Ho Ho Ho friends!!! I am back after the most wonderful holiday {yes, I think I always say that, but this time I truly mean it}… I have to admit, it was really hard to get back in the work groove this morning, but then I remembered how many people are out at my office and knew everything would be OK so I could multitask and knock out my checklist one thing at a time.
Did you all have a fantabulous Christmas celebration too??? Each year, my family agrees to cut back on everything..food AND presents, yet it never seems to happen… we do love to give!!
I received some HUGE surprises this year, and was beyond shocked at some of my lovely presents that I unwrapped on Christmas Day from my family–so happy for all my new fun goodies… The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo book, a Williams-Sonoma Breakfast/Brunch cookbook, 2 bottles of perfume (Daisy and Covet), bath products, clothes, money and giftcards, a new painting, 2 sets of comfy pajamas, a gold Love and Luck necklace from Dogeared, 2 new scarves, new Asics running shoes, the Sex and the City 2 DVD, workout clothes, candles, a 2010 Christmas ornament, loads of candy and my favorite Moose Munch, a new Bose system for the house, and of course a few of my favorite things:
A Fabulous New Gray DKNY Coat
A New Michael Kors Red Leather Bag–
my Mom said she just HAD to get it for me…lol
my Mom said she just HAD to get it for me…lol
And the biggest surprise of them all… a Nikon D3000 Camera!!! I have wanted an SLR for SO long and thanks to Jeff, I now have one… with all the traveling we have coming up this next year and wedding fun, I know this will get lots of action–YAY!!!
Even better than the gifts was the quality time I was able to spend with my entire family. Christmas Eve morning, Jeff and I were up at it early taking care of a few action items… he desperately needed new casual clothes so we made stops at Brooks Brothers and Gap and I may have just found some “necessities” too–hey, don’t judge–the sales were THAT good I promise ;). That afternoon, I wraped up my baking and then we got ready for church with the parents. Down the snow started coming, but it was perfect–a WHITE Christmas in TN rarely happens so we felt very blessed. After candlelight church, we headed to Ruth’s Chris for dinner and wined and dined ourselves until we couldn’t take anymore. Then we headed to my parent’s house for a fun night of dessert wine and chocolates {like we needed it} and a fun game of Yahtzee to round out the night. At 1AM, we called it a night and headed to bed!
Christmas morning, we were up BEFORE dawn to get the presents unwrapped and let the fun begin… in our family, we take turns opening presents so we can see what everyone gets and it makes it so much more fun for all of us to enjoy! After about 2 hours of nonstop present action, Jeff got ready to head to Knoxville before the weather got bad, and we said our goodbyes.
Then the parents and I got ready to head to my Gran and Papa’s to celebrate Christmas with the rest of our family. We indulged in SO much food… ham, green beans, deviled eggs, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, corn, rolls, and then WAY too many desserts–divinty, fudge, coconut cake, red velvet cake balls, cookies, chocolate chip cheesecake, jam cake, and devil’s food cake–yes, all of that for 12 people and we are still munching on leftovers DAYS later. Then we all opened presents and relaxed the rest of the afternoon. When the snow started falling again, we gathered for dinner and then headed home early to relax. We all cuddled up on the couch and watched Eat.Pray.Love…luckily for me, I didn’t ruin the end of the book because I fell asleep within 15 minutes of the movie starting–haha. Lights out for my Christmas night!
Sunday morning, we slept in and then Dad was nice enough to give me some tutorials for my new camera–this Nikon thing is going to take some getting used to, but it’s really fun to see the difference versus my small digital camera. That afternoon, we headed to the movies to see County Strong with Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw… and to be honest, the movie was really good!! Even my macho man Dad enjoyed it and the music was fantastic–a must see if you’re a southerner/county music fan. Afterwards, we met Jeff who had just gotten back into town from Knoxville and had our “last pre-diet supper” at Macaroni Grill…totally went all out!! A fantastic Christmas weekend spent with my family… nothing could make me happier.
Here is my weekend picture recap:
Red velvet cake balls… notice one missing?? Jeff was the culprit!
