Shout out to December birthdays. (even though it's January)

I have a special place in my heart for all those with December birthdays. I don't care what anyone says, it's just NOT fair to have to share your birthday with the GREATEST holiday of the YEAR.  My whole life I've heard "Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas" followed by the giving of one gift. I know this sounds completely selfish but all I've ever wanted is the acknowledgement of my birthday apart from Christmas. It's not about the size or amount spent on the gift, just that the giver understands that I, too, have a birthday. My husband learned this the hard way.  In preparation for our first holiday as a married couple, he asked me if I wanted a present on my birthday.  I responded by asking him if he wanted a present on his birthday. He said, "well yea but my birthday is in February."  Since then, he has made much progress in making my birthdays wonderful! I'm not afraid to be the one to verbalize this. The fact is, if you have a loved one who has a December birthday, make it special. Make it seperate. Make it memoriable.  Don't let it be lost in all the hustle and bustle of the season.
So, that was my introduction to the next part of this post. My one and only sibling, sister Ashley (also the one I refer to as fabulous sister. Because she is just that. Fabulous) also has a December birthday. Not only does she share her birthday with the Christmas season, but it's also on another holiday with high expectations, none other than New Year's Eve.  This birthday has the potential to be EXCITING. I mean everyone is partying on your birthday anyway...not so fast.  Until recently, New Year's has been overrated in my experience.  There are always these expectations of a great time, perfect kiss, staying up until weel hours of the night/morning, the best way to end one year and start the next, Right? In college, I learned to get over those expectations real fast! It wasn't until recently that it came to me.  Why do I feel like New Year's has to be this crazy fun time. That's not me! Now, we just get together with friends, eat great food, have a few drinks, and many times we don't even end up staying up until 12!! I can't believe I'm saying this. I'm only 25 and I sound about 40!!!! not that there's anything wrong with 40. I look forward to it. one day :)

All this to say, a very special (and unfortunately late) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful older, wiser, TALLER sister! (you know you got the GREAT legs)
 

What? It's 2011?

WOW, have I been hibernating all winter? Quite the opposite. I feel like I woke up and it was January. The holidays are a whirlwind to us and we don't even have children yet! Oh my. Let's recap- since my last update we have had more birthdays, Christmas parties, vacation, hurt dog, New Year's, missing dog, found dog(all the same dog), new vehicle, oh and let's fit work into that equation also.  I celebrated my 25th birthday on the 19th. That weekend was the prefect way to celebrate. On Friday night we had our annual get together with our friends from home. This year we decided to make it TACKY. Who knew we had this in us??

Wait, who am I kidding??

Saturday, my Dad took me and Elliott to breakfast at our favorite breakfast place, LaLou (formerly Another Broken Egg) and since it was my "birthday weekend" I was able to convince Elliott to do some Christmas shopping and make Christmas cookies!! That night, I had my girls' Christmas Party with friends from college AND I made it out until MIDNIGHT (which was officially my bday) Sunday, I have decided, is officially the best day to have a birthday. What better way to celebrate another year of life than to worship the One who GAVE His life so that I may LIVE! (and I LOVE Christmas hymns). I woke up to leftover crab cakes benedict which was still wonderful the second time around. We went to church, had brunch at The Chimes, and relaxed. Another plus of the birthday is that I was able to get Elliott to watch my favorite holiday movie, Love Actually.

On Wednesday, fabulous sister, Ashley and family came to stay with us for the first time! We were so excited to have them, especially adorable niece Mary Stewart. 

(apologies for the picture, I am so upset with myself for not taking pics of her during Christmas)

We had a wonderful time hanging out with sister, Matthew, and niece and Elliott got lots of practice for future fatherhood as he rocked Mary Stewart to bed every night and for naps!

Christmas Eve was spent with sister and family and ended with one of my favorite Christmas traditions, the Christmas Eve service at church.  Afterwards, we spent the night at Elliott's parents house and always look forward to waking up on Christmas morning with his siblings and spouses/fiance!

Christmas Cards are a favorite of mine! I love sending them and I love getting them! They make me smile and I keep them up well into the new year! This year, since we had an addition to the family (Ruger, the new dog who is also the hurt dog, missing dog, and found dog I was referring to earlier) I thought we needed a picture of the four of us. Well, that didn't quite work out. Not only is it hard coordinating two very energetic dogs, but also having someone come take the picture, not to mention the rainy weather and the fact that it gets dark at 4:30. So, needless to say, we weren't able to get a family photo so we used this one from our dear friends Brian and Rachel's wedding in August.

...and I just have to add a few of the dogs in my vain attempt to have the perfect Christmas Card this year...HA

Does it look like we drugged them??

Ruger was NOT a fan of the Reindeer ears!

and my favorite...they LOVE each other :)

So, here's to a PEACEFUL and Happy New Year!