Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013! It was a good one! Aside from not having our own space (which admittedly, I missed decorating, baking and hosting in … although I know we'll make up for it next year :) we enjoyed two days of Christmasy goodness with both sides of our family. 

On Christmas Eve, in keeping with tradition, we met up with my family for a big turkey dinner, lots of visiting and our usual present exchange. We laughed until we cried. Its times like these which remind me I am so blessed to have a family I love this much. And just as important, I'm blessed to have a family I like so very much. As in, if we weren't family, I'm certain we'd be great friends just the same ♡

On Christmas Day we made our way over to Ryan's parent's home. It was a beautiful Christmas day! We enjoyed a delicious meal with the family, afternoon sleigh rides, and a cozy gift exchange by the fire. I wish I had more pictures of the meal and everyone in attendance but alas, it appears I have yet to master pictures inside with lowlight *_*.  My photography skills (or lack thereof ;) aside, it was a charming Christmas day. 

We feel so very fortunate to have both our families nearby. Holiday's like these always seem to highlight what a blessing that is! Hoping you enjoyed your Christmas holidays as well and that you were surrounded by friends and family too! 

Our Weekend

This past weekend was a whirlwind! Things started with a Saturday morning check in at our hotel downtown. We decided that since we had a Christmas party downtown (at the Paliser, so fancy … and shame on me I didn't get any pics of us all gussied up. super sad face), we would spend the night downtown and head to one of our family Christmas get togethers the next day straight from our hotel. And wouldn't you know it, that stay in our favourite hotel was exactly what the doctor ordered. We visited the hotel pool and hot tub, enjoyed lunch with friends, our Christmas party that evening and a scrumptious brunch the next morning. Sleep? There was plenty. And you better believe we watched movie in bed on Sunday morning for good measure. I must remember to never underestimate the power of a little getaway. Like a refresh button for the soul. 

On Sunday afternoon we had a Christmas get together for my dad's side of the family. Always so nice to catch up with family over the holidays! Regrettably, I didn't get pictures of everyone in attendance and lots of the pictures I did take didn't turn out (iPhone + bad lighting = no beuno). But that's ok. Many sweet memories were still made this weekend, even if my camera work proved futile :)

Art Market

Yesterday, like so many years before (since junior high!), Amy, baby Alexandra and I were able to sneak in a visit to Art Market yesterday to kick off the Christmas season! I've been going to this market for ages with my mom. Over the years my two closest friends have joined in on the fun. And while we missed sweet Nicole yesterday, Amy and I had a lovely time together soaking in the Christmas festivities. 

It's funny because in years past, we seemed to have purchased a whole lot more. But with the advent of  things like Etsy and Pinterest we've realized we're more likely to make things ourselves or shop unique artisans online versus purchasing many of our Christmas gifts at this kind of craft fair (read: we *may* have been some of the youngest in the bunch and felt like, contrary to our crafty peers, we weren't really in the market for more crocheted tea cozies ;) That said, we did manage to grab a couple yearly essentials; mainly Christmas candies and desserts. We're always in the market for those kinds of goodies at Christmas!

After chatting about it a bit yesterday, we both realized that going to this market each year isn't really about the stuff at all. Its more about savouring this time-honoured ritual of welcoming Christmas in cozy fashion with cherished friends and family. In doing so, we always leave with happy and festive hearts, excited for Christmas and grateful for such lovely friendship. I guess thats why, as the years go by, events like these seem more and more special to me ♡

Christmas & New Years

The Paliser Hotel where Ryan's Christmas party was ~ our Christmas tree, all trimmed up ~ a blurry, but memorable nonetheless, photo of us at the party ~ snippets of the  Christmas cheer sprinkled about our home ~ my favourite Christmas ribbon collection to date ~ crepes and nutella on Christmas morning ~ happy us on Christmas day! ~ snowy holiday landscapes near our home ~ en route to Kimberly, B.C. ~ the gorgeous drive home from Kimberly ~ a solo early morning flight to Kelowna to meet the rest of the family-in-law for a few days out in the Okanagan ~ Mission Hill's epic and ancient-seeming subterranean wine cellar ~ a couple crazy canadian girls in their flats in the middle of a snow storm in Kelowna (me on the left and Tara, with her cute little baby bump, on the right) :)

Christmas, as per usual, seemed to fly by this year. We were in Calgary for Christmas day itself, in Kimberly a few days after to celebrate New Year's with friends, and then I flew to Kelowna to wrap up the holidays celebrating Ryan's aunt's 50th birthday while he stayed home to work. 

With so much family in town and near by, it seems that Christmas each year is filled right up with activities and festivities. Before you know it, you've completed a pentathlon of last minute shopping extravaganza's, holiday shindigs, turkey spectaculars, hearty christmas bake-offs' rounded out by several family occasions to say a little merry-christmas-and-i-love-you's. Phew! I'm tired just reminiscing about it all ;)

That said, Ryan and I couldn't feel more blessed to have so many dear friends and family near us during the holidays. We felt entirely lavished with love over the holiday season, and we hope you did too! 

Wishing you a fabulous start to 2013! I hope all your goals, hopes and dreams actualize, and that you'll be pleasantly surprised by the goodness this new year has in store for you!