Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas 2010

Christmas is over?!  How could time fly so fast?  I realize this will be a lame post since my camera was dead for 99% of the holiday but I will try and describe everything in great detail (kidding).  Most of these pictures aren't very clear because I took them with my iPhone.   First of all...an update.  We went to John's work party at Castle Manner a while back and I didn't get around to posting the one picture I took.  It was a fun time though I was bummed that I didn't win the Xbox 360 with Kinect.  (Especially since I had purchased one already for John for Christmas and could have sent it back)  
John got off of work early on Thursday before Christmas which was AWESOME!  I had fun while he was working with my mom making Christmas gifts for her neighbors.  I got some cute sparkly tissue paper to wrap up some cookie dough.  Super easy and turned out darling!

I also decided John and I needed first-year-of-marriage stockings and since I couldn't find ANY cute fabric in Logan, I resorted to buying simple pre-made stockings and sewing our names on.  I chose this method because my parents have stockings from their first year of marriage that my great grandma made them...with their names in sequins. I also bought beads to sew a big snowflake on each one but ended up not having time.  Guess I'll save that for next year!  I had fun listening to my niece Mia read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to my parents on the kitchen floor while I worked.

 
We started out Christmas Eve by singing at the rest homes.  It is a family tradition and I loved sharing it with John.  He was a good sport and sang a couple of duets with me.  We then tried to find a restaurant for breakfast without an hour long wait.  We ended up at Village Inn. After a short nap at our place we headed out for grocery shopping with my dad.  Another tradition in the Ballam family.  All the kids go to the store and pick out their favorite meal (we make them all for a huge feast that night) while my mom stays home and cleans.  For some reason she loves this tradition.  Haha.  Anyway, John and I went all over town looking for Guarana, a traditional Brazilian soda that Nick requested we buy.  We couldn't find it anywhere.  Luckily John made his famous eggnog which was a delicious replacement.  We had fun opening presents and doing a little concert.  Yet another tradition we do for my mom each year.  John even played the piano and sang at the same time.  So impressive!  We slept on the couch in the basement of my parents house that night with my niece, nephew, sister and brother in law.  The others chickened out this year and slept in beds.  (John and I were both sore in the morning and wishing we'd followed suit)  Christmas morning was full of aebelskivers, candy, presents and sleepiness!  We tend to get up a few hours earlier when the kids stay over, though I'm not complaining.  It was perfect. We headed to my grandma Ballam's for our annual House-A-Fire battle.  John and I didn't do too great and only ended up with one gift card each.  Better practice up for next year!  We rounded out the night watching Tron at our apartment with some of my siblings before heading for our annual late night Christmas Beto's trip.  We are full of traditions at our house! 




The partying continued through today.  John and I used our one night's stay at the Marriott and took advantage of their hot tub.  We also had a nice dinner at Elements before.  To top off a romantic evening we went back to our room and watched Tommy Boy.  So classy.  So fun!  Though we wanted to hit up the continental breakfast we overslept.  Guess we'll have to return someday to check it out.  (I did take 4 suckers from a bowl at the front desk to make up for it)

Christmas was different but wonderful this year.  John is my best gift.  I am so lucky to have such a perfect person as my husband.  He makes me happy every day.  I couldn't ask for more!  (Though the new clothes and sleigh bed were nice too ;))

Monday, December 6, 2010

Where Are You Christmas?

I have officially been doing homework for 6 hours tonight and decided it is time for a break!  I have been thinking a lot about Christmas this year and how things have changed so much for me since last year.  It seems like it was JUST Christmas and I was performing with Pickleville Playhouse.  This year I am far too busy to even sing a note!  As far as John and I go, last year at this time he was hoping I'd finally agree to marry him.  I was still a little freaked out at the idea, having other boys on my mind, but definitely loved him a lot.  I never would have imagined that I would be married in less than a year!  I am so thankful that John was patient with me last year so that I could have him to myself this year :)

I feel a little bit like Cindy Lou Who as I contemplate how Christmas is different when you are "grown up".  This year since I am now married will be much different.  Though we will be spending the holiday with my family, the present giving situation will be much different.  My parents are no longer giving me gifts to unwrap but instead giving me a check.  This will be a huge blessing to me since John and I just moved into a much nicer apartment and the cost reflects the niceness.  Isn't it funny that I am excited to pay rent for my Christmas present?  My gift giving will also be a little different due to lack of funds.  It is amazing how expensive it is to be married!  Hopefully I can stay within budget but still find great presents for my siblings.

The hardest part is not buying everything that I want to give to John.  He has been the greatest blessing to me and I want to give him the best Christmas possible.  However, since I am not able to work this semester I have to use the money that he is earning to buy his presents.  Seems a little weird to me.  Hopefully he will love what I got him and not be too mad at what I spent ;)  John is seriously the best. I love him more every day and feel so blessed to have him in my life.

Anyway, that is my two cents about a grown up Christmas.  I am excited that I have nieces and nephews to share it with.  Christmas is so fun with the little tykes!  :)  John and I were supposed to get some Christmas pictures taken but have been too busy so I will have to post an old pic to go with this post!  This is us in 2006 before the LHS Christmas dance.  :)