on our blessings and I love it so much.

We didn't go home for Christmas this year, so we were able to experience all we could here during the month of December. Of course we started off the month by picking out our tree, even though it was 70 degrees that day and didn't feel a thing like Christmas.

Traditions continue: youngest puts on the first ornament and works up from there.

Tree Lighting

Last day of school before Christmas break!

Baking with Aunt Allaina 

Trail of Lights

Young adults Christmas banquet

 Best thing ever... SNOW! They made snow at a nearby outdoor mall and even though it was a total mad house, it was such a great memory for the kids! 

During Christmas week, we rented a huge house with Nate's side of the family and stayed there for a few days. It was a total blast! The house had 2 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms and was a total maze--easy to get lost in. ha! We cherished every moment spent together--talks, games, late nights, shopping and  eating and walking on the beautiful river walk.

The family picture this year... I am so thankful for my "in-laws"--it doesn't even feel right to call them that because they are truly like my own family.

When we came home from our mini vacation, I had a few hours to dash around and prepare food for our Christmas Eve party we hosted after church and Christmas brunch the next morning. It was so much fun and I promise to blog about it all soon.

 Until then, I hope each of you had a wonderful Fall and Christmas season. I am overwhelmed with God's mercies which are new every morning!