Whirlwind...

 So that's it! Christmas has once again come and gone. And like the last few years, I always end up feeling exhausted beyond what I could ever imagine and yet, still wishing I had been able to do more. I need to figure out the perfect balance between making the most of Christmas while not practically killing myself to achieve it. Maybe that will be my goal for next year.

It was a sweet time, but a busy time over the last few days. Starting with hosting a rehearsal dinner for a dear friend,  his bride and 40 of their closest friends and family, 

 attending their beautiful wedding, 

and going to my family's Christmas party and being visited by a very eccentric and hairy Santa while singing carols.

Followed by finding non-existent time on Christmas Eve, in the rain, waiting in line for over an hour, to finally see Santa. Nothing like waiting 'til the last minute for the 3rd Christmas in a row.

We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's and it was truly a special time. My little brother was surprised with the gift of a lifetime and I am so glad we got to be there to share in such a special moment. He had a verrrry long, tough year and I can't think of a better way to end it than with the same eccentric Santa...and a Mustang!

 Later that evening was my 2nd annual Christmas Eve PJ party with my little sisters,

 followed by Santa dropping off the loot!

We enjoyed Christmas breakfast with egg and hashbrown casserole, baked oatmeal, blueberries and cream, cinnamon roll monkey bread and a family favorite: orange julius! 

 

We ended the day by hosting my husbands side of the family for dinner and a great time of visiting and laughing.

It was every bit of a Christmas Marathon that I am STILL recovering from and being almost 9 months pregnant definitely added to the challenge! I will be spending the next few days cleaning, packing all of the lights and ornaments away until next year and I will begin to focus on getting my nest ready for when my baby bird decides to hatch! I hope your Christmas was filled with family, food and the joy that comes with the blessed season! I'll be back soon with my goals for 2013.