Tis The Season

I am so behind in blogging. I still need to blog our Yellowstone Trip and our Ouray, CO trip that happened back in September (oh wait, and Lake Powell!) 

But Christmas is upon us. And I happen to love Christmas so it's taking priority.

I have been waiting for this Christmas since C was 6 months old. 

While sitting in my bed nursing her during the Christmas season I remember thinking, "I don't mean to wish time away but the Christmas they are 4 and 2 is going to be the most perfect Christmas ever." 

And I have been preparing for this Christmas since September because I have been so excited.

I love the Christmas season, so much that I actually never want Christmas day to come because it means it's over and I have to wait another 11 months for the season to begin again.

Time is my worst enemy, and I have been trying to make the most out of every minute with this small family of mine. 

The dogs as you can see are Christmas-ified. I used fabric from the nightgowns I made the girls, so they are all matchy matchy. 

Our Chrismtas tree was hunted and found. 

There is a cut your own Christmas tree farm near our home, and we have done it 3 years in a row, because I have this picture perfect Christmas tradition vision of us going and cutting down our own tree.

But want to know reality?

The farms trees are terrible.

So we went elsewhere this year, and I am so glad. 

The tree smells amazing. It's soft and didn't cut my hands raw while putting on the lights and ornaments.

It's still drinking a ton of water a day.

Did I mention it still smells? 

So glad we made the switch and found the perfect Christmas tree.

 Also Brad and a friend built me a proper mantle for my fireplace.

 I'm in love. The modern fireplace limited the design because I still wanted it to match but still be homey. I felt this was a good compromise. (Pinterest success right there).

Last year, after it had past, I learned of a German Christmas Market. 

I was bummed I missed it but was determined to check in out this year.

And I am so glad I did.

Seriously, so so charming.

It's called the Christkindlmarkt.  

I will go again. (and again)
My highlight was we ran in Gail Halvorsen, a.k.a The Candy Bomber 
He was part of the parade during the evenings and said a few words.
I just finished reading The Candy Bomber so to get to shake his hand and be in his presence (as cheesy as the sounds) was an honor. His heart and soul are golden.

 

 

 The girls met Father Christmas. 

This fall I took a sewing class. 

I am so glad I did.

I made the girls nightgowns.

And because I went through the hassle of making them I felt I needed to have professional photos taken.

There is a photo studio near us that does Santa Photos, but they are pure genius in that they have a parent dress up as Santa so the kids don't freak out.

Here is a behind the scenes.  

 

They crop out your head so it's just Santa's body.

Except this year I got in full blown Santa gear (it was so hot)

But so worth it.

 Here is the finished product:

 

There were reindeer outside after we were finished the photos. As C exclaimed "Oh reindeer, I like reindeer!" 

 

Then with a couple of friends in our neighborhood we went to the assisted living center near us and our kids sang Christmas songs to the residents. 

They were pretty darn cute. 

Can time freeze?

Can it be Christmas forever? 

The Wedding

 It was the wedding of the decade. 

Our best friends got married.

Also known as Brad's brother.

It was an incredible, beautiful day full of sunshine and plenty of smiles. 

It was a bit special for us, because we were all in the wedding party. 

 All the photos were beautiful and I wanted to document it all because Carrie did such a superb job on the wedding. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I ever attended, let alone been apart of. 

I was honored we were all asked to be a part of it. 

So there are a ton of pictures because I just couldn't decide.

 

 We started the day at the temple, where they were married forever. 

 Here is the stunning bride. Her friend described her as "Wedding Barbie", I mean just look at her. 

 

This is my favorite picture of the happy couple.

 This picture was a request of a nephew who couldn't be an attendance, it's pretty darn cute. 

 

The family. 

 The congratulatory hugs. 

She "lubs" her uncle Tris. 

On a side note we were discussing how sad it will be when she finally says his name correctly. Another side note, Little C can say his name better than her big sis. 

 Aubrey and her new sister.

 We are finally sisters!

 Here Carrie said to Brad, "I'm your sister now Brad you're stuck with me".

I don't think he minds.

 My darling nieces.

 

I like this one of Chris and his mom.

 Aubrey got some cute pictures of the girls, who were flower girls.

 Bridesmaid pictures.

And the wedding party... it was huge.

 

The groomsmen.

 Flower girls pictures.

 The gang.

 And we actually got some family photos ourselves. It's rare we get family photos,

it's especially rare that we are this cleaned up.

 

My extremely talented sister-in-law Janna.  

 We danced the night away.

 The reception was beautiful. It was held at a vineyard. 

 They hired our neighbor kids to run the soda bar.

 We ate our hearts out of gourmet waffles.

 

There was even a craft table for the little ones.

Pure genius. 

Carrie thought of everything.

 

Dancing with her new auntie.

 Look who caught the bouquet.

 Just look at her determination, she deserved it. 

She will never forget this moment.

 

Then they walked away in a sea of sparklers.

I was a little worried her hair might catch on fire.

But it was a successful walk. 

 And drove away on the motorcycle.

Perfect day.  

And then the next day I took a 3 hour long nap.

Next up... rehearsal dinner.