Holiday Happenings

Readers Note: After writing this post I realized I should have made 3 posts instead of jumbled it all into one...oh well. Also, I got my new lens, hence the picture overload. Enjoy!

I don't think I realized how much my life had changed this year until Christmastime. In past Christmases I've had no husband, had a father, had no nieces and nephews, and also have no second family to visit with. Normally on Christmas in the past I would spend a quiet day with my mom and dad and visit with the Thomas's (our family friends). So much has changed in a year and all these changes were more apparent than ever at Christmas. I have so much to be grateful for and feel so blessed for the family and friends I have around me. 

Before I go on let me first announce Haley had her BABY! Woo hoo! We were so happy Mr. Owen Daniel was able to join us right before Christmas. She is happy and healthy and both her and the baby are fine and loving life. It's so fun to see her and Danny doing the whole baby thing and I'm so happy for them, they are turning out to be great parents!(read more about her beautiful birthing story here) We have been able to spend a lot of time with them and I absolutely love this little love chug so much! He's already so photogenic and makes some of the most awesome expressions that I've had a blast capturing.

I am obsessed with his little button nose and beautiful face.

 My mom is having a hay-day with this little guy. She is so good with him and knows just how to cuddle him to keep him happy. She's a pro and I can tell she loves him so much already!

Finally, can I just add there is absolutely nothing better than having a hot husband cuddle an adorable newborn baby? I love seeing Andrew with all our nephews and niece, and seeing him hold Owen...I have died and gone to heaven.

Next, as I said earlier, this is my first married Christmas, and having a husband who has good style and picks out good gifts rocks. :) Our Christmas was magical and we had so much fun starting our own traditions this year and enjoying our first Christmas in our little apartment together. We woke up together and exchanged gifts (among other awesome gifts, he got me rollerblades without even asking, uh-mazing)

The night before, on Christmas Eve Andrew's mom put together a gorgeous (as always) dinner for the family. We had a delicious Honey Baked ham and had lots of fun exchanging gifts and having the traditional 'fashion show' showing off our new jammies (pajamas). Andrew had told his mom earlier he "didn't want any pajamas this year" because he never wears the ones he gets, so his mom surprised him with these beauties...

Yes, he is a lunatic and wore them proudly the whole night. He even went over to my mom's house in them and was surprised to see our neighbors at our house. They were clearly uncomfortable and it was awesome. 

Can I also add I have the cutest niece in the world? Miss Kate is such a cutie and looked adorable in her new Christmas dress. I could eat her cheeks...

We had a good time eating yummy food, playing music, and hanging out with the fam on Christmas Eve. Here are a few more pics from our fabulous evening...

Josh and Brianny Jammin to Christmas tunes

The party was fabulous and we had a blast. The next day, after Andrew and I opened presents on Christmas morning we headed up to my mom's house to open presents and have our traditional Cinnamon Roll breakfast. We were spoiled by Andrews parents and my mom big time, I don't know how we got such great parents. My favorite thing my mom got me was my new Canon 50mm lens and I absolutely love it. To be honest it was difficult not having my dad here this year, it's difficult to do anything new without him. For some reason the hardest part of Christmas this year for me was sitting down to breakfast to eat our Cinnamon Rolls and not have him there to make fun of his crazy hair or something. Even though I missed my dad a lot we had a great rest of the day and the Thomases came over for dinner at my mom's. We stayed and talked and laughed with our group and a fun evening.

Andrew modeling his new presents: basketball, watch, and the full book Les Miserables

Mom decorating the table for dinner...keeping it classy as always

 Andrew's parents also took us to Donny and Marie (I didn't get any pictures..boo..) but it was awesome and I now have a crush on Donny and Andrew has a crush on Marie. It was fun to see 65 year old women crawling through the crowd to touch Donny's hand while he sang 'Puppy Love'. It was a great night.

I also had my NINTH annual Christmas friend party with some of my best girlfriends from high school. We had the party and my best friend Courtney's house (they just moved into a gorgeous townhome in Draper, I drool over it...) and we had a blast. 

Cassidy's cute babe Calvin

Overall, it was a fabulous holiday break and I am so blessed to have so many awesome family and friends. Merry Christmas everyone! 

xoxo 
steph