Sweet December

12.30.2012

Whelp, I feel like I say this every month, but December literally just passed by in a blur of Christmas carols, Starbucks hot-chocolates, last-minute present-wrapping, attempts at teaching despite upcoming holiday-induced craziness, and fun times with friends and family.

I look back at my last post, and try not to sweat the fact that it's been over a month since I've blogged. I've got my reasons. There was the stress of wrapping up my grad-school assignments for the semester in early December, followed by the devastation at Sandy Hook Elementary, in which I couldn't and still just don't have to words to speak or write of. There was the week leading up to the holiday break, in which I literally had a Christmas party 4 of the 5 weeknights. And, then it was time to pack up for the holidays!

 But, that doesn't mean I want a whole month to go undocumented. Especially a month filled with...

1. Awkward Self-Timer Christmas Card Photo-Taking

Yes, we totally took our camera & tripod into the woods off of a trail in our neighborhood, sat on a towel, and self-timed this fabulous holiday photo! Next year, I vow to get a professional!
2. Chemo-Completion Celebration for my dear friend and former co-worker, Carol!


3. Wedding of one of my oldest child-hood friends, Jannell, and her sweet guy, Brian, who went to high school with us!





4. Tacky Christmas Sweater Parties

Please note the scarf Kyle is wearing...recognize it from above Xmas-card photo? Yes, I married that guy!

5. Early Present Exchanges



6. NC State Basketball Game


7. Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides


Kyle's parents & us...missing Ryan

8. Bowling

9. Christmas Pageant at My Grandparents' Retirement Home!

Starring us as Mary & Joseph... proof of how much I love my grandmother that I agreed to this!
10. Christmas Eve Dinner w/ both our families

Love Kyle's family's tradition of everyone popping their "popper" and wearing the crown inside!
11. Christmas Morning Excitement

12. A White Day-After Christmas in Virginia


13. Game Nights w/ the Cousins

14. Birthday Celebrations

15. Play-Time & Snuggles w/ This Cutie!

Other highlights include...

 A 5-hour drive on Christmas Day to Virginia with my parents, grandparents, Kyle, and me all piled into the car!

Our annual Gecko Girls Christmas Party, complete w/ Reindeer Chow & Holiday Cheer!

Polar Express Day w/ my kiddos on the last day of school before break!

Seeing Les Miserables with Clan McLeod...so amazing!

Port City Java Date w/ my friend, Becca

And, lots of other good quality time with Kyle's and my family!

Fa, la, la, la, la!
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