And a very merry Christmas to you, too!

Everyone has been doing such a great job of wishing their readers a Merry Christmas, and here I am finally getting around to it on the 29th of December!

Well, all I can say is that I was having too much fun with my family and fiance to be spending time on my computer. I think it's healthy to take a little "tech vacation" anyway, especially when I spend so much time on a computer at work every day and during the semester for school.

It has been a beautiful holiday season for me. Of course, it was kicked off with getting our tree and decorating our apartment. Then James proposed to me.

The past two weeks have been all about family for us. We spent the weekend before Christmas with James' family. Of course, the only pictures I have from that weekend are of us and the dogs...

 Me and Marley

James and Trooper

Christmas weekend was spent with my family. Here are some of my favorite shots...we be a little crazy, I'll admit it!

 Showing off our snowman child.

 My baby brother--enough said.

 James' Santa suit was a hit with my siblings!

 We tried to get Luna to sit still in the Santa beard--this is the best we could do.

 The traditional Christmas Eve spread of finger foods.

 Mom's new Grandma "uniform".

 James' gag-gift for Kaitlin, which she liked more than we expected her to!

 Mom's classy decor--she never ceases to impress me!

 Showing off the best present my Santa has ever given me:)

 More cookies than I knew what do do with! Thanks to my cousin, Mikey:)

A beautiful tree, a beautiful holiday!

God bless you this Christmas season and in the new year!!!

Holiday Traditions: Part 1

For the next few days, I've decided to have a few guests here sharing their holiday traditions.

I'm going to kick us off with one of my favorite holiday traditions that my family always does on Christmas Eve.

I don't know when it started or whose idea it was (I should ask about that this year!), but for as long as I can remember, my mom would make a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve. After dinner, which always consisted of finger foods that we ate in the living room in front of the Christmas tree, Mom would bring out a cake with a candle on it and we'd sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.

 It's a simple tradition, really, but it always meant so much to me to be reminded that this night was not just about the family we'd see and the presents we'd receive the next day. No, this night had a greater meaning and a more special purpose.

So, after the fun of singing carols in front of the Christmas tree and hanging our stockings in anticipation of Saint Nicholas' visit, my parents took the time to remind us of the Baby who we were celebrating and to, like the wise men from the East, pay Him homage with our own gift of a candle and a song.

More Decor!

Our Christmas decorating is pretty much complete. In a small apartment, I didn't want to go overboard, but we have a nice selection of holiday decor in just about every room. Here are a few pictures of what's around our house this season:

 Santa has arrived! Cuddles just loves wearing her Santa hat--can't you tell!?

 Of course, another picture of the tree--this time with presents underneath.

 Votive holders I received from my roommate last year:)

 James' mom always has festive napkins out for every season--that inspired me to do the same here at our house!

 A wreath I bought last year hangs over our dining room table.

 This was James' early Christmas present so he could have it out for the entire season. 

 My Nativity set--I found it an a garage sale a few years ago--it is from Honduras and made out of terracotta.

 When I was little, we always waited until Christmas Eve to put Jesus in the manger. As you can see, this manger also awaits the birth of Christ!

 Another early Christmas present for James--old-fashioned Santa for his movie room. And jingle bells hanging from his DVD shelf.

When James and I first started dating over two years ago, we watched Rudolph the first weekend he came to visit me. Last year I got these guys for Christmas:)

Unfortunately, I am home sick today. I've been fighting a cold since last weekend and I don't want to be sick for my upcoming trip to NYC. So, I'm eating soup and drinking o.j. and staying in my pajamas for a little while longer...

Sunday Thanks: Weekends Like This

This weekend was reserved for all things festive! We kicked it off right by making popcorn and cranberry garlands for our tree.

 James is our official popcorn popper!

 Lots of garland!

 Cuddles helped too!

Then, on Saturday, we picked out our very first tree!

 This is it!

 What a man!

 Waiting for a tree stand--the one we originally bought was too small.

The Holy Family ornaments (Joseph got a little cut off..whoops!)

 Pretty garland and ornaments.

 Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...

Nothing compares to spending weekends like this with the man I love!

Christmas Cuddles

 I guess the Christmas spirit in our house is rubbing off on all of it's inhabitants.

Who loves Christmas?

We do! James and I have gotten the Christmas bug, and we are all about decorating!

We had decided a while ago to get our REAL tree this Saturday, which was traditionally the weekend that my family went to cut down a tree when I was growing up. But, James also has a fake Christmas tree that he had set up in his apartment the past few years. We hadn't decided whether we would set it up this year, but the decision was apparently made without me because I came home yesterday and there it was, set up in the corner of our dining room!

James got all new green, red and gold bulbs specifically for this tree so that all of our other random assortment of ornaments can go on our big tree. I decided that it needed lights, so I went out today to get a few strings of white lights. I added them this afternoon, and I think it turned out quite nice! I am currently sitting at our dining room table basking in the glow that this lovely little tree provides.

While out, I also picked up a few other items to finish off some decorations for the house. I couldn't resist putting some of them together today when I got home from class.

 This trio is on our dining room sideboard (which is really just an old dresser). I love the idea of mixing silver and gold with the traditional colors of Christmas.

 This centerpiece is on our dining room table. Props to my mom for figuring out a creative way to use these ceramic globes from Christmas Tree Shops. This entire thing cost me about $8!

Another symbol of the season--candy canes! I love seeing what I can put in my collection of glass jars.

On Saturday, we will finish up all of our decorating, which will mostly consist of putting up and decorating our tree, as well as finding a place for my Nativity set. More pictures to come, but in the meantime, I hope this puts you in the holiday spirit!

CHRISTmas

I don't know why, but for some reason I am especially excited about the holidays this year. It might be because we are getting a real tree this year and James and I will be decorating our first home together for Christmas. Or, it could be because of my new delicious nephew who is celebrating his first Christmas this year. Or maybe it's because I feel like I have lots of time to enjoy the holiday and soak it in properly. It could also be all of the Christmas movies James has been playing for the past two weeks, or the great goodies that I've been wrapping up for my family and friends.

I don't know what it is, but I am certainly looking forward to the next five weeks of celebration and time with friends and family.

All of that being said, however, I want to take the time to remind everyone of the reason for the season. A lot of the films we've been watching revolve around Santa Clause, and while I'm a fan of Saint Nicholas, Christmas is not his holiday.

Source: itswrittenonthewalls.blogspot.com via It's Written on the Wall on Pinterest

Christmas has, unfortunately, become a secular holiday, and I have lots of friends, colleagues and even family who see it only as an opportunity to get together and exchange gifts. That's a great part of Christmas, but I urge you to remember why we first celebrated this season--the season of preparation for Jesus' birth! As you enjoy your family, sweets, presents, and lights on the tree, remember to keep CHRIST in Christmas.

Source: decorchick.com via Robin on Pinterest

Since I'm off today...

...I'm going to write an extra post! Actually, I'm not going to write much at all, just share a few of my favorite holiday pictures.

 My parents' beautiful tree

 A lovely Christmas Eve fire

 Mom's beautiful silver and gold decorations in the dining room

 Christmas Eve dinner--filet mignon, roasted veggies, mushrooms, tasty horseradish sauce, and lots of wine!

 Ready to head to Mass on Christmas morning

 All 10 of us at church on Christmas morning!

 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...filled by Mom with goodies to share!

 The "empty nest" ornament to celebrate Mom and Dad's freedom! :)

 All the kiddos after opening presents

Pat and Kelly playing Monopoly by the light of the fire when we lost power