Pre-Christmas Festivities! // 2014

Happy Christmas Eve!!!! :)

How is everyone's holiday season going?

We have been super busy! -even on the days and nights where 'there isn't anything'.... things always pop up. We spent the past weekend meeting with friends, picking up our new car(!), seeing my extended family, cleaning, and baking.

I had the best time with my family this year, we all had dinner and watched home movies from when we were kids. We laughed so much, and just hung out. It was made all the sweeter by the fact that my grandfather was the one who took the videos. He has since passed away, but it felt like he was there with us. :)

Here are some of our pre-Christmas happenings this year.

One Very Festive Day. . .

Tree Trimming: Family Style

Every year my dad goes on a week-long hunting trip to the Western part of the state, and us girls are left here. -that's ok with me.... ;) My sister Jess was out of town too, so KC and I picked up a pizza and went over to help Mom and OE set up and decorate their Christmas tree. It was pretty fun, I always like being able to spend more time with them! In these pictures OE is saying 'slug bug! red one! Santa!' - and then she dissolved into giggles.. :)

Movie Date:

KC took me to see 'It's a Wonderful Life' at the beginning of the month at Liberty Hall. We have been trying to go see more old movies, especially in the theaters. Can you believe I hadn't seen this one?! It was so romantic and sweet. It was even better that as we walked out of the theater the lights were lit in the trees! - so pretty!

Tree Trimming: Apartment Style

After tree trimming with my family and our vintage movie date, we headed home to hang with Duchess and make our place more festive. We set up our tiny tree on the table by the door, strung up some lights, put on silly hats, and had hot chocolate. Then we watched The Holiday.... soooo good right?!?!??! (swooon... Jude Law... ) ;)

A few nights later we made our 'Hotschnaapslate' recipe and cuddled up on the couch and watched Love Actually. Another romantic Christmas classic. I just love it. And I can't get over the fact that the little boy is now in GOT.... quite the swap. :) And that Bilbo Baggins is also a porn star... oh gosh it's just too funny.

All of us 'kids' made it to Olivia's winter concert as well. It was brilliant. They had a rap song, and a reggae style one.

I got videos... oh boy! She looked so cute, and I think she felt pretty special that we all made it for her show. :)

Last Friday we got to go to Celtic Woman's Christmas Symphony Concert again. They have been coming to KS which has been such a treat. Though I wish they would come up closer to where we live. It seems like everytime we've driven down to Wichita/Mulvane to see them the crowds have been so much smaller. Plus the casino has the strangest policies, the people working are never very friendly either.... I really dislike this venue. Oh well. The concert was lovely. So beautiful, Lisa Lambe was back from having her baby. It was a fun date night to get into the spirit. :)

The last few days we have finished up our wrapping, baked a cranberry buckle... YUM(!), and met with more friends. We baked two pumpkin pies last night, and got the Peanut Butter Balls started... Tonight we will go to my family's house and have our Christmas Dinner, exchange gifts, bake these SPRITZ cookies, and look at old pictures. :) I'm excited!

By far my favorite picture.... ? - This one. So cute... :)

Tomorrow we will start the morning with KC's immediate family, then go to see my family again, and end the day in Kansas City with his extended family.

A busy week, but I think it will be a great one! - and soon it will be our anniversary! Holy cow! :)

What are you guys up to?

What festive activities do you like to do up until Christmas? What are your traditions?

I hope that you all have the happiest of holidays!

XOXO,

Alexandra