A New Christmas

Ok, so Christmas isn't new, but for me this year it is.  I was on call this weekend so my plans were few and mostly included doing stuff around the house since being on call lately has been quite eventful.  God was gracious and I ended up having a quiet weekend with the pager and didn't even have to go in Saturday to do a tour.  So, I was able to relax before the whirlwind that is Steve, Jake's younger brother, comes to town Tuesday.  Sunday my mission was to bake, bake and bake.  Last year I didn't really bake much, mostly because I was planning a wedding and was obsessively watching what I ate for fear of hating my wedding photos, we all know how that turned out...I love them! (but for reasons beyond how I look).  

I began baking Sunday morning  and didn't finish until around 3.  It was so nice to be in our house, listening to Christmas music while Jake napped upstairs knowing that this year I was baking for "My" family, not to take stuff to work or give as gifts but for "My" family.  Jake decided that he was going to help with the chocolate chip cookies (his favorite):

Not to worry though, he really didn't eat that, and now he has lots of yummy cookies.

The realization that my life is now totally different kept washing over me.  Even a year ago it didn't feel this good, and a year ago I wasn't sure how it could get better, being in love, planning a wedding, but now, making a home with the man I love more than I thought humanly possible is so much better.  So, this Christmas is like none I've experienced and I'm sure there are many more surprises and warm feelings around the corner.

Many Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Whew...What a weekend!

Well, this weekend was a busy one, but it was great!  It started Friday night when we met Amber, Jason and Miss Megan in Glendale for a quick, and I mean quick visit with Santa a little bounce in a house and off to dinner.  We hadn't planned on meeting them in Glendale, but everything just worked out for the best.  Jake had never seen downtown all lit up so it was great.  It was so great to catch up and have lots of laughs over dinner.  Saturday morning I took Jake's Mom Christmas shopping, it was a nice time and its always fun to spend time with her, yes I am talking about my mother in law, what can I say, I'm blessed:).  After a bit of rest Jake and I met Lisa, Wade and all of the Egglets at Zoolights.  Here is the walk way up to the zoo;

Wow, I bet your thinking gosh that's a lot of people, well your right!  We went with the Egglet family last year one weekend later and it wasn't as crazy as it was on Saturday.  I kept saying that it felt like being at Disneyland but not quite as organized.  We had a great time, here is Lees and I at the beginning of the night;
Its always so fun to hang out with them, Jake loves Noah, but shhhhh...don't tell his Mom.  We are already getting those not so subtle baby hints. :) And yep, a newer picture of me and my sweet husband.  
While at the zoo, Noah got a souvenir and so did Jake...this is Jake's new ride along in the work truck.
I told Jake his eyes were a bit freaky, but I guess they grow on you...well...maybe not.  And just as quickly as it started the night ended and Addie was still smiling, of course she was also ready to get down and give the monkeys are run for their money but Lisa managed to keep her out of the monkey cage.  She is just too cute!
Noah took a little time away from looking for airplanes to take a picture with Jake and I. We had a great time.  
As always it was a wonderful time to hang out and visit.  As you can see Jake got to use his new camera and these are just a few of the pictures he took, he was like a paparazzi, there were flashes everywhere.  As I'm writing we are watching Christmas Vacation, a Christmas classic.  Who doesn't experience some part of the Griswold holiday?  I can't believe Christmas is 11 days away.  I'm excited to do some holiday baking next weekend and I'm really looking forward to getting together with family and friends.  This year has already brought so many blessings I'm excited for what the future holds.  

Thanksgiving

Well, I'm only a few weeks late with this post but here goes.  We spent Thanksgiving with Jake's family and his brother came into town.  Here is Jake preparing to carve the turkey, I love the apron don't you :)

And here is a picture of Stephen trying to sneak a bite of the freshly carved turkey

I'd say that sneaking things isn't normally in Steve's nature, but that wouldn't be quite accurate.  We spent lots of time running around with his family and went to see the move  Four Christmases, I along with the rest of Jake's family found it hysterical.  We did find time over the weekend to finish the decorating at our house, here is Jake putting the star on the tree
Isn't he cute????  I think so.  I was pretty pleased how the tree turned out this year, I'll admit that I did most of the decorating when Jake was busy doing other stuff, but he was there to help. Here is a picture of the finished tree, looks pretty darn good:)
Jake was also around to put these special ornaments on our tree.  Most of you know that we love Disneyland and we got these as a wedding present...they look great...Thanks Deb!
So we are all ready for Christmas, our shopping is done and now we can just sit back and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season.  We have a busy couple of weeks coming up, but its all good stuff.  Hope you all are enjoying your Christmas season!