My sweet husband indulged my desire to see Christmas lights. I have a lot of memories as a child of me and my siblings loading up in our vehicle with our parents so they could drive us around to look at lights every year. Sometimes, we would drive for what seemed like hours, but I'm sure it didn't take that long. I love it, though! I hope we will continue that tradition for years to come!
We also got to put up a tree this year! We had limited time to enjoy it because of our busy schedules with work, him finishing his semester at school, plus holiday travel, but I'm so glad we got to have one! <3 Looking forward to trying for a real fir tree in the future!
And, of course, my Kenyan manger scene made its appearance. :o)
Complete with gifts of Frankincense. Ha!
~~~
Before we left for North Carolina on Christmas Day, we got together with his side of our family a couple of days before Christmas. Tons of presents, lots of laughter, games and delicious gumbo!
This is our family! Damion, me, his brother, and his parents!
One of his favorite little gifts.
Its hard to enjoy drinks (without a straw) when you have a full beard!
<3
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Next up, our drive to North Carolina! Damion had to work Christmas Day, so we didn't get to leave until mid-day. 900 or so miles to go, we were off! We drove through the night and got to my parents in the wee hours of the morning on the 26th. We rested for a little while, then headed out to go meet my mom's side of the family for our big family Christmas. We got to see so many of our favorite littles that day! In the afternoon, Damion and I went to visit my cousins Emily and Royce and their girls, too... more babies to love on!
Love all those babies! <3
The next day, it was time for my family Christmas. Its all about the kiddos, of course! We all go over to my brother's house, and my sister-in-law makes a HUGE spread of appetizers. It's so yummy!
<3 <3 <3
Uncle Damion and Natalie, out to eat before my parents have to leave for work.
~~~
Another favorite holiday tradition for me is getting together with my college besties! Matt and Marie were two of my first friends when I went to college *mumblemumblenumberofyearsago*, and since we're all pretty close together since my parents moved to Hickory, we try to make sure we get together! Love these two!
And we indulge in desserts after dinner. :o)
More deliciousness in North Carolina ... Cookout!
(I promise we didn't just eat the whole time we were there.. hahah)
To finish up our trip, we hung out at home with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece for New Year's Eve. We had a bonfire out back, complete with hot dogs, marshmallows, and a few drinks.
Here's to 2016!
Here's to 2016!
January 1 -- we headed out early in the morning, but made sure to grab the last of the North Carolina / North part of the South delicacies... Bojangles! Haha...
And we finished our journey late in the evening, arriving home in time to unload and crash in bed!
Hearts full, excited for the new year, but sleep was definitely needed!
Hearts full, excited for the new year, but sleep was definitely needed!
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