Me and Jeff dressed up on Christmas Eve
My adorable Mom and Dad
Back at the parents’ house for wine and chocolate!
Christmas Morning!!! Look at all those presents
Some of our stocking goodies!!
No makeup–can’t believe I am posting this–haha! Can you tell it’s early here??
Bella with her Christmas coat on–hehe
Someone was a little grumpy pre-breakfast
Me and my Dad
Woo Hoo!! Cannot wait for next year’s Christmas–we’ll be married!!!
Awww….
Mom opening her presents!
And now it’s Jeff’s turn…
And Dad…
One of my presents… my Mom’s wrapping is incredible
Fast forward to Gran’s house… check out just some of the homemade treats!
My cousin Carter and my Dad
Lunch time!!! My Gran is the BEST cook
Mom and Carter all snuggled up
My Gran and Papa (and I know my BFF’s are smiling right
now because they match–of course!)
now because they match–of course!)
Mom, Me, and Dad
Another Christmas down in the books… now I can’t wait to fill out my memory book for this year and start getting ready for this weekend’s NYE fun in the mountains with some of our closest friends. I hope you all had a magical Christmas and were able to spend it with those you love most!! OXOX
What a fantastic time you had! Love all of your pictures!!!
I am loving ALL the pictures!! You look beautiful! So glad you guys had a marvelous Christmas! It sounds like you were spolied by the Christmas Elves đ
Christmas is such a wondeful time and I too enjoy all the family time that is spent during this time of year!
Next year you'll get to celebrate your Merry Married Christmas! =) YAY!
Love that handbag! I am new to your blog and am now your newest follower! xo
Looks like you had such a wonderful Christmas đ I also was surprised with a Nikon SLR…I cannot WAIT to get going with it! I'm also looking forward to hearing about your wedding plans as your newest follower…I got married this year and it still feels like a dream! xoxo {av}
your mom has good purse taste! can't wait to see pictures of ya toting your new purse! It's a funny thing about cameras…. when digital first hit the scene, it was all about having a small camera….truth be told you want quality images you get a bigger SLR camera đ
You look so pretty. Merry Christmas!
New to your blog, thanks for sharing your Holiday – I loved all the pictures, looks like you all had a blast đ ps – love the bag!
Gorgeous purse and great pics – looks like you had a great Christmas!
I got SATC2 on DVD, too! I actually started watching it last night (but turned it off because it was getting late) and I can't wait to get home and finish it. Love it so far!
Love all of your sweet pictures. Sounds like you had an amazing Christmas đ
Love the new red Michael Kors!!! Glad you had a GREAT Christmas!
Sounds like a great Christmas! I'm lusting after your camera! haha. I would love to get a camera like that. Probably will have to wait till after grad school for that, I'll just consider it working on my patience đ
I DID smile when I saw the pics of your grandparents! They are so sweet… I love that they always coordinate outfits.
LOVE IT great photos and makeup or no makeup you are totally adorable!
Love your pics! Glad y'all had a fun Christmas!
I got a red MK bag from my mom too! Love it!
Sounds like a fabulous Christmas! I got Daisy & a new camera too! I can't wait to figure out how to use it! Hope you have a great week!
wow girl santa was good to y'all đ so i have to know how you make the red velvet balls seriously?! please send me a recipe! they look sooo yummy!!! glad you had a great christmas đ
Santa brought me the Christmas memories book , I can not wait to fill it out :)!!
Looks like you had a wonderful time! The balls look SO good, I hope everyone gobbled them up! Happy Christmas!
It really looks like y'all had the perfect Christmas đ Love those presents, we had such a similar Christmas list! Loved reading all of your recaps! Can't wait to hear about New Year's plans!
Lovely pictures! Seems like you have a happy family. Happy New Year!
Sherman Unkefer
Gran and Papa are SO cute! I'm so glad I will get to see more of them in 2011–the WEDDING YEAR đ
Love all of your Christmas pictures. It really looks like a great time with the family!
I love reading this. It is so exciting how last year, you were excited for this year as your first christmas as a married couple, now next year y'all will have a DAUGHTER. How blessed are you?
xoxo