back home and good things

I've been avoiding getting back online because I am so behind on just about everything related to this crazy online life! I have so many emails to return, bills to pay, blog posts to write (okay, so not super important), things I need to research...not to mention phone calls I need to return and the grocery store that keeps calling my name. Oh yeah, and this Christmas fanatic only has a tree with lights up--nothing else. Ugh! But of course, I'm just going to ignore my to-do list and procrastinate. It is really a good strategy. Try it:) A few things to share...

~We just returned from a week-long holiday whirlwind trip to visit Joel's family. We spent a couple days with Joel's siblings, then each set of parents. Last year we decided to start spending the first week of December celebrating the holidays with this part of the family instead of traveling over Thanksgiving and Christmas. We love it! It is honestly now one of my favorite holiday traditions. We get to spend quality time with our family instead of rushing all over. And we get to preserve our time during this season as a young family. So important!

~No pictures. I too absolutely no pictures during our trip. I was in camera rebellion. I just didn't feel like it and it felt good to not worry about capturing the moment. I just lived it instead. Now I'm just hoping

~Question: Is it a bad thing when my two year old starts asking for a Starbuck's scone every time we go through a drive-thru? He's even asked for a latte before. I'm wondering if this is a reflection of my habit? Don't answer that.

~Christmas cards in the mailbox. We came home to a full box full of Christmas cards and it was so exciting! I loved reading the letters and looking at all the pictures. It is one of the best parts of the season. Send me your cards!