Christmas

I haven't posted anything new in a while because we've been insanely busy. Here are some highlights:

-My birthday was the first week of December. We celebrated by having a Bunko party with friends.
-Michael and I celebrated our two year anniversary in Rockaway Beach. We stayed at Harbor Villa on the coast.

-We had Christmas with my dad's family, and then spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Michael's parents at our house here in Salem. This picture is Michael after he ran into his dad's room to wake him up on Christmas morning. And his sister Amy is on the phone.
-The day after Christmas we drove to Idaho and spent time with Michael's family: cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. We had a white elephant exchange, each person bringing something with the letter "S" (the last letter in Christmas). Michael got a Snow Scraper and I got a Starbucks package with a thermos and coffee. Michael also won the Ankeny Ping Pong Tournament.
-We all got sick while we were in Idaho, so this is a picture of us all sitting around with the flu. It was so bizarre, everyone but Nick, Amy and Devonne and Kenny were sick. It was the pits!-For New Year's Eve our friends Katelyn and Brett came up to visit from California. This is our second New Year's Eve with them.

Michael started back to work on January 2nd, and I go back to school on the 11th. I'm getting pretty nervous about starting my semester at the end of the month, but I'm excited too.
My New Year's resolution is to (of course) lose weight by working out and eating right. I started my training for the Hood to Coast in August. I'm also reading through the Daily Bible, which puts the Bible in chronological order in 365 segments, to finish in the year.

Christmas Decorations

Friday night we got our Christmas tree!! I was so excited because this is our first REAL tree since we've been married. We rearranged our living room and now it's cozy and feels like Christmas. I had a permanent smile on my face all night.

Today I decided to use up some of the branches we cut off the bottom of the tree and made a couple wreaths. It was so fun. I had never really done it before, but I think they turned out well.
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

35 Days Until Christmas!!!!!!!

It's true. I counted.

I pulled out my Christmas decorations yesterday, to the "silent protest" of my husband (his words). As I put up my nativity scene and sang to my Christmas CD's, I was reminded of how much I love this time of year.

Yes, I have heard of those grinches out there who believe Christmas music (and all the decorations and hoop-la that goes with it) should be limited to a tight After-Thanksgiving-Until-Christmas Day schedule, but I couldn't disagree more.

I walked into Starbucks the other day and my mood changed. I was happy and cheery. Yes, partly it was the peppermint mocha I bought, but I had to buy it, to match the festive decor of the store. (No need to point out that yes, I am a sucker for this type of advertisement). Those decorations and all the Christmas happiness and joy that comes with the season is what put me in a great mood. That, along with the realization that another Christmas is almost here. My 3rd Christmas as MRS. Santa. :)

And of course, as I put up my decorations (scant as they may be), I had to acknowledge that Christmas is sooo over-commercialized. But I don't care, because I know the real meaning of Christmas, and I'm so excited it's just around the corner!!

Ready or not people...CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!