Merry Christmas!

The last few days have been blissfully busy. It started on the 23rd with a family expedition to see Annie at Playhouse on the Square and the meeting of Harley's new bff Boston, Brie's chocolate lab puppy. Then Christmas Eve was spent with family, taking Santa pictures, eating lots of food, and going to midnight Christmas Eve service at church. Christmas morning brought lots of presents, a bout of car trouble, and an evening at Jake's Gran's house, and then just like that, it was done.

Christmas is an easy time to lose sight of what you're doing and I love that our Christmas traditions are very methodical and specific in spending time with family and going to church.

And now, for a bit of pictures,

Christmas cheer in the form of old school bows -

 Here's Brie's new puppy, Boston, that we met on the 23rd! So cute. He's a 7 week old chocolate lab.

Every year, Jake's family takes a picture with Santa. They have done it since Jake was a baby and his mom has all the pictures that she displays every Christmas. This year we went while Santa was on an hour and a half break (I mean really? on Christmas Eve?) so we just took a picture without Santa.

Jake's mom made lots of yummy food to eat on Christmas Eve, including these amazing pastrami wrapped pickles. I'll surely be making these soon!

Christmas Eve night , Jake and I spent some time at our house just enjoying the tree and each other. 

On Christmas morning, we spent some time opening presents but first had to make sure to put baby Jesus in the manger - look, he showed up!

New ballet flat shoes from Land's End from my parentals - much needed (also got two sweaters and a dress from Land's End. Love it).

 Much needed casual jacket for rain - my old one was shedding the lining all over everything.

 My brother got me a new phone case, also a necessary thing since my other one was broken - so cute!

Also I got two Pyrex pieces, this small mixing bowl and a matching pie plate. 

 After opening presents at my parents' house, we made breakfast. Here's Ez with our dog Daisy:

 Then it was off to Jake's parents for Christmas presents. Jake got a snuggie from his sister for Christmas! I told him he should wear it to the med school:)

We finished the day with dinner at Jake's Gran's house - but didn't quite make it there after running over something on the road and busting a tire. With no spare, we had to get the car towed to the shop and get Jake's dad to pick us up...

 But then we were back in business and on the road. After dinner at Gran's, we finally went home. And just in case you thought the pets were left out, I wanted to share this picture of Harley with her new favorite toy that Beth got her, her pig: She loves it.

 When we got home, it was time to admire our gifts and think about the people that gave them to us... I got this fab trench from Jake's siblings:

 And Jake got me Toms so I can finally join the "cool club"!

And while we love our presents, the best part of this week has been spending time with everyone and enjoying each other's company. After all, that is what is important.

In savoring the days left in Winter Break,