the holiday wrap-up.

The Holiday season of 2011 was great. But to be honest. It was more stressful than anything. I think we celebrated Thanksgiving twice and Christmas five times. That's right, five. I feel like we are getting farther away from the purpose. I was exhausted. And I think I ended up feeling pretty run down after the whole ordeal. And I felt sick about the amount we had received and spent.  The older I get the more I want to simplify. Especially around the Holidays. I am going to find a way! Even if it's the last thing I do!

Ok... Totally being dramatic. But there is some seriousness to what I am saying.  

Beside the exhaustion of going to all of these crazy events, there was an overall feeling that Jay and I are blessed beyond belief.

Thanksgiving morning. We took some family photos. Millie wanted to be involved. We involved her.

We picked out our tree. It was fun.

 

We lost the battle of "Millie, get out of the tree right now!" I plan to lose every year.

Tree-decorating-pizza-making-night.

Christmas Eve. Millie is ecstatic.

Robot man. And panda girl.

This is what I wore to my family's Christmas dinner. What a lady. A gem. This is how I keep my reputation for being the 'little one' or the 'baby of the family.' Keeps people's expectations low. Just wear a panda hat. People WILL have lower expectations. I promise.

Favorite present from Christmas 2011: Pizza sent from Jayson's cousin Blaine. Not just any pizza. Chicago deep-dish pizza sent frozen and cooked in our oven. FROM Chicago. Yeah, we felt pretty cool. It was not by our own doing. So, thanks for making us feel cool Blaine.

Yesterday. {Mother's Day}

Yesterday was Mother's Day. We had a WHOLE day event, the first half was spent with Jay's family and the second half was spent with my family. Overall, it was a very relaxed day with WAY too much good food. I am still full.  Just wanted to share some of the (somewhat silly) pics from yesterday. Enjoy.

 The first half of the day looked alot like this. Words like calm/relaxed come to mind.

The second half of the day looked like this. Words like silly and somewhat weird come to mind. Surprisingly, my dad was the one to instigate all of the picture taking, even though he hates pictures. Also, this was the first time I have seen recent family photos since my wedding. I feel like my family is looking kinda weird theses days, myself included. This isn't meant to be rude. I just feel like we look different than what my memory tells me we should look like. That statement means nothing, just so you know. You can ignore my previous comments.

See that one in the bottom middle? Doesn't that picture just scream, "I want to be a grandma." haha. You wish, Mom.