An Untraditional Christmas

It being the last day of the year, I suppose I could combine my Christmas and New Year's post, but I don't know that I have the stamina to write that much today (nor the time), so we'll stick with Christmas today, and then get to the New Year, well, tomorrow hopefully! :)

Christmas is always a time I look forward to. It used to be my favorite time of year, it still is but in a different way. As I mentioned in my last post, as I've gotten older, I've really come to see the real meaning in Christmas and though gift exchanges and holiday parties are fun and festive, it's so important to remember the real reason for the season.

I don't know if my whole family felt the same this year, or if it just wound up working out this way, but we kind of went back to the basics, so to speak. We do holidays BIG at our house. My parents are both from huge families and we've been fortunate to have close family friends in the area that may as well be family. Before this year, I can't remember one where there were less than at least 10 people. It's always tons of fun and tons of laughter. This year was a little different. I think the realization is starting to hit my parents (and B's for that matter) that we'll be married in a few short months and, well, sad to say, but this would probably be the last Christmas for each of our parent's to have us to themselves. So, Brandon went home to spend some time with his parents and I packed up the fur-kids and headed to mine.

We didn't invite anyone for dinner this year and on Christmas eve, my dad cooked a ham and mac & cheese. Jokingly, he said "Mmmm...we should eat this tonight because it looks to yummy to wait until tomorrow." And then someone, I think my mom maybe, chimed in with "well, let's just do Christmas tonight and then we'll do church tomorrow and then relax the rest of the day." To which I replied: "YES!"

So we had a casual dinner, while watching Sound of Music on TV. Which that in itself was hilarious because B was watching the same with his parents in LR and kept texting me with all the absurd lines in the movie that he hadn't noticed before. :) Then, we opened our traditional Christmas jammies and then the rest of our gifts! :) Well, actually before that our parents took one last picture of their 3 Rosso girls at the top of the stairs, since next year I'll be a Turner! After presents we ate some dessert, snuggled up and watched another movie. It was a perfect day!

The next morning we went to church, took the dogs to the park and then dad made our "Christmas dinner". His homemade pizza! MMMMMMM. Talk about untraditional! But, we sat around the table and had us a feast! It was delish. Then we went and saw We Bought a Zoo at the theater. Um - FANTASTIC movie!

So, basically it was full of relaxing and just enjoying the 5 of us. It's been a long time since we've taken it easy and just enjoyed each other's company. The perfect Christmas indeed!

Update: It's now 2 weeks later and I'm just getting back to this blog...oops! Being busy is fun, but whew - looking forward to things slowing down after May!

So - last bit about Christmas...

Brandon and I decided to not exchange presents this year. We're house shopping and just paid for our honeymoon...so yeah.... Then he asked "so, are we really not exchanging gifts or are you saying that and then getting me a gift and expecting one from me?" I appreciated that - means he's learning! ;) So, I mentioned that I had gotten a couple of things for him, but explained they were things he needed and we would have bought soon anyway, so I just wrapped them so he had something to unwrap.
Now, before I mention what he got me, I should mention that B isn't the most romantic boy in the world...it's not a bad thing because then when he does do something super sweet, it means that much more. He went creative on me! I didn't even know he had it in him, but he does! Now he's in trouble because I know what he's capable of! Mwahahaha.

He spent maybe $10 but it's the most meaningful gift I've ever received:

First you need to know - I have an obsession with cute costume-like jewelry and second, I have a jewelry organization disability if you will... It seems that for the life of me I can't keep two earrings in a pair and it's because I don't have a good place for them. They get mixed up and clumped together in jewelry boxes and so a year or so ago, B joked and said "my mom keeps her jewelry in a tackle box" and I thought to myself "genius". I mean - each pair of earrings could have their own individual space then. Well, he got me my tackle box, but he took it to the next level!

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but he made the tackle box the "husband box" complete with instructions. And he said "I did this on my own - I didn't even look on pinterest!" Oh, how I love that boy. Each compartment has a task or gesture, so if I wear the jewelry from that day, he has to do whatever the label says. A few examples of some of the compartments: back/shoulder massage, shopping trip, random compliment generator, gas fill up, flowers, chick flick movie pass, etc. It was so cute and the instructions/letter it came with had me all misty-eyed. I love that feeling!
The only problem is that now I stare at my jewelry trying to figure out not only what I want to wear, but also what I might want from the husband box! It's doubled my "get ready" time! Totally worth it though!

Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Happy 2012!

And now a few pictures from the season:

I felt like being cheesey! Success! 

Being silly at the Ice exhibit! 

It's a family tradition!

Mom and Dad with their Christmas pj's

Chloe and Timmy were snuggling!

I found this on my dad's camera - guess he thought it was funny that Chloe was ready to come back in

Seeeeeeesters

Mom and Dad - they're kinda adorable! 

Yes, I'm as tall as my dad! (at least in the shoes I was wearing)

Baby it's Cold Outside!

It's a brisk, cold night and I'm bundled up while blogging!! And watching Glee! Oh - and I tried upgrading our internet tonight and talked to an English speaking cust. service rep (which is reason to celebrate on it's own) but he informed me that U-verse is now available at our casa. So see ya later TWC - you suck and it will not make me sad to see you go!!!

In other news...I'm sad to say I've been called a grinch a time or two this holiday season... Let me defend myself: I'm a firm believer in reserving November for Thanksgiving and then celebrating Christmas all December long. I just feel that the reason for the season is lost so much sometimes and the fact that people don't even take a second to enjoy and give Thanks during November and instead want to fight the crowds, push people and buy! buy! BUY! It just beats me down a little. I know that sounds harsh and I know that the majority of the people I surround myself with are nothing like that, and sure, I'll give you the fact that the deals are amazing, but give me the option to relax with some holiday treats and hot chocolate and have good conversation with great company or stand in a line to get 1/2 off a TV or some other electronic, I'll pick laughing with my family and watching football any time! I guess the older I get the more I realize how lucky I've been all my life and how wonderful my family always made the holidays and as life goes by faster and faster, I just want to take those moments in a little more.

Another reason I think I'be been called out is probably because I still have a pumpkin centerpiece and fall flowers in all my vases. I will admit that Christmas decorating is not on my list AT ALL right now and honestly, I don't foresee a tree or lights in our humble abode's future this season. It's a little sad, but I keep telling myself that this time next year, I'll be settled in my new job, married and in our new home and we'll  go totally overboard and make up for this year! Deal? ;) And don't get me wrong - I'm totally thrilled about this holiday season...so much so that I made everyone stop in dwntwn ft. worth when it was freezing a couple of weekends ago to get these pictures:

Yup - Ft. Worth is purty, isn't it?!? It's my new home away from home too... I recently made a huge change and left NSAI to take a job in downtown Fort Worth. I was at NSAI for about 3.5 years and I'd equate leaving my friends there to breaking up with my first love! Ok, so maybe it wasn't that intense, but it definitely goes down as one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! I had an AMAZING group of friends there and I cried a LOT when I had to leave them, but after 3 days at my new company, I know I've made the right decision for my career! I don't think the people at the new place will ever give my NSAI family a run for their money, but the good news is that I know I'll always be friends that group! They really outdid themselves as well when wishing me farewell...it totally made me cry even more, but it was SO sweet and made me laugh as well!

Look closely...you might recognize a few faces! Credits: Angela Blevins = AMAZING paint skills!! 

They also got me the newest poster! Just a matter of time before I hang it in my new office, I'm sure! ;)

My card!

Wedding updates: Brandon's parents came to stay with us over Thanksgiving and we were able to show them the venue and do a cake tasting with them. What fun! We decided on a cake/baker, so we have 1 more thing off of our list. Now I just need to finish the labels for the save-the-dates and then they'll be in the mail! I can't believe how close it's getting. It seems like it's crunch time and there is so much to do, but I can't seem to find the time to do it all. I have a feeling it will all fall into place soon though.

Also, wish us luck - we're going house hunting this weekend and I have my fingers and toes crossed that we find our home! Already tired of driving 1+ hour each way to and from work and so ready to have a yard so I can get my little Timmy back! I think he's having fun with Aunt Becca though! :) They snuggle lots. 

I'll have to tell you all about my wonderful weekend to Philly next time, but overwhelmed as he may have been, I think B had a good time. He asked me at one point "how do you keep all these people straight?!" I think that's a sign that I need to make him some flash cards before the wedding because he still hasn't met more than half of my family and he's already losing track! God Bless the Irish/Italian Catholics...with so many people, there's never a dull moment! haha.

There's either a victoria secret commercial or football on! ;) 

Festive! <3

I think it's time for bed. The rest of the week is looking increasingly busy and I might as well get some ZZ's in while I still can. December is my last month to take it easy and come January, everything will be going into full speed: wedding planning, showers, bachelorette parties, travels, moving, etc... I don't know if I've mentioned this, but man, I can't wait until May 27th! I know that once we get back from the honeymoon something will surely come up and life will be just as busy again, but I'm looking forward to our 2 week break in between the nuptials and the going back to reality...as MRS. TURNER! Yippee!!

Love, 

Lisa Lou