day to take a deeep breath.

{My day in Lahaina...}

wow. my work is like a constant year round episode of "The Hills". drama drama Drama!! seriously draining...but since we're trying to move in 5 months almost exactly - It doesn't make sense for another transition of work. Today was my first day off in a while...soo grateful for that. I slept in with my mr. Walked on the pier after dropping him off at work and got some shave ice. I got a gift for myself with a gift card Chris got me. I hunted at Salvation Army and found 4 fantastic new reads. I came home with a chai and just have been bumming around and relaxing all afternoon. Now I feel like a nap before dishes dinner and picking up Chris!! It's been a great day off the job. Can't wait for tomorrow - Chris and I are going shopping - using our christmas gift cards and money, Thanks mom, dad, mom, dad evans, grandmas and grandpas!!! We might catch a movie and might meet with aaron stevens and his girl friend. We mainly aren't planning anything. It's going to be a relaxing, fun day!!! I can't wait. Just him and I. All day long. A break, oh too short - but a break from nonsense none the less.

The Kitties on Christmas :)

they had fun too :) Savoring the paper and boxes because soon their will be no tree to sleep under, presents to un-wrap, boxes to hide in or ornaments to break...hah. They hope your Christmas was Merry! 

A few of my favorite things....

 camera of any kind will always be my favorite gift :) 

belle :)  

this was a tear jerker. I thought I was going to have to buy this myslef (a book of my grandmothers art, sketches, photos of her working etc. ) but knew that i couldn't afford it for a while.. and then who knows if it's still available? Anyway...It's a PRECIOUS book and my mother and FAther got it for us!! I am soo lucky to have this - I love bragging about my family, i get it from my dad. But I am proud of all my family members, and My grandmother (still with us) is amazing. She has been an illustrator for a few children's books, been in MANY bellingham craft shows, was in many clubs, has her art matted and framed taking over almost all of our homes we're all proud to say! She is an inspiration. I love her dearly and am soo glad we got this for christmas. 

 My favorite page in the book, the four aunts with their eldest. Mom is {Elizabeth with peter, the second on the right, top row.} Precious. 

 31bits.com - check it out. PLEASE. I love this necklace. And the money goes to Women in Uganda. Learn of them, what they do, why they do it - and support them when you're buying birthday or general gifts!! 

 This is Bernard. I love him!! Thanks Hon! 

My husband bought me diamond earrings - SOO sweet. I love them! 

Christ Our Savior Is Born! Merry Christmas!!

Tradition number......
1. Christmas Eve, place the mattress under the tree in the living room and watch a christmas movie before going to bed. We watched "The Holiday" (but couldn't finish because we were soo tired!)

2. Fill the Stockings making sure no-one is looking and place them back on the hooks before shut eye.

3. Wake up Christmas Morning under the christmas tree!!! We started opening our stockings! Soo many fun goodies!

4. I made Blueberry Buckel - a traditional treat my mom makes every christmas. (my taste of home..) And we had coffee to go with! Yum! (It turned out PERFECT for it being my first time!!

5. Open gifts taking turns one at a time! Switching between Adelstein Parents, Evans Parents and eachother's gifts.

6. For a Linner - Since Chris had to work at three...I made Cornish Hens, cranberry jelly, corn on the cob, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, rolls (didn't make these...yet to learn.) and sparkling Apple Cider. Sooo good.

7. Play. With all your toys. All night long. haha. - Although Chris had to work 3-10 and I went to our Maui Family's home to join them for the evening. But First I skyped with my Family minus Caleb and Ava!! We just visited and made food. It was fun, but I really missed being with my Mr. So I  went down at 8:30 and hung with him for the remainder of the evening. :) Then we came home and got to play!!!

 {mom sent this gift, wrapped in fabric, cutest ever!}

 {Chris' favorite gift...he has NO clue!!!}

 {Still no clue...doesn't know what this blue box is...}

 {Tiffany's money clip? Are you serious?!!!}

 {Ah, Love that He LOVES it and it's his favorite gift :) }

 {My Favorite Gift! Polaroid Camera with rectangular film that gets a great vintage/modern look!!!! Our tree, Patrick (I got too close), and the Booklands (Maui Family!)}

 {Chris and his baby Patrick}

{Me and my baby Tigger} 

a year for ornaments.......!!!!

 {To Chris from Me }

{To me from in-laws! LOVEIT!} 

{To me from dear friend Ileta, DARLING!} 

{To me from Chris! :)} 

{To Chris from Me}  

{To Chris From Mom and DAd}  

{ To me from Chris}  

{ To me from Mom and Dad. }

 {Didn't have the grapes, but It was still pretty good! }

{Yum!!}

{Handsome hubby joining me for Christmas morning, how lucky am I!}
This was a GREAT day. I loved everything about it - except my hours without Chris, but It was a Blessed Christmas. I am soo grateful and thankful for all we have, for the people in my life, for the food we were able to eat, for the roof over our heads and for Baby Jesus who is the most amazing of all.  

Holiday Fun!

This year when I visited home I didn't bother with Christmas Gifts....therefore we got to Ship them home! Super fun, I thought - soo different for us and rather exciting! Tigger SOO wanted to go see Grandma Elizabeth and Grandpa Doug :) Unfortunately Mama said no. hah. How cute is this?!

Thankful for friends!!! Two dear people to me in Maui have near-holiday birthdays! So I had the privilege of making them a plate of home-made Chocolate Cupcakes and bringing them little somethings. I soo enjoyed doing this, these people, Ileta and Stacy, are such blessings in my life.  

{Me and Ileta}

{Stacy and I}

 The Kitties were SOO excited for the opening of boxes and the balls of ripped wrapping paper! 

Chris and I made Sugar Cookies!!! YUM! This is a holiday tradition for me...I LOVE these cookies. So I made them in the morning and after coming home from work we, together, frosted the gingerbread men, trees and cupcakes!! SOO fun. Loved every minute of it!!! Now we have cookies in our cookie jar! 

 {Chris' Santa :) }

{My Tree :) }

Our Christmas Tree's version of the "Cranberry and Popcorn String."

Christmas Tree Flag Banner :) 

(for you kristine!!)

So one day I saw this darling flag banner on a blog I follow. Growing up every Christmas Season my family and I would needle strands of Cranberry and Popcorn to wrap all around the tree. I learned to hate this tradition (doing it myslef anyhow...) because I was constantly pricking my finger with the needle, OUCH! hah. So I saw this simple, country style craft and had to make it my own. I got hemp as the string, and three types of Christmassy fabric to make something to wrap around our tree, that we can re-use every year without having to make a new one. Super fun! I procrastinated though and wasn't able to do it until Christmas Eve. It was soo peaceful. I had just gotten a pedicure. I was watching Hallmarks "12 Men of Christmas" (DARLING!). I was taking my time and SOO not rushed. I think it turned out darling. Kinda looks like a child did it, but I don't care. It was cheap, fun, festive and make's the tree suuuper cute. :)