So, I have not had the time or energy over my break to blog about anything. Today will be a recap of all of the holiday adventures that took place while I was out living life ;) I can't believe how behind I am!
Started off the break with some wonderful girlies.. we exchanged presents, and ate way to many snacks! It is always a joy to spend time with these godly ladies! I am so blessed!
A long standing tradition: The pyramid picture!
Later that week we had a party for our favorite kiddos! We had more yummy food, great conversations with lovely friends, and my husband even got to share the gospel. It was for sure a fun time had by all!
I made this silhouette book with the kiddos pictures for Annyce. It was one of my favorite DIY Christmas presents. She loved it, and their little features are so precious. I love this almost as much as I love her. She is so very special to me, and deserved a very special gift!!
That would be my super awesome hubby doing a devotion for the kids. He is for sure a man of many talents!
The very next day we had a Christmas party at our church. Jeff recently graduated with his MASTERS at the age of 23! Yes, smart and talented, I am one very lucky girl! :) Anyways, we had a party at one of our church members houses. Another sweet family bought Jeff a cake! It was another wonderful evening!
Us all dressed up, ready to party at CSBC Christmas party 2012!
One of the kindest and most encouraging people you would ever be blessed to know is right there. I am so thankful for my friend jo, and the heart she has for others and the Lord. What a treasure!
Toms! If you do not know about the organization of buying shoes and sending another pair to a child in need, you must look into it. Not to mention these shoes are super comfy! We are fans for sure! :)
A sweet, sweet family in our church bought Jeff a surprise cake. He was surprised, he loved it, and we ate on that cake for the next week! It was so fun to see him so happy and excited. He is such a hard worker. I could not be more proud.
Next up on our holiday adventures was my birthday. Ever year since I was 18 I have had a bon fire for my birthday, it just wasn't in the cards for this year.. so instead we went out on grand adventures with the very best of friends!
we went to Dickens of a Christmas and we got to go sledding. It was a blast. We may or may not have been the only people over 20 who were not there with our own children. oh well, still a blast!
2012, we had a carriage ride downtown. It was a lot of fun, it was a new experience, and it was a great way to celebrate my 24th Birthday! ;)
The next day we went geocaching. It is a blast. You find random places to look up and there are clues. It is like a world wide scavenger hunt. We ran around outside in the freezing cold with no coats.. not the best idea, but an adventure for sure!
when you find the box (usually hidden in a tree or under some leaves) there is a notepad and pen so you can write your name and date. You can look back and see the other people who have also found that particular one. It really is a cool idea, and it was fun to do! Later that night, we had some of our favorite people over at our house for dinner and game. Those same favorite people made me a cookie cake, knowing that I do not like other cake.. they really are so sweet and I am so very blessed to have them in my life!
Life is a special occasion! I love that bag, I also love that owl necklace if you can't tell by the picture. Two precious gifts from my two mommies! I love them both so very much!
Next we had Christmas Eve with my parents.. we spent the time opening lots of undeserved presents, eating lots of yummy treats, playing way to many games, and looking at lights.
This house is a house where you can pull up with your car, and tune to a radio station, then the lights blink and change to the music. The kids really liked it. I thought it was the coolest thing EVER! My mom sister and my sisters best friend (we claim her too) are pictured above. The later part of Christmas eve is spent at my memas house. This is all of the grandkids.
We always take a smiling picture and a crazy picture every year. We also always take it on that same couch. we are really starting to outgrow that thing.. when people start bringing in the great grandkids we are really going to have to get creative!
Christmas day is always filled with family, traditions, and love.
My husband :)
I also love that I get to see my best friend on Christmas every year now! She married my first cousin.
The family picture tradition continues on my dads side of the family. we always take a smiling picture and a silly picture every year in front of the tree. One day I will make my grandparents a book of each picture through the Christmas.. that would be a great idea for next Christmas actually.. hmmm... the possibilities!
Then the picture of my amazing family. My parents are so giving.I can't believe how much they sacrificed for me throughout the years. They are among the most giving people I know, and have always treasured family, time with family, and the love that we share. I am so very blessed to have grown up in a godly home with a godly example to follow. I just love my parents. They are seriously the best!
The next day I took my cousin shopping for re-decorating her room. I am going to post more about that later when I have before and after pictures.. but it is going to be to die for. Then the very next day we went to Texas, where we finished up celebrating Christmas and also got to enjoy new years with them. It is always a special time when I get to see my in laws! I love them all SO much.
We all opened our stockings and Christmas presents from each other. Our parents really out did themselves this year. Zach and Lauren opened our gifts to them as well. I only wish we could see them more often!
We went to Jeff's mema's later that afternoon, where we had even more time with family and spend the evening playing games. :)
All the siblings and their significant others :)
The family picture. Christmas 2012.
just one of the little goodies we received that night. My mother in law made us these adorable snowmen. She even did them in the tan colors so they will match my living room. She is so crafty, creative, and thoughtful. Only a few reasons why I adore her so.
Jeff also had the opportunity to preach at his home church while we were in town. He did an amazing job. I didn't get a picture of him preaching, but his mom and I took one by the tree in our matching outfits :)
We also had the opportunity to visit Nana, and eat yummy blue bell ice cream.
For New Years, we got sparklers, and had a fun night together at the house. We enjoyed time together, played games and had wayyyyy to much fun trying to spell words with sparklers!
First up, the word we, spelled by Debbie and Ron
Then love and 2013 spelled by David, Lauren, Brianna and Jeff.
And that folks, is how you spend a Christmas vacation :)
