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December 26.

So, this is how our morning started on the 26th (It makes me wonder if Daijo is getting too comfortable in hotels...):

Anyhow, after we got everything packed up at the hotel, we went over to a community center to meet up with  Brian's extended family from his mom's side.  This is the first year that they met at someplace other than his grandmother's house, but due to a recent surgery, she just couldn't host everyone at her place.  I just nodded at first when they told me this, but then the scope of what that meant hit home when I saw what a huge get-together this actually was.  There were 40 people at this Christmas Party.  The youngest had just turned one and the oldest is over 90.  I can't comprehend how this woman has been capable of entertaining that many people in her home to this point!

Here is Brian's grandmother: very observant, very sweet and the obvious matriarch of the family:

There are some pretty serious traditions with this side of his family.  He had told me about them, but it was really neat to see everything in action.  

First, everyone gathers around as the youngest of the children read (or get read to) a version of the bible Christmas Story.  Here is Brian's mom with Clarie, Emma, his cousin's sons and his grandmother reading that story.

Then, beginning with the youngest child, everyone comes up to the table, lights a candle, reads a blessing off of a list that Brian's Grandmother has prepared and places the candle in a birthday cake to Jesus. I took tons of pictures of everyone lighting their candles, but this one was one of my favorites...

No one is excluded from this.  If you come to the celebration, then you're going to be a part of the Jesus birthday bash.  

After everyone has had their turn, we all sing Happy Birthday, say the Our Father and the Hail Mary and all the little kids blow out the candles.  It's quite impressive.

We spent the rest of our time there just enjoying the company of his family, well, and taking pictures of Claire and Brielle.  I mean, really, how can I not taking pictures of babies in Cub Food boxes?

We then celebrated the twins' birthdays by watching them cover themselves in cupcakes...

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December 25th.

We had a relaxing Christmas morning and then drove a little south of Minneapolis so that we could do the Christmas traditions with Brian's extended family on the 26th.  The hotel we stayed in had a pool.

Emma was pleased :)

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December 24.

Christmas Eve with Brian's family was delightful.  I don't even want to share how many pictures I took, because it's a little embarrassing. Honestly, though, what are you supposed to do when there are three adorable nieces running around?

Here are a few of my favorites:

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December 23rd.

Okay, so it doesn't look like much in these shots (and I know that the white balance is all off), but check it out:

This is the venue we're chosen for our wedding :).  I was getting out the camera to take some good shots, but Brian didn't want me to get all "artsy" on the place.  He said we only needed a few shots for layout purposes, so he grabbed the camera and went to town.  The second shot is of me, Brian's mom and his sister who were so wonderful to join us when we toured the place.  Their help and support has been so phenomenal.  Who would have thought that planning a wedding would be so overwhelming to me?

Anyhow, I know the space doesn't look like anything special, but we were sold the second we walked in.  It's going to be perfect, I just know it.  (and if it isn't perfect, I'm sure that its not-so-perfectness will make us all laugh nonstop anyhow when the day comes)

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December 22.

I didn't get the big girl camera out at all on the 22nd.  Brian and I spent all of this day (and much of the 21st) enroute to Minnesota to spend the holiday with his family.

Most of my drive was spent looking at views like this:

Though, I did get the sunrise shift, so I got to see a view like this:

And watching Venn try and snuggle as close to Brian as he possibly could while still technically staying in the back seat made for some very amusing moments.

178:365

Okay -So I need to do away with the whole "date at the top of this" thing.  It's just too difficult and funky looking.  What I've proven is that I don't have the ability to update the blog daily, though most days I am able to get the picture done.  So, I figure I'll at least keep with this until I've got 365 days worth of thankfulness, no matter when I'm actually able to post them :).  And this is post #178.

December 20

This is apparently how Venn celebrates Christmas...by throwing himself on his back on the ottoman that he isn't allowed to be on and looking utterly adorable (even by Blackberry standards).

Come to think of it, that's kind of how Venn celebrates most things.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

How does Costco always know exactly what I need?  I don't understand that.  We've been looking everywhere for the perfect travel mats for the pups.  We wanted something small (but big enough for our guys when they're full grown), sturdy (so we can use it indoors or out) and packable.

