And Then There Were Three: December 2010

'Tis the Season

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

This is our first Christmas as a married couple, and our first compromise in tradition was the tree...real or fake? I have never had a fake tree, and Nicky has never had a real tree. We decided on artificial, because it makes the most sense for apartment living. We braved the crowds of shoppers on Black Friday to purchase our first Christmas tree! Here she is in all her 6.5 ft, pre-lit glory!

Nicky believes tree toppers should lean. I think it reminds him of his favorite Christmas movie - The Grinch

Beautiful collection of ornaments

A little fuzzy, but very exciting!

Our handmade stockings! (A wedding gift)

I love holiday place mats!

This season has been so much fun! It's exciting to start traditions with Nicky. Another thing we're trying to do this season is follow an Advent Calendar. I got the idea from my friend Jenny (who inspires me to do all things creative). In her words, the calendar is a way to celebrate Christmas by spending less, giving more, worshiping fully, and loving all. A few things on our calendar include reading the Christmas story from the Bible together, leaving a Christmas card and cookies on a few of our neighbors' doorsteps, watching a Christmas movie together, and calling a friend or relative that we haven't spoken to in a while. It's exciting to be intentional about celebrating Christ this Christmas. It sounds simple, but it's a concept that can get lost in the midst of chaos that people so often create during this time of year.

These are a few of my favorite things about Christmas:
1. Hot chocolate
2. Christmas movies (the television pretty much stays on Hallmark)
3. Christmas decor
4. Christmas musicals at local churches
5. Secret Santa in the office place
6. Wrapping presents
7. Baking
8. Time with family
9. The constant mention of Christ
10. CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

Mexican Food :: Check!

November meant another dinner with some of my favorite girls in the whole world! Unfortunately (and as usual) our sweet Jamie was unable to be there with us, but as the holidays approach, we know we'll get to see her soon! We celebrate Anna's and Jenny's birthdays in November, and our waiter did not dissappoint with a little celebration!

Surprise! Her boyfriend had flowers delivered!

The talented gentleman serenaded Jenny and Anna with an opera-like "Happy Birthday"...in Spanish.

Beautiful birthday girls!

We finished off the night with cake, ice cream, and a few rounds of a super fun game called "Bananagrams". I'm looking forward to December with ALL the lovely ladies!

Anna comes to Houma!

I get really excited when any of my friends or family mentions that they'll be coming to visit us in Houma! Obviously we miss Lafayette and being near everyone, but we are creating a life here, and we like for the ones we love to see our home. My dear friend Anna came to visit at the beginning of November. As soon as she got here on Sunday night, we went out for dinner. The next morning, I made waffles and coffee, and we chatted in our pajamas until noon! I showed her around Houma, then we dropped by Hobby Lobby for wreath materials! Anna runs a restaurant in Lafayette and the decor is red and gold. These wreaths will adorn her restaurant doors this Christmas!

She later added large poinsettas to the center of the gold satin ribbon. Gorgeous!

She eventually made 8 more for the windows!

Thank you for coming, Anna! Can't wait til' next time!

Renaissance Festival

My parents' 29th wedding anniversary was October 24th. As a way to celebrate, they invited Nicky and I to join them for a Saturday at the Renaissance Festival in Robert, LA. Here are a few photos from day...