Christmas came and went far faster than any I ever remember before. 

I'm sure you all know by know that I am a Christmas lover. I love everything about it-the lights, the yummy treats, the gifts but more importantly the time spent with family continuing traditions and making new memories. 

This year though was different. I wasn't as joyful as other years. The excitement wasn't there. I think it's because I couldn't knock the thoughts about Sandy Hook and all of the tragedies happening in the world. My heart was heavy this year. Needless, we still continued traditions and made new memories. 

Though it was the FIFTH Christmas hubs and I spent together it was our first married. So that in itself made it a bit more special. 

We spent the Sunday before Christmas the the hubs family. 

Three dogs and three little boys tearing around make for quite the excitement.

Christmas Eve was spent with my family as tradition goes. 

We have a early dinner, open gifts and then enjoy tasty snacks. 

I got some lovely gifts as well. Made me feel like one blessed girl! 

 Quite possibly my favorite Christmas ornaments

 From my hubby. He spoils me & I love him for it

Camera strap cover from my sissy

Camera bag from my in-laws. 

My parents got us some Corning-ware {which is quite an obsession of mine}

and Target and Menards gift cards.  My adorable brother {who's 9} bought me a tasty Peppermint Snow candle. That little boy is adorable. Purchasing gifts for all of us made his day. He brought us all our gifts and jumped with joy as we opened them. He melts my heart. My in-laws also got me tons of Bath & Body goodies & gift cards. My sister & brother in law got us some new Packer gear :) And that monogrammed necklace above? From my hubby's grandma. There where of course other gifts but most importantly we had a blessed holiday with family and friends. And that is what I'm really grateful for. 

Sunday was spent then at work. Nursing my patient's back to health. 

Sunday night was spent making homemade pizza and margaritas celebrating Christmas Day and the one year anniversary of our engagement. Christmas Day 2011 was a big day for us as it was the day hubs got down on one knee and asked me one very important question. Christmas Day 2012 was special celebrating being married and all the wonderful things that happened in 2012. 

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful New Years Eve and that 2013 brings you many wonderful blessings. I think it's going to be a pretty great year for us all ;)

2012 Happins'

It's getting to be the end of 2012 and I can not believe how quickly this year went! Absolutely insane! Overall 2012 was a HUGE year for the Mr. and I! 

I'm here today with a little recap of the year. 
And, be prepared to be photo overloaded my friends! 

January

We started the year off with a bang! Newly engaged {12.25.11} 

and loving life! Wedding planning began and we had the venue, violinist, wedding color, and date picked within about two weeks of being engaged! 

 We rang in the New Year with two of our closest friends (who had also recently gotten engaged...just one day before us) and drank FAR too many drinks 
which was highly evident by my photo taking abilities. For example: 

We asked our wedding party to join in on our special day. 

 I also spent a lot of time playing with my Christmas gift! 
A Canon Rebel t3i!

 

February

 Valentine's Day Week! Steve surprised me with treats, flowers and did nice things for me for a solid week! When it came time for the actual love day we celebrated with steak, alfredo, beer and margaritas! 

This month was really exciting too because my mom and I headed to check out wedding dresses and I bought my wedding dress!

 March

 Booked our photographer! 
Met with our wedding officiant and booked!  
Enjoyed plenty of date nights complete with potato skins and margaritas! 

Celebrated Elsa's first birthday! {She was also the flower girl in our wedding!}

And we officially booked our honeymoon in Riveria Maya, Mexico! 

April

Spoiled myself with some new lovelies. Coach mail>bills any day!

Did some landscaping

 Had our engagement photos taken! A day to remember! 

 And we had a mini photo shoot of our own while waiting for the photographer! 

May

The wedding invitation work began! (And took forever!)

June

Steve and I officially celebrated being together for FOUR years! It wasn't much of a celebration as we both worked and didn't do a darn thing. Ha! 
We cooked out a lot and enjoyed checking the mail box for wedding RSVP's!

 We headed to my parents house for bonfires with my parents, 
siblings and nephews. 

We BBQ'd with friends and their families multiple times

July
 We attended a wedding for one of my coworkers, Carrie

 My bridal shower! One of the best times ever! It was wonderful to be surrounded with so much love and many well wishes! My bridesmaids and personal attendant did a FABULOUS job of planning it and nailed the look I had envisioned! 

August

Bachelorette Time! My bachelorette party was a blast! I loved getting to hang out with all my girlies! Especially some I hadn't see in awhile! I also got to officially meet my first blogger pal, Whitney! She joined in on some of the bachelorette fun! 

  September

 We bought my dream vehicle, a Ford Edge! Love that lil' baby! 

  Wedding month! Best time of my life! Steve and I where hitched {09.15.12}

Then spent our first week as newlyweds in the Mexican sand and sun! 

October

Steve celebrated his 28th birthday! 
We cheered on our nephew, Kyler in a flag football match

November

I turned the big ole 24!  
Hubs took me on a weekend getaway 

 Went bowling with my siblings

 December

 We celebrated Andrea's 30th birthday with drinks and jamming to a live show of a local band, Road Trip

 We celebrated Christmas with our families! 

This was our fifth Christmas together but our first as married so that made 
it even better! 

 2012, You have been incredibly good to us and have left us feeling overly blessed and happy. I am very much looking forward to the excitement and new happenings of 2013 :)