The mega-store from heaven just started carrying these.  They're so perfect...at least they seem like they are right now.  We'll find out after we really test drive them this week while we're on the road.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

I had a chance to go to a party last night at our friends - Ian and Chris's house.  I didn't really feel too hot, but it was important to me that I make it over there.  On top of being the reason that Brian and I ever met in the first place, these guys have become really wonderful friends to us.  To explain how good they are to us, let me show you this:

This was our housewarming/engagement gift from them.  They loved the fire that we kept burning all day on Thanksgiving, so they thought this was a perfect "housewarming" present.  They're going to literally warm our house.  They're having a cord of firewood delivered to our home at the first of the year.  

Wow.

What wonderful guys.  We're so lucky to have such great friends.

Friday, December 17, 2010

The sun came out this morning!!!!  Don't get me wrong, I love Seattle. I love the weather here, but occasionally, the grey skies even get to the best of us.  Here's a shot of the sun peaking through the trees in the backyard...

I think the boys were just as happy about the sun as I was.  They had a blast running around like lunatic puppies and finding mischief.  

Here is how a typical double-doodle trouble gets started in our lives:

Daijo finds a stick.

Venn notices said stick.

Craziness ensues.

And craziness continues.  (You'll have to excuse the bluriness.  I thought about not posting them, but honestly, the blurs make me laugh even harder)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

I've started a new project for the wedding.  It involves me gathering brooches.  Lots of them.  I'm foreseeing a great deal of garage sales in my future....

For now, I'm trying to bargain hunt online.  My first batch showed up today, and I'm really excited about how pretty they are.  I think this is going to be really fun!

Woo hoo!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Because it made me smile...

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

So, I have a lot of Christmas ornaments.  I'm definitely that girl, and I'm okay with that.  It's kind of my thing.  There are a few though, that just make me especially happy.  Once they're up, they just round out the whole "decorating process" for me.
I don't know why, but this little santa tops my list.

He doesn't have any sentimental value.  I'm not sure what it is - his jalepeno cowboy hat or his candy cane gun, but I love this little santa dude.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Although my parents have a massive nativity scene that I was obsessed with rearranging as a child, I never thought I would have one in my home during the holiday season.
Then I saw this one.
There is just something about it, about the way Mary cradles the baby so sweetly...it's just...honest.  I believe the scene.
So, for several years now, my Christmas decorations have involved a nativity scene.
And I love it.
(and I still rearrange it nearly every time I walk by)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Our friends are too kind...

We didn't expect gifts.  Really.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

In our new kitchen, we have cabinets with glass doors, glass shelves and built in lighting.  It's the silliest thing, but I love it.  This house just feels so "pulled together"...like it was designed to be a homey little gathering place (with perfect accent lighting).

We had our first party in the house tonight - a housewarming/engagement/holiday party.  It was a wonderful time, full of really beautiful people that just made me happy that we now have the opportunity to open our home to our friends so we can enjoy their company here.

Feels good.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Oh No!  That crazy lady with the camera is back!!!

I got to spend some time with Melisa and this beautiful little guy again today.  Holy cuteness, Batman!

Guess who discovered his hands?

Yep, hands are cool.

And still all smiles and heart-melting adorable-ness...

You wanna know the coolest thing about today?  I realized that in a couple of weeks, we get to see Brian's nieces (who I now get to claim as my nieces - Yay!) and I get to totally drive all of them crazy with my camera.  That is so going to rock.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

We're working hard to get in the Christmas Spirit around here...

Friday, December 3, 2010

I have a story to share with you.

I'm not gonna lie about it, I'm pretty excited to be getting married to my dream guy.  Planning and preparations have begun.  Today, I'm feeling pretty victorious.  I'm not sure why, but I was dreading the wedding dress shopping experience.  I've been trying to keep my mind open to new and different ways to save money on that part especially.    It's a long and boring story, but cruising around online, I found a dress that I loved.  Cruising a little more online and I found it for a third of the price.  Throwing caution to the wind, I purchased a wedding dress online from a retailer in Illinois that I had never seen in person and certainly never tried on.  Oh my.

It showed up today.  And it's perfect.  Perfect as in: I really wouldn't even need to get it altered if I was getting married next week.  It's beautiful, it fits and it's even long enough.  I don't have to go wedding dress shopping!!!

And here is the box that held this ray of sunshine today:

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Found this at Central Market this weekend:

It's my perfect fall treat!

Monday, November 29, 2010

I'm not gonna sugar-coat this.  Even with all the amazing ways that my life is blessed right now, I occasionally still have really nasty days.

Today was one of them.

So, here's to the fact that I try to keep wine in the house.  If I want to relax with my favorite guys and a glass of vino, I can.