Fake trees

In case the major influx of colored lights and pine smells didn't clue you in- it's Christmas! I'm thrilled about this because last year we didn't really get to celebrate Christmas the way it should be celebrated due to a major event in our lives....marriage. So this year we have started out right!

We got a little fake tree-stuck it together like pros, fluffed out the plastic branches and plugged it all in.

Then we got all of our ornaments together to check out what we had and put the hooks on. If you look carefully you can see Ben's ornament this year......Darth Vadar in glass.

But the REAL treats were these little jewels. Somehow All of Ben's homemade ornaments got to our house and you can bet your bottom they are ALL on our little tree. I could not stop laughing and insisting that we give them all a place of honor. How can you resist that precious face?? And the popsicle sticks? Dear heaven help us TOO cute! They all made it one though some a little further to the back than others  for Ben's sake :)

With a silver star on top our tree was finished! We immediately proceeded to wrap presents, string lights around our entire living room--turn them on--and sit enjoying our handiwork while Christmas music played softly in the background. Very romantique :)

Decorating our tiny little hole in the wall made me a little homesick, but mostly it made me thankful for Ben and his intense love of the holidays. He actually appreciates my decorating and fussing and helps! Dear gosh I love him. He has been so busy and studying like a mad man but he always takes time to help me make our hole feel like home. Love that man.

Joyeux Noël mes amis!

A Very Otto Thanksgiving

What a great Thanksgiving Break! Ben and I have literally never been so lazy in our lives and it was fantastic! Though I'm not sure if it could have laste much longer without us both losing our minds- we still had a lovely time with lots of family!

It reminded me of a lot of things I'm newly thankful for this year.

First that I married this gorgeous, loving man! I kind of look scary in this pic-- but look how cute Ben is! And that Bear shirt...you really can't beat it! He is everything and more i could have ever asked for and he came out of nowhere to sweep me off my feet. Plus he's hilarious and laughs at the dorky things I say, and is just as gross and filled with 5th grade humor as I am :0 ahh, tru luv.

Next is this beautiful sister I acquired! She is a true beauty with a heart of gold and a lot of sass. I think you have to have that as the only girl of 8 kids--that's a lot of brothers. I have had the best year getting to know her and having an older sister instead of being the older sister. I love it! and I love her!

I'm also thankful for these two :) It has been so much fun to watch their relationship go from acquaintances to love birds. They have been our good friends, early morning helpers and constant source of hilarity.

Ah, the cool kids :) I'm so grateful for these two and their ever techy, ever athletic, and ever matter-of-fact attitudes. They are precious (yes, precious) and have taught me one of the best ways to stay in love=actually doing things together! I'm pretty sure they have the most fun out of all of us.

Oh- and did I mention this handsome Jack? The guy who makes bizarre dinners with me, dries while I wash dishes, sings me soulful tunes at any and all times, wears this shirt......, helps me stay healthy, while indulging in my Farr's addiction every so often, eats everything I cook and then some, squeezes my guts with hugs and claims that I have the most kissable cheeks?

Oh that's right, I did! My mistake. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!