'Tis the Season

Brigham and I are officially grown-ups! We survived our first Christmas on our own and EVEN hosted Brigham's sister, Savanna. Ohio was snowy, cold and wonderful for everything Christmas. 

Decorating the tree our awesome neighbor gave to us. She just had me come over and pick whatever tree I wanted from her fully stocked "North Pole" basement. I made the snowman at a Relief Society shin-dig this year, and the Stimpsons gave us a Hobby Lobby gift card that we used to pick up some more Christmas decor. We have generous friends!

I wanted to sew a tree skirt, but then I found this one for cheap and its way super cuter than my sewing skills could create. I'll just tell my children I made this. 

This Christmas was a reality check for vacation time, too. I had no idea that real working people don't get a month off for Christmas break. Ughh. Having professor parents is so misleading!

Legit Santa. He's in our ward, so we got out of the $16.99 photo purchase and took a quick iphone snapper.  

Sorry, I just love him. He is SUCH a pansy in the snow. We have been calling him Princess bc he is THAT ridiculous about stepping outside. 

This is just a silent victory pic. Last pecan pie in the store. Jubilant cheers. I'll tell my kids I made this, too. Also, side note, I have been LIVING in this scarf I got from Chinatown. Best purchase to date this month.

My super cute snowmen. 

Gingerbread men... and a molar of course. ACTUALLY homemade. 

Southern breakfast for dinner-- grits and all! Im horrible at making the biscuits-- Aunika come live with me so I can have them at my disposal. 

We had to work Christmas Eve (raaa-uuude), so we made the most of it by bringing our holiday cheer. I think we deserve to win the Cheermeister award. Props to Savanna for the bow idea :)

As Brigham read the story of Christ's birth, Gov enjoyed the Eggnog tradition. 

Note my cute PJs from Savanna and figurine from Cort. 

Peaches n Cream French toast yuum

Skyping with our fams

Savanna got snow-delayed from driving back to DC and got to enjoy Tom's Ice Cream-- Zanesville's little diner. 

She also helped update our snowman. 

aaand experience the roller-skating rink. 

My attempts to make Gov actually go outside. Epic Fail. Plus he hates me for doing this to him. 

Overall, it was a great Christmas. We missed our families, but I can get used to this grown-up thing. My family didn't even include me in their Christmas card!

 Mommy, wow! I'm a BIG KID NOW!

Merriest of Christmas from Brig, Ashe, and Gov