Christmas 2014

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. This year was a pretty great Christmas mainly because L and I both got to see everyone in our family. We traveled to Ohio for the holidays and have been on the roll with all of the hip, hop and happening Christmas parties, dinners, celebrations, game nights, shopping and family time! It truly has been great!
Even though there was absolutely no snow, we still made the best of it and had the jolliest of times!
I should have known better, but I always seem to go a little overboard on presents. I love boxing everything up in brown paper packages tied up in string, however when it comes to figuring out how we're going to transport them from point A to point B... I lose my cool. Somehow, we managed to squeeze almost all of our presents into the tiny car to make the trip. Next year, everyone's getting gift cards!

Wrapping is my favorite! I invest entirely way too much time perfecting each and every gift so that they are all different yet all the same theme. I went a little tulle crazy and incorporated it onto almost every gift. Gifts that L and I bought for our families included the fleece lined flannels from L.L. Bean, Visa gifts cards, a latte machine, flannel pajamas, fleeces, hiking socks and soles, and I bought L some Bean Boots!

My mom's rendition of a Christmas tree this year was much improved from last year when she didn't even get a tree. I think it's safe to say she has reached the "low maintenance Christmas" phase of her life and is waiting for us kids to start hosting the holidays. In other news, I made my first turkey dinner and we noshed on that feast which was followed by exchanging our gifts. 

My sister and I made two batches of sugar cookies and ninjabread men, while my mom had some molasses cookies on hand as well as some delicious cranberry cookies that she made. We basically baked and baked and baked and then ate everything. There is an unending supply of candy and cakes sitting around here and I have absolutely no self control. Who cares!

I accidentally bought a $30 lotto ticket the other day and got lucky. I don't like gambling with that much.

I also came extremely close to adopting another cat multiple times. Look at those faces! L said no.

Other Ohio shenanigans involved getting to go see my favorite hair lady in all of the land, eating at some of my favorite small town shops and meeting up with some high school friends. It's so fun to see what everyone is up to these days.
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!
P.S. If you want to join in and try the 52 week money savings challenge... NOW is as good as time as ever to start!