my favorite month

Of course we started December off with a day at the beach. We brought a little picnic but out trip didn't last long because we started to get cold! Can you believe it?! "Winter" is finally here!

We visited out favorite little tree lot and picked up our second ever tree! Last year's tree was a stout but this year baby tree 2.0 is a slender little Noble and we just love it. We used the few decorations I made from last year and Sam made a cute-ish pipe cleaner star for the top. I guess that's what I get for putting Sam on star duty lol.

This month I also helped plan our Christmas church party with these ladies. It was a Feliz Navidad theme and so many people came, the decorations were the cutest, the Photo Booth was a hit and of course the party was a blast! 

My friend Cortney and I went to the San Diego Bay Boat Light Parade while our husbands slaved away studying for finals. Poor guys. It sure was an adventure getting there but you can't go wrong crowds of crazy people and Christmas boats! 

And finally, Sam and I carried on our tradition of a mini Christmas right after finals ended. It's just so fun as newlyweds to have our own little Christmas before we leave out of town to be with family. 

"Christmas Eve" we cleaned the house, packed, watched a movie, and got all our presents wrapped. And by all, I mean our 4 presents total haha. Student loans do that to you...

White Christmas here we come! 

thanksgiving in modesto

There's just something about coming home to these colorful, tree-lined streets. Modesto, you're not half bad. And seeing these cute faces is an added bonus!

Thanksgiving was a total party! 50 of us gathered at Grandma Lola's for the feast of all feasts. That woman is a champ! I don't know how she does it all, but I love her to pieces. 

We got to play with our Asian babies, see cousins and visit for hours with the old Modesto crew. 

Friday Samuel did chores while us girls decorated for Christmas. Is he a keeper or what?

Dad took us ice skating at the very first year of Modesto On Ice and he showed us all what's up. He's pro at skating backward. The rest of us mostly stuck to the middle of the rink singing and dancing to JBiebs. 

 We both stuffed our faces and ate wayyy too much lactose. Still recouping from that mistake #yikes. But it was so nice to relax and not worry about school or work + seeing my faves is always a good time.