Merry Christmas

I can't believe just how fast Christmas came and went this year. We had a wonderful Christmas, spent with close friends and family. I love getting into the Christmas spirit every year and this one was no different. So to get into the spirit, my family and I went to go look at all of the Christmas lights. We made our way all around the East Valley and ended the trip on my favorite street of lights in Chandler.

Mom, Me, and Gpa

Me and Dad

On Christmas Eve we go over to the McCann's to open presents. It is nice that they celebrate on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day, so that Aaron and I aren't forced to split our time between the two families. We opened presents and enjoyed excellent food and company over at Aaron's parents house.

Christmas morning then, is spent with the Nelson's. It is a tradition to make popovers on Christmas morning, so we got there early enough for breakfast. They were delicious! Then we opened presents and watched movies until it was time to eat again. As you can tell, my family really enjoys their food!

Aaron made out very well this Christmas and was especially excited about his Dark Night DVD and the popcorn popper that was given to him by my parents. My husband loves his popcorn. He can finish a jumbo tub of popcorn at the movies before the previews are over! Needless to say, we will definitely make good use of that present.

I also did well since the only thing I really wanted was Adobe Photoshop. Now that I have it my new hobby is digital scrapbooking. I am still learning, but hopefully I will pick up all the tricks in Photoshop very soon. I am also saving up for a SLR camera since my digital camera's pictures are not good enough anymore. Oh well maybe next Christmas! If anyone knows of a good camera though, please let me know.

And last, but not least, the Mules got a pretty good present also. Here she is enjoying her HUGE bone. She gets one every year for Christmas and it keeps her busy for a couple weeks.

Merry Christmas

It's that time of year again...

I can't believe people are already having Christmas parties! This year has flown by so quickly. I guess it is true what people say, that the older you get the quicker time flies.

This past weekend my mother and I were invited to the first Christmas party of the season. Her hairdresser Scott and his partner Scott, host a Christmas party every year and this year my mom was determined to go. While my dad stayed home to watch the Big 12 Championship game, we headed off towards South Mountain.

When we got there Scott took us on a tour of their spectacular home. It is just an average house, but their decorating is amazing and almost all of their stuff comes from consignment. I wish I had a designer's eye like them and knew a bargain when I saw one. They definitely inspired me to get working on my own home. Anyways, we ended up having a great night and meeting quite the eclectic group of people. What a way to get in the Holiday spirit!

Big Bear Lake for Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, we decided to rent a cabin at Big Bear Lake, CA with family. It was such a great idea! Aaron couldn't go, because he had to work on Black Friday, but I was happy I would at least be with my family. Between my Uncle Dean, Aunt Suzi and their kids, my brother Shane and his girlfriend Stephanie, and my mom and dad, I knew I wouldn't be lonely.

We drove up to Big Bear on Wednesday afternoon and braved the rain, snow, and crazy fog while driving up the mountain. I thought we would never make it! We got there late that night and I was so excited to see a little snow falling from the sky. We Arizonans don't see snow too much and to be honest I miss being cold!

The next morning was Thanksgiving and I was up early (one of the fall backs from getting up for work so early), so I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. It was so pretty and there was just enough snow left to satisfy me.

We cooked all day and our Thanksgiving feast was wonderful, I don't think I was hungry all weekend! But I guess that didn't stop me from eating non-stop like I was starving.

Anywho, on top of all that I got to see the two cutest kids in the whole wide world (although I must say all my cousins are pretty cute)!

I hadn't seen my cousins, Nic and Nat, in almost 6 months. That is way too long! And boy have they changed. Natalie is talking a lot more and her "don't bump your head" was just about the cutest thing ever. There were spiral staircases at the cabin and I guess she heard somebody say that. Adorable, right?

Nic is getting so big and he is such a happy little guy. He is close to walking, except that he stands on his tippie toes half the time (so cute). I bet he will be running the next time I see him!

I am so thankful that I was able to spend the holiday with family and we had a wonderful weekend eating, playing, and watching football (Go Nebraska)!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!