Christmas Recap

Well it was another successful Christmas in Indiana! This holiday continues to be my favorite and my family doesn't disappoint! We left Atlanta around 2:00 pm on Friday afternoon and arrived in Franklin at 10:00 pm. I thought for sure Friday would be a terrible drive. Special thanks to my boss for letting me leave early!

I spent Friday night and Saturday morning with Dylan's family. It is tradition (don't ask me when this started) in my family to have lunch at a local bar in Franklin. My family and some close friends gather for lunch and a few bloody mary's before starting a marathon of Christmas celebrations.

My Aunt, Grandma, Mom and Sister relaxing at The B & G

After lunch we went straight to my Grandma's for Christmas with my dad's side of the family, then headed to the lake for the rest of the weekend. Last year we had our first Christmas on Grandview lake in the new house! I LOVE this new tradition. On Christmas Eve we invited a few lake friends over for a little holiday cheer.

You can never have too much Christmas decor! :)

Playing Dirty Bingo... as in people stealing prizes from each other!

The big gift of the weekend... Bucky Balls! More on that in the next post.

Christmas morning started with gifts, gifts and more gifts. I think I said it a thousand times that day... our family went overboard this year! We are very blessed indeed. The marathon continued throughout the day.
It really didn't feel like Christmas when Dylan and James decided to break out the wet suits and test out a new water toy...

James' new paddle board!

After their dip in the water we prepared for Christmas dinner... another favorite! We continued the traditions with lottery tickets, party crackers and Brandy Alexanders! We had a few $1 winners at the table, but Abby hit the jackpot when she scratched off $100! Here are a few more photos throughout the night.

 

Katie sportin' her party cracker eye patch!

Favorite moments of the night...

Finding out I'm going to Florida with my favorite sister and cousin's in January! GIRLS TRIP!!!Thanks to Lauren and Katie, we are going to escape the cold for 3 days to relax and spend some much needed time together. Fingers crossed for warm weather!!!

Can't wait for a weekend of fun with these ladies!!!

Second favorite thing....

Watching Walter open gifts for everyone. He loved it!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend! We got so many great gifts... let the thank you notes begin! 

XOXO,

T

A Very Siri Christmas

I don't use Siri that much, but I love this Christmas commercial Apple came up with this year!



Can't wait to head home in 2 days!!! Merry Christmas!

XOXO,
T

Christmas Countdown:

You always want the exact time when discussing the Countdown to Christmas!

Christmas is almost here and I couldn't be more excited! Actually I could, but I don't have enough vacation to make that happen. Honestly I can't believe it's already December 13th. I've been ready to celebrate Christmas since before Thanksgiving. Michael Buble is my Christmas music of choice this year and I can't get enough. I think I will go through withdraw when I have to file the music away on December 26th. Everyday I listen to it on the drive home from work. Call me crazy, but some evenings as I'm driving down GA-400 and stop for the toll (Yes... I have a 50 cent toll to and from work.), the Marta flies by at just the right time and it feels like I'm in a Christmas movie! Stupid, right!?!?! But I smile and turn up the music. I've never been a city girl...

With only 11 days left, there are still a few things left on my list of Christmas Must-Dos!
1. Wrap the 4 gifts I have so far. Thanks to my lovely sister, I don't have much Christmas shopping to do! Thank goodness!!!! :)
2. Watch all my favorite Christmas movies! Christmas Vacation was on ABC Family last night. I still need to watch Elf, The Polar Express, White Christmas (a family tradition), and The Grinch. If I wanted to work really hard I might try and find The Night They Saved Christmas! I can remember watching this movie at my Grandparent's house during their annual Christmas party when I was little. (Remember, Lo?)

3. See some Christmas lights! There are a lot of places to see them in ATL, but I just want to drive around some of the beautiful neighborhoods at night. I drove past a house last weekend with a TON of blow-up yard ornaments. Like they are trying to hit a world record or something! I am determined to go at night and take a picture. Dylan has to see it! I will try to have it by next week.
4. Make Christmas cookies!!! This is usually a tradition with my mom and sister, but seeing as my trip home will be so short this year I might have to tackle this one on my own.
5. Take Walter to see Santa Claus! Is that too much?? We'll see if I can make it happen.

I think that's all for now. Maybe I can get one more post in before the holiday! Until then... have yourself a merry little Christmas.


XOXO,
T
  

ATL Update

Well we've been here over a month and things are getting better! We had a fantastic Thanksgiving in Indiana, but it was nice to come home. I decorated the apartment before we left, so that I could immediately enjoy it when we returned. Call me crazy, but there is nothing better than a lit Christmas tree in your living room!

Walter hates Dylan's new toy.

Probably our last year with this little guy.

Walter finds the strangest napping spots.

I started my new job at Adcap Network Systems last week. Everyone is very nice and welcoming. I think I am going to enjoy working there, but I still have A LOT to learn. I started just in time for the holiday dinner at Stoney River Legendary Steaks next Sunday. I am really looking forward to next weekend because we have a Christmas party each night! I'll try to have a picture or two to share from the festivities.

Dylan is now the chef in our house because I usually don't get home very quickly. The mornings are easy, but the afternoon are always fun. Some days it take 30 minutes... others its about an hour or so. I'm not going crazy yet. :)

As always we took Walter to the dog park on Saturday. His days really aren't complete without some play time down the street. We've made a few friends thanks to the dog park though. Last night we walked down the street to go out with a couple we met there. We had great time and look forward to hanging out again soon.

That's pretty much it for now. Only 20 days until Christmas!!!

XOXO,
T