Final Days of 2011!

With days standing between us until 2012, Ray and I are making each day count before we ring in the New Year!

We returned from our Christmas travels on Wednesday night. But after much celebration and unpacking, it was definitely time to turn in early. After an extremely long separation from our pups, it was time to pick them up as we had a day of relaxing with our cute family of four ahead of us. During our trip, my MIL gave us this cute Christmas doggy sweater. It was perfect for Toby! I had to take a picture of our boy before packing it up until next year. tear:( But isn't he adorable?!?!

That afternoon we received a text from our friends about a birthday celebration at the Gingerman at the Shops at Legacy. It was a great opportunity to visit with the birthday girl, her main squeeze, and of course with our Brushwood friends who traveled in from Arizona for the holidays. Here's to documenting our lives together:)

Thursday night we enjoyed dinner with the Fants. Since we will be giving up fast food for 2012, we decided to pick up In and Out Burger (a first time experience for the ladies). I definitely had an open mind as the opening of In and Out was like an 8th wonder of the world or whatever number they are on nowadays. When In and Out Burger opened in Allen it held lines for hours as people claimed this was THE BEST BURGER EVER! Again I had an open mind but figured that this was a must have as I had never experienced it and I wouldn't be eating it for the next 365 days. It was actually pretty good. I wouldn't say it was the best burger I've ever consumed, but really tasty. I could have done without the fries though. I have had better fries... but all and all a good little meal:) Anyway... it was a fun night with friends and a great way to spend one of our last days of 2011:)

Now the husband and I have run errands, relaxed with the pups, cleaned, and will be getting ready to ring in the new year with amazing friends! I am so thankful for all our blessings and cannot wait to see what next year will hold. Wishing you a wonderful last day of 2011 and a very happy New Year!

Zellner Christmas 2011

On Tuesday, Ray and I continued our Christmas celebration with our Zellner family. It was a day filled with celebration, morning mosas, puppy play dates, gift exchanging, and memory making. While it was a short visit, it (as always) was a memorable one.

We arrived around early afternoon where we then spent the afternoon with Ray's parents making holiday treats for the family and enjoyed "morning mosas." Within moments of his sisters' arrival, it was time to unwrap presents and go through our stockings. PS. The stripes were NOT planned. ha

From Aggie gear, drink glasses, perfume, winter hats, to clothing, teacher supplies, coffee machines, and as seen on tv materials... it was a fun gift giving season. After presents we spent the night enjoying a wonderful dinner with family and play dates with the pups including Ray's two family pups, Pancho and Waley, as well as his sister's mama Rory and seven week old Falkor.

Thank you to my Zellner family for another amazing Christmas filled with so many wonderful blessings and gifts... the greatest gift of all... love!

What an amazing holiday spent with those we love. Next year we will be greeted by Ray's older brother, Ryan, our niece Olivia, Ryan's new fiance Tassie, and her two children Kendall and Jacob. While we missed our extended family this year, we are so looking forward to being with those we love next year and for many days in between.

Merry Christmas

love the Zellners

A Wonderful Waldrup Christmas!

Ray and I are truly blessed!
This year, we spent Christmas with my Waldrup family. A few days before our journey home, I once again came down with a not so fun sinus infection, but thankfully, it quickly passed... until Ray ended up getting it a few days later. So our holidays were sure filled with boxes of tissues and lots of Mucinex DM. Regardless of illness, Ray was a trooper and we enjoyed a wonderful and relaxed, laid back Christmas with my family. This Christmas we watched holiday movies, drank hot apple cider and coffee, enjoyed a special Christmas Eve candlelight service at Grand Parkway Baptist Church, partied with superheros, flew small airplanes with the kiddos, enjoyed silly string fights, played Scrabble Slam with my mom, and spent special time with my family. Our days were action packed but all worth the excitement.

We wish you a very blessed Christmas season from our family to yours filled with happy and healthy days ahead!

Starbucks drinks in town center

Celebrating with my favorite drummer boy!

Christmas Stockings hung by the chimney with care

Waldrup ladies photo including my
beautiful mom, family dog Aggie, and myself

Christmas Eve we were invited to attend Grand Parkway Baptist Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with my brother, his fiance, and her family. It was a beautiful service and a perfect way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Plus we saw some very familiar faces from our very own home church in Richardson. What a small world?!?

Christmas morning we began our festivities around 9:30AM. Poor Ray did not feel too festive but as I previously said... he was such a trooper! We enjoyed morning sausage balls, opened family stockings, warm apple cider and coffee, and spent our afternoon eating a delicious meal, played fun card games, and relaxed with the family.

The husband and my stockings

Aggie's special Christmas treat

Christmas morning with mom, dad, and Aggie

My amazing family. We are blessed!

Warm apple cider in festive Christmas cups

Father and Daughter Christmas Morning

Snowman decor

That afternoon around 4PM, we were joined by my older brother, Chris, his fiance Melissa, her son Aiden, and niece Abbey. There we continued our fun Christmas celebration with the family and with a little help from miss Aggie! By the afternoon, we pumped Ray with lots of meds which really seemed to help. We were ready for round 2!

Ray flying airplanes with the kiddos. I think Ray had more fun playing with Aiden's toys. It seems as though we may be purchasing some magnetics, hero masks, and more silly string! I love my kid at heart!

Captain America and Thor

Christmas Superheros and of course a silly string fight!

That night we made our way to the Pry's where we visited my aunt, uncles, cousins Travis and Danny including his wife Jessica. This was the first time we were able to get all of the cousins and members together for Christmas in over three years. What an absolutely special time with family this holiday season. Enjoy a few pictures of our evening together.

Aiden and Abbey playing games

Chris and Melissa

My aunt Erlene, mom, and myself on Christmas

The cousins with our significants:)

My mom, Uncle Bruce, and Aunt Erlene

PRESENTS!

Our cousin picture. Yes I am the only girl on this side of the family!

The next morning, both Ray and I were exhausted but all worth it. We slept in, hung out in pjs, watched movies, played more Scrabble Slam with my mom, and of course made some holiday cookies.

What an absolutely amazing family we have and a blessing to spend it with them. I am so thankful for all that God has given us this year and am excited to see what next year will hold.
Tomorrow we will join our Zellner family and continue our holiday celebrations together. Wishing you and yours a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!