our first married CHRISTmas!

Well this year marked our first Christmas being married. This meant new schedules, more family to visit, and new traditions.  I normally spend CHRISTmas eve spending the night at my parents house then waking up CHRISTMAS morning to open presents with them.  David is used to obviously spending the night at his parents house and doing CHRISTmas day with his family and the Armstrongs (cousins, aunts, uncles).  This year things were done a little differently.

We spent CHRISTmas eve with my parents. Did dinner, presents, and watched ELF.  It was such a wonderful time together. While we were doing presents, Kaylee got into Kiara's (my mom and dad's golden retriever's crate) and started destuffing her comforter. Dad also busted out the "beef jerky" aka VENISON and I didn't want any part in it. EW.  Everyone loved their gifts.

Christmas Eve was spent with David in our BIG comfy bed waiting for Santa to visit two newly weds the next morning:) We woke up, made some coffee, ate a small snack, then got ready to open our gifts. Before we opened presents we sat and prayed together and gave God glory for the birth of His son. It was such a beautiful thing to be in union in prayer on Christmas morning.  After we opened our gifts we took showers and got ready to head to his parents house.

For his parents we decided to try something new: BRUNCH. It was amazingly wonderful and a new tradition I def could get used to.  His dad and brother were hooked on putting together a puzzle which reminded me of my grandpa.  We used to always get him a new puzzle at Christmas as well.  Memories often attach themselves and stay around regardless of how much time is put between them.  After we ate Dennis read the Christmas story and David and STephen acted it out using the nativity scene.  I haven't laughted quite that hard in awhile. My cheeks were hurting.  We then opened gifts and enjoyed each other's company.  Brenda felt she was supposed to buy us each a toy.  I got a bead kit, and the boys got remote control hummers.  Needless to say the rest of the afternoon was spent with them playing with their cards (easily amused). 

After we left there we came home to let the dogs out and take a quick nap before heading out to my grandmother's house in FArmington for that side of the family.  WE did Secret Santa this year (our first time ever) and it was a HUGE success.

I truely enjoyed this Christmas with all it's new beginnings.  Boots our family cat passed away December 23rd so I had a good cry Christmas Eve as it just didn't feel right with my old bedroom (the room we had shared) being so empty and void of his prescence.  I also really missed by Nan Teague this Christmas.  I really wished she had been able to share my first married CHRISTmas with David and I. 

More pictures will come soon.  Hope everyone else had a blessed and Merrry Christmas.

Today we are going to Charlotte to have CHRISTmas with the Armstrongs!