Christmas time for 2013 was a blast. It was Jake and I's first Christmas together and we couldn't have been more excited to have that time. I LOVE Christmas time, and Jake was a BIG sport to put up with my giddiness for decorating and movie watching, treats, and Holiday music. We had a blast spending nights cuddled up on the couch with hot chocolate and watching our favorite Christmas movies. One of our favorite traditions we started this year was to continue our childhood tradition of Chocolate Advent Calendars. We were so excited each night to eat our little chocolates together. Our little home was so fun to decorate. Jake's Grandma and Grandad