my first Christmas as a Mrs.!

THE holiday season (you know which one I'm talking about, the one that starts right after Halloween and goes all the way to the New Year, or my birthday really) is never long enough for me to soak it all in. All being, extra special time with loved ones, the smells, the lights, new and old traditions and feeling extra blessed and thankful for the life that I have. Especially now getting older, my how the time flies. I find myself secretly acting like a kid, pretending I can freeze time or at least slow it down. Which is part of the reason I take SO MANY pictures; they help me to remember and refocus when life gets a little crazy and I need a reminder. I read a quote the other day that I just absolutely loved and wanted to share...

"Always remember to forget , the things that made you sad. But never forget to remember, the things that made you glad. Always, remember to forget, the friends that proved untrue. But don't forget to remember, those that stuck by you. Always remember to forget, the troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember, the blessings that come each day."

With that being said I hope you all had a very Merry, heartwarming, lovely Christmas! I sure did and here is a little recap of our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs.

This is my happy, little side of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. with our little furbaby, Gunnar.

My Mom and Justin cut down this tree with there bare hands, well and a chain saw.

All the stockings laid down by the chimney with care.

My Mom is now a Pinterest addict and made these adorable melting snowman cookies!

Paige got all the girls these adorable black aprons that have pearls around the neckline. Yes I have a pink camo bandana on, it was from my stocking. :)

Mom got Gunnar some adorable new PJ's! 

Pap and my sweet Great Niece painting with her new artist set, look at that concentration. 

There was a white elephant gift exchange that included a chainsaw, fishing poles, gift cards, a fire pit with a S'mores making kit and an iHome portable speaker. Arm wrestling between Mom and I over said iHome speaker...I let her win. ;-) Slumber party, movie watching, tons of eating and drinking. Games of Cranium between the guys and the girls, that the girls won every time! Dance party to the new xbox Just Dance 3 game {T captured video of this, it's pretty hilarious and I'm debating whether or not they should be shared ;-)} and so much love and happiness you couldn't see straight. Next year I will be more diligent about taking more photos of the haps on T's side of the family. I think that by the time we got over there on Christmas afternoon I was in a holiday coma and wasn't thinking straight to take pictures of all the merriment that was taking place with his huge family. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

xoxo,