Valentine's in the Rear View Mirror

I don't know about you, but we had a wonderful Valentine's Day. It was delightfully cliche - even down to waiting an hour for a table at our restaurant! (FYI, go to dinner before you see a movie, not after!) But it was okay because we were having fun just being together!

What is quickly becoming a Valentine's Day tradition (this was our second together as a married couple - where the heck does the time go?!) returned once again to my kitchen: Chocolate mousse. Oh. My. Gosh. You like chocolate? Coffee? Yeah, this mousse is for you. It's rich enough to make you sick, but it's worth it!

And a fun new tradition we have established! Chocolate covered strawberries. So delicious! Two ingredients! Strawberries + chocolate = awesomeness.

Somewhere in the middle of the day the doorbell rang and there was this handsome guy wearing aviators and a plaid button down leaning up against the doorpost holding these beautiful things. He asked me to be his Valentine... I of course couldn't resist! :)

Like my card-making skills right there?

Yeah... It was a little bit of a chocolate overload. We kind of went to sleep feeling sick... But it was so worth it!! I hope you had a day filled with love and sweet surprises!

PS: Go see "The Vow" - it's such a beautiful love story! (Yes, we saw "The Vow" on Valentine's Day. I warned you it was a cliche day!)


PSS: A big thank you to my precious parents who made our day so much more special with their thoughtfulness and packaged surprises! They're pretty much the best!

A Christmas Day Affair

Unlike most people, our family celebrates the bulk of Christmas on Christmas Eve. We don't wake up at 6am to open gifts... We stay up til 2am opening them! It's a beautiful tradition of darkness, candlelight and Nat King Cole that we have all fallen in love with! The one exception to this holiday order is precious Evan. He's a little too young to stay up with the big kids, so Christmas morning was full of "oooh's" and "aahhh's" from the little man. It was so fun to watch the delight on his face as he slowly begins to understand that Christmas isn't any ordinary day! 

After all the gifts were opened and paper thrown away, we got our relaxation on. Books were read, toys were played with... and dinner was made! A beautiful Christmas with amazing people... can't get much better than that! And if I am being honest, I truly miss the holiday.  

 Evan's first light saber!

 "I really don't want to be wearing an apron."

 Christmas Day was quite the afternoon for reading! This was the sight around the house literally all day!

Another table setting for another delicious holiday meal! Between you and me, I can't stand Thanksgiving turkey (and about everything else on the table). Christmas is far more my pace... ham, pistachio salad, sweet potato muffins, smoked weenies (is that what they're called??) and a fresh salad. Can we say yum? I'm still getting over the Christmas goodness!!

Christmas 2011..... One in and for the history books!

A Family Christmas

We waited with anticipation for the evening to come, excited for festivities that had not yet begun. 

Brownies were baked, and clam chowder made, presents were wrapped and music softly played. 

We waited all year for this night to arrive, for Christmas Eve to once again come alive. 

As the sun went down, we made our way to the candlelight service in town. 

Tiny flickers of light filled the room as carols were sung in beautiful tune. 

When the lights had been snuffed, and winter coats pulled tight, we opened the doors and braved the cold winters' night. 

Twinkle lights were seen as we headed home, granting us delight though we were all grown. 

Into the house we came filled with pure joy, though all adults, we felt like little girls and boys.  

Food was set out, the candles were lit, and my dear sister-in-law's clam chowder was the season's big hit. Her homemade bread blew us away, adding to an already wonderful day. 

We paused for a moment as we brought out the cake, a special tradition for Baby Jesus' sake. 

We sang him a song, to celebrate his birth, all experiencing such heartfelt mirth. 

Like children we went downstairs to wait, as Mom and Dad set out the gifts, adding cookies and fudge on decorative plates. 

More candles were lit and lights were turned low, as festive music made the room feel aglow. 

When our names were all called from the room down below, we jumped up like children at the sight of first snow. 

We bounded into the room with hearts full of joy, smiles on the faces of each girl and boy. 

Presents were given and hugs exchanged, the cookies were eaten and the eggnog was drained. 

Though the gifts were all fun and very much loved, the true gift that was given came from above. 

Jesus' life was the first present given and continues to be, the gift of eternal life for those who receive it... for you and for me.  

 He's so stinkin' handsome if I do say so myself!

 Me and my Mama!

His Birth & Our New Birth

Some fun reactions of the night!

And quite possibly one of the best! Crazy little brother of mine!

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Adorable, fun and memorable moments, courtesy of my mom! (I am, by the way, the queen. And queens never bargain! ;)

I hope your Christmas was as amazing and wonderful as ours!