December at a Long Glance

I am well aware that you are awaiting wedding and honeymoon details.  However, I have OCD issues and must post on my blog in the proper order.  Since December comes before January you must read of my December adventures first.  Luckily I just stuck them all in one post!  You're welcome.  Perhaps that means I will get to January faster, but don't hold your breath.

 

On December 4, 2012 Travis and I went out with our friends Zach and Ashley.  We went to dinner and then walked around Temple Square.  I love the lights at Temple Square, it was so beautiful! 

 

Thanks for the fun evening Zach and Ashley!  We love when we get to see them!

 

 



Sunday December 9, 2012 was the annual Holladay Girls Christmas Party.  Even though we have all moved on to different wards we still make an effort to get together.  This is one of my favorite evenings of the whole year!  Simply put, I have the most fabulous friends!  I am a better person because I have them in my life.  You have never met such amazing and beautiful women.

 

This year we had a new guest.  Lisa's friend, Olivia, visited with us from Africa.  It was so fascinating to listen to her story and hear of the incredible good works she is doing there.  It made me appreciate what I have so much more.  I hope that I will never take all that I have for granted.  I am a very blessed individual.

Seriously, greatest friends EVER!!

 



I am part of a Stampin' Up stamp club and I love it!  December 14, 2012 was our December gathering and we had all sorts of projects to complete.  I took a picture of the picture frame I finished.  I love it!  It was fun to have on display in my house during Christmas time.

 



 

 

That brings us to Christmas!  I love, love, love Christmas!  Travis and I spent Christmas Eve evening with his family and then I was on my way to spend the night at my parents' house.  Mason, Taylor, and Emma all were home for the weekend so our whole family was together.  There will never be anything like Christmas morning with my family.  Travis joined us just in time to open presents.

My mom sent us all an e-mail asking for our Christmas Wish List.  All she got back from Mason was, "1 million dollars."  Isn't he helpful?  So, Christmas morning he had 1 present under the tree...

And there's his million dollars!

 

Then my dad pulled out the rest of Mason's presents. :)

Shelby got to spend the night with me at my parents' and spend the morning playing with her new cousin Toby.  It didn't take long for her to get tired of Toby and overwhelmed with all the Christmas festivities.

The grandpuppies all tuckered out!

A soon to be highlight in the lives of Mason and Taylor will be the grand opening of Chik-Fil-A in St. George.  To add to the anticipation Emma gave them gift cards and insisted they wear the accompanying crowns.  They wear them well don't they?

 

When we were finished at my parents' we packed up and headed east to Grandpa George's house.  Christmas traditions are something I look forward to every year.  This year we were missing our cousin Sam who is serving a mission in Russia.  We were also greatly missing our dear Grandma Shirley.  This was our first Christmas without her and every person in the room spent the morning thinking of her.  I know that she spent time with the chaos in the living room that morning, and as Grandpa tearfully said, "This is all her fault."

At the end of the day, after spending the evening with the Rogers family, Travis and I loaded up our gifts and unloaded at my house.  Can you believe how much we got???  We are so blessed and surrounded by much generosity.  Merry Christmas!

This is where my Darcy spent most of December, hanging out under the Christmas tree.  He's got quite the Christmas spirit.

 



And finally we have an update on the wedding chain.  I cannot believe how quickly that chain got short!  When I made it with it's original 138 chains I thought it would never end, but I sure was wrong.  Wow!!!

 

And that, my friends, is December at a glance.  I am so blessed.  I am surrounded by amazing and generous people, I have a cute little home that I worked hard for and I love, I have a great family and I can honestly tell you that I am very happy.