Monday, December 31, 2018

Looking Back at 2018

As far as years go, 2018 was okay.  There were some highs and some lows, and more stress than I would have liked for a portion of the year.  Christopher definitely helped me de-stress, relax, and take the lows in stride, and the year is ending off fabulously! 

As an end of the year review this year, I thought I'd look back at each month of 2018, and give the highlight(s) from that month. 

January - We started 2018 in Mexico, at Excellence Riviera Cancun, where we had some much-needed relaxation time.


February - We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, had our friends Jeff and Alaina over for dinner, and I got to meet Freya (Christopher's relative from England; I got the idea for this month by month highlight from her Instagram story).


March - We went over to Mel and Steve's house for dinner on St. Patrick's Day; it was really nice to spend time with them and our niece.  We also had an early Easter brunch at Christopher's parents' house.


April - We were back in Mexico!  This year was not one of adventure, but rather one of self-care and relaxation. 


May - May was fun!  We went to Vancouver for a few days, had Mel and Steve over for dinner, went out with family for my dad's 77th birthday, hit the Cathedral Arts Festival, and went out to Mosaic with friends.


June - The best part of June was when we went to Good Spirit with our friends.  This month we also had my dad over for a Fathers' Day dinner, and went out with Christopher's parents for a joint Mothers/Fathers' Day date.


July - In July we celebrated three of our littlest nephew/nieces' birthdays.  They turned 1, 2, and 3 years old.  Our friends Matt and Alissa had us over for brunch.  We had my sister and Riley over for dinner, and then had both my whole family, and Christopher's whole family over for backyard BBQs.


August - At the end of July and beginning of August, Christopher was off for a week, so we had our first week-long staycation together.  Some other highlights of the month included a wonderful rib BBQ in the park that our friends Keith and Fanta planned, dinner at my sister and Riley's, and friends Mike and Tiffany's wedding; we danced our butts off!


September - We went to our niece's 4th birthday party.  This month we also went out to a couple get-togethers with friends, and started our Spanish class.


October -  Christopher's parents had us over for a feast to celebrate both of our birthdays, and later in the month we had them over for brunch.  We also dressed up and went out with friends for a fun Halloween celebration!

 

November - My sister and Riley tied the knot!  It was super fun, and the kids had a blast playing together after lunch. We also had our friends Colin and Erica over for brunch, and had a great time catching up with them.


December - We had a few nights out with friends, and a really lovely Christmas at home.  And today my sister Leah turns 32!

Happy birthday Leah!

I am sure I missed some other highlights of the year, and looking back at these memories, I can't help but be thankful for all the blessings in our lives, and all the amazing people we are surrounded by.

Tonight we're changing it up from our typical New Year Eve celebration, which for the past few years has either been in Mexico, or a quiet evening at home.  We're heading over to our friends' place for a pajama party with a bunch of our friends, and all their kids 💙 It will be a wonderful way to ring in 2019, and I am really looking forward to what the new year will bring.

Be safe tonight my friends!

How are you ringing in the new year?

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Family Christmas #2

We had such a beautiful Christmas

Christmas morning was spent looking through our stockings, and opening a few gifts while we nibbled cinnamon buns.  Our brunch was cooking in the oven for a couple hours, but once that was done we sat down to eat.


Later in the day we went to Christopher's parents' house, and enjoyed some snacks by the wood-burning fire.  It was so cozy.


We had a great time catching up with the family, and seeing our absolutely adorable nieces.  Dinner was the full turkey spread!

My plate:


Since Christmas we've been trying to eat a bunch of veggies.  We've had a few large salads:


And spaghetti squash with chicken meatballs, and tomato fennel sauce:


Yesterday we drove to Saskatoon to spend the day with my mom.  We went out for dinner to Japa Bowl.  I had the ramen, and Christopher ordered the beef udon noodles.


After breakfast this morning we spent the rest of the day with my mom again, and then headed out on the highway home.


We're looking forward to the last day of 2018 tomorrow! 

How was your Christmas?  Did you see a lot of family members?  
Are you sick of rich foods/baked treats etc.?

Monday, December 24, 2018

Christmas Eve

It will be a white Christmas after all.  The snow was gently falling when I woke up this morning, and it continued to fall for a good part of the day.


I had a quiet morning with the TV fireplace going, the tree lit up, a candle burning, and a delicious yogurt bowl for breakfast. 

It was calm and peaceful.


After breakfast I started making cinnamon buns.


When I was little my mom would make cinnamon buns all the time, and she'd put a dough buffer around the edges of the pan to make sure that all the cinnamon buns were the inside pieces that we loved so much.  I did the same today.


I also got a wifesaver breakfast ready for tomorrow and into the fridge.  In the morning we'll open presents, and have a cinnamon bun and coffee while it is cooking.

When Christopher got home from work we got our snack on!


Merry Christmas Mr. Bean was first on list for TV specials tonight, and next up we're watching the original cartoon Grinch.

The stockings are ready to be filled ...


The table is set for brunch ...


Santa, we're ready for you!

 

Merry Christmas everyone!  
Wishing you all joy and happiness 🎄