Christmas Recap

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas yesterday.  I know we sure did.  It started Christmas Eve when we spent the afternoon with my Grandma.  She has Alzheimer's and we were blessed to be able to spend the afternoon with her at her assisted living center.  Following lunch with her, we headed to Christmas Eve service at church.  This year's theme was Timeless Christmas.  The message of salvation was preached and after the weekend was done over 2200 people proclaimed new life in Christ!!  Glory!! The service was amazing and the message was timeless.  They also did this really amazing video involving a piano which you can see HERE. 

 We woke up Christmas morning and shared our traditional breakfast just the two of us.  Brandon always makes his famous french toast, which almost didn't happen this year because at 11:00 Christmas Eve I realized we didn't have any syrup,but being the loving husband that he is, Brandon ran out to the only store that was open (Walgreens) and bought some syrup.  Love him!  Anyways, so we had our delicious french toast breakfast and then it was on to our presents.  We always swap gifts Christmas morning before heading to our families' houses for lunch and dinner.  This year, Brandon was way too good to me.  Y'all!  I got a Canon T3i!!!  I'm so pumped.  It is intimidating because I know nothing about photography, but I am eager to learn.  I also got tickets to see the Lion King when it comes to town, which happens to be the night before our anniversary, how perfect is that?!  He seriously is the best!  I made Brandon do a scavenger hunt around the house to find his big Christmas gift and he finally found out that we are going to see Jeff Dunham's comedy show in a few weeks!  Of course we couldn't leave out of furbabies and they each got some fun treats as well.   

Sheldon Cooper Quote mug, we are huge Big Bang Theory Fans

After Christmas morning, we headed to Brandon's mom's house for lunch.  We got some pretty sweet gifts there as well, including a new Keurig!  Also, I get to go see Wiked!!!!!  Tickets to see two shows!  2013 is going to be the best.  Following lunch, we went to my parents' house for our annual steak dinner.  I got lots of clothes and oh yeah, my mom got me tickets to see Taylor Swift, who is in concert the night before my birthday!!  Seriously 2013 is the year of shows. 
 

Christmas was an amazing time to spend time with family and to receive lots of fun gifts, but the most amazing gift of all was sent by way of our Heavenly Father.  Time stood still as a little baby cried in a manger and it was announced that our Savior had come.  I am so thankful that Christ was born and that He died to redeem us.  What an amazing Christmas gift!!

Insta-Christmas

This is just a look around our house and at all the holiday decorations!  We love decorating for Christmas, but I refuse to put anything up before Thanksgiving.  So, the weekend after Thanksgiving it was an all go!  All the lights, sparkle, and warmth are so fun!  I finally caved this year and let Brandon have a SMALL blowup for the front yard.  What have I done??!!  Anyways, here you go Christmas at the Brown's via Instagram!
 

 

On another note, this is our Christmas card photo and I think it's super adorable!  I love my little family!

 

Christmas Questions

I saw this idea just surfing the internet and thought it would be fun to answer some random Christmas questions.  We all have different traditions, likes and dislikes, and holiday quirks.  So here you go, my Christmas answers.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I think wrapping paper is more fun, I like ripping it off, but if it is a difficult item to wrap, then definitely baggin it.  

2. Real tree or artificial? DEFINITELY real tree.  I grew up having real trees.  I love the smell and going to pick it out (even if it is from Home Depot).  

 

Last year's tree, more to come on this year's

 

3. When do you put up the tree? AFTER THANKSGIVING, not a moment before.  This is a big thing for me.  I like to celebrate Thanksgiving and then move on to Christmas. 

4. When do you take the tree down? We take it down after New Year's.  I like to have a good month or so to enjoy it. 

5. Do you like eggnog? NO, GROSS.  I much prefer hot tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider.

6. Hardest person to buy for?Brandon and my dad.  Men are so difficult!

7.. Easiest person to buy for? My sister is pretty easy to shop for.  I know what she likes and she doesn't hesitate to tell me what she wants.

8.. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.  I love opening the mail and seeing fun Christmas cards to open.

9. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf!  I'm not into the cheesy Christmas movies, but Elf is so cute.

10. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm usually late.  Maybe middle of December we start.  I know, I know.

11. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My parents always make steak dinner and Brandon's mom makes lots of little fun desserts like mint brownies, peanut butter balls, and fudge.  Oh, and Brandon always makes his delicious french toast Christmas morning!

12. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree? Growing up, we had colored lights, but Brandon and I decorate in all white.  I like the wintery feeling of white lights.  (more pictures to come of our decorations!)

13. Favorite Christmas song? I love Oh Holy Night.  It's such a powerful song and such a testament to what Christmas is all about.  

14. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We always stay home.  Both of our families live here, so no need to travel.  Although, I really want to travel somewhere tropical one year for Christmas in the sun.

15. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both.  We have my extended family's celebration on Christmas Eve, but immediate families on Christmas day. 

16. Favorite festive event?I love going to the Christmas Eve service at church.  It is a great way to enter the day and to celebrate our Savior's birth!  Plus, they always have really fun creative elements. This year's theme is Code Orange Christmas.

 

 

17. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love to have an iPhone, but I know those are ridiculously expensive, so what I really need is work clothes, boots, a coat, and new shoes.