Christmas!!

Christmas was AWESOME this year. Maybe the best yet? I haven't had to work - my last day working in 2012 was the Friday before Christmas. I've been doing some major cleaning of my apartment (so much to clean when you neglect cleaning for SOOOOO long!), catching up on Gossip Girl (2 episodes left!), running so I'm not behind in my half marathon training and had a short but nice visit with my family, and got to see Les Miserables Christmas day!

I didn't feel like decorating much this year (see comment about dirty apartment above) so I was so happy and touched when some amazing friends made me this Christmas tree! It immediately went on my mantel and was my one decoration for the holiday. I love it! Thanks Chana and Tiffany!



The week before Christmas I got to do some baking - these sugar cookies are the best ever - thanks Chana for sharing the recipe!



The Saturday before Christmas, I was at Barnes and Noble, wrapping presents for donations - and I'm so glad I did! One, because it gave me some much needed wrapping practice, but also because I found this book, which Josh gave to my niece for Christmas (she is OBSESSED with Pandas). And its a great book! Trixie, I think you might like it too :)



For Christmas, Josh got me some running gear, including an hard core sports bra - the tag makes me laugh - 83% less bounce! And I tried it out and its great!



And one of Josh's presents was a Domo bobblehead... such a funny dude.



On Christmas Eve, we walked over to the mall to enjoy the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, because I HAD to have a slice of their peppermint bark cheesecake... I just had to try it. And it was so good!!



Christmas day, we slept late, and I made a full Christmas dinner! And it turned out ok!



After dinner, I went to see Les Miserables with my friend Michelle (thanks for going with me Michelle!!) and it was great! After the movie (at 11 at night!) Josh had the crazy idea that we should drive to PA - now. Yikes. We did, getting in at 4:30 that morning (I was sure I was going to die!) and its a good thing since VA got some snow Wednesday morning which would have delayed our trip.

We had a great time in PA - I went shopping with my mom, hung out with my dad, played with my nieces, ate an entire box of maple sugar candy, visited with my sister and bro-in-law, wore my 8-year-old-nieces snow boots (mine are missing!!!), made dinner for my grandmas - it was a great trip. The only thing that would have made it better is if we saw Danielle, James and the boys. But we are looking forward to our January trip to see them! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!