Like I posted last year:
For as long as I can remember my mom and dad required each Christmas that we children stood by our Christmas gifts and took a picture.
We then would feel tortured when they required us to video tape ourselves telling the camera everything we got for Christmas, along with thanking the grandparents (etc.) for the gifts we got. We now laugh at those videos and can see the yearly changes that happen as one grows older.
Well, right now it is just Shay and me
and I have to keep the "tradition" alive.
I have a habit of keeping all "traditions" alive
(I am the perfect Fiddler on the Roof personality!).
So here is to another Christmas year!
To start the traditions right, Shay and I read from the scriptures about the birth of Christ. That is a tradition that will continue throughout our lives! We then decided to open one present from my brother and his family!
They spoiled us rotten!
Trying to get a photo of it all with our dog Lucy in the picture was almost impossible!
I tried every tactic to get her to sit for the picture......I was not too successful!
Of course Shay comes to the rescue and we get a shot of them both and our load from my brother and his family!
They gave us items for Lucy, which was SO welcomed!
Cooking items and way too many gift cards to the movie theaters!
Shay and I love to go see movies in the theater!
It was a great Christmas Eve!
On Christmas day we were finally able to make it home just before midnight and able to open presents.
Here Shay is opening one of his presents from me. Shay loves a good movie and politics so I thought I would combine the two and purchase a movie on American presidents. He seemed to like it!
Shay was really excited about his books that I had a hard time getting him to put them away and take our traditional Christmas photos!
Come on Shay let's take a picture please!
Now remember it is now AFTER midnight!
Shay is a night owl and I am definitely not!
So I decided to let him continue to read while I set up his display!
Love that Shay is so excited about his book!
He finally peeled himself away from the book.
Taking pictures of all the wonderful stuff Shay received this year!
I have no idea what happened to this picture, too bad because it was the best smile of all of them! :-(
Upon closer look I realized I had missed something:
Not only had I purchased 2 jackets for Shay for Christmas (he sure needed new ones), he also received a new jacket from his brother as well. This was the year of doubles!
So I had to take a new picture, which Shay was OH so happy to take! :--)
Shay spoiled me this year! I have always wanted a large Nativity set and this year he splurged and bought me one!
It is beautiful!
I can't wait to put it up next year! He also got me a pitcher I had been eyeing at Costco and a book I wanted.
(CAUTION: Immediately started the book that night and had to take it back the next day! TERRIBLE language. I was SO disappointed....Shay then allowed me to pick 3 new books to replace it! Shay always spoils me!).
Here is me with my Christmas load! Shay's brother bought me the pillow you can see on the left. Shay's mother bought me the pressure cooker, sheets, and decorative holder. She also bought Shay and I the white nativity set you can see below the pillow.
We LOVE it!
I guess this is the year of nativity sets!
Wanted to get a closer picture of Shay, Oh I mean the nativity set! ;-)
The next few pictures are the decorations found within our house.
I love to decorate and make our home feel really festive!
This year I went for a hot pink garland.
Each year I try to do something completely different.
The garland matched my crazy funky Christmas tree that I put up this year!
The whole look:
A new garland look as well:
Went simple in the entrance way:
Santa picture creates the theme in this room.
Shay bought me this picture and I absolutely LOVE it!
I have been putting two trees together for a few years now.
It is very different but to us it is beautiful. Adds extra lights in the room and a warm that is very inviting:
As you can see here, I really enjoy collecting nativities from around the world. The nativity on the very right was our new addition from our trip to Cancun this last summer.
Had to keep a bit traditional with the garland in the front entryway:
We did not lack snow this year, that is for sure:
The next day I took a few last pictures (as seen below):
Then the clean up began.
This year was very special! Our friends had us over for Christmas breakfast and to see their children, whom we love dearly. We then made the rounds to Misty's home (Shay's sister), my grandmother's, Paul's (My brother), and finally to Shay's parents. We enjoyed see everyone and spending time with them. I have NO idea why I didn't take pictures during the day. Super bummed about it! After spending the rest of the day at Shay's parent's home, we stopped by Mike's home (Shay's old roommate and best friend). We loved the opportunity to share some Christmas time with him. Then we made it home at around midnight.
We feel so blessed to live by so many family members and great friends!
Merry Christmas All!
Hope it was as good for you as it was for us!
