Christmas

Here's a quick look at our Christmas (and Eve)! Kyle had the 24th and 25th off, so we just hung around at home for the most part, watching some holiday films, going for a night neighborhood walk to see all the lights (Temple, TX showed up with the lights), forcing Luna into a Santa hat ever so briefly, you know. We skyped/facetimed with our families which was nice. I made a super festive sangria that I wish more people were around to drink because what's left is still just sitting in a punch bowl on the kitchen table.

- S

2013 Holiday Card

Just sharing a look at the Christmas cards we sent out this year. I love anything and all things from Rifle Paper Co., so I knew well in advance of the season where I would be ordering cards from this year. I picked these two and they are just beautiful and simple. I like that they have more generalized, uplifting messages rather than a specific holiday greeting. We also wrote a letter to update folks on what we've been up to (as a social worker I am mostly paranoid that most people think that all social workers do is take children away from families); apparently Kyle and I haven't done anything cool together this year, so, oops on that. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Holiday Cupcakes

My sister (aka the cupcake fairy), who is a manager at Georgetown Cupcake in Boston as you may recall, sent us some holiday cupcakes. They are so pretty, so yes this post is just pictures of some cupcakes. Enjoy. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Scenes of the Season

Winter. Christmas. A New Year.
I love the lights. I love the cold air. I love the movies, the music, the message. I know it will be over all too soon, so I am determined to soak it in as much as possible. I hope you have the chance to do the same!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

week in photos

The rest of the holidays in PA and our return to Texas...

Christmas nails/ sink obsessed/ gift wrap/ nap by the tree

my best wrapped gift, for my brother/ advent/ stuffing/ jolly

Austrian drink/ midnight on Christmas/ Christmas eve meal/ playing with kitties

Toms/ Lego architecture/ fruit cake/ Christmas snow

watch!/ appropriate footwear/ drive to Pittsburgh/ in-laws tree

Christmas day travels/ Kyle, his brothers and cousins/ Pittsburgh tree/ morning at Ome's

snow storm- Pittsburgh/  Snuggie action/ Snow storm- State College

morning shoveling/ John's birthday/ Canadian's pup/ coffee with Abigail

snowy Starbucks/ comfy Toms/ hux in a bag/ Dar watching a toy helicopter

lots of Indian food/ Sheridyn and Bear/ fun hat/ flakie

wine/ Herwigs/ holiday Georgetown Cupcakes/ yum 

 movie night/ rest stop in VA/ hotel breakfast/ traveling darwin

Mississippi river/ Hux traveling/ late lunch/ home!

Finnish mits/ swatch/ Mr. Nutcracker/ movies!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Four Christmases

At least four, plus a couple birthdays. Mom's, in-laws, Kyle's extended family in Pittsburgh, Dad's, and the Canadians came down yesterday (which was also my brother John's 21st birthday!). It has been a whirlwind, particularly driving back from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, which took 5 hours instead of 2.5, but movies tell me that the holidays are supposed to be like this? It is been surprisingly pleasant for the most part, and we certainly got the snow I was hoping for! We do our big dinner on Christmas eve, as the 25th is my mom's birthday. Then I went to 11pm church with Kyle's family. We spent Christmas morning at my mom's, went over to the in-laws for stockings and gifts, left for Pittsburgh for a 24 hour visit with his extended family, and returned 2 hours late to my dad's dinner. Here's some photos from Christmastime...

Christmas Eve

John and Isaac tasting John's Austrian holiday drink

Christmas 1

Christmas 2 and 3

Christmas 4

and I leave you with this....

Erica, Kyle, John- snuggie action

- From the desk of Mrs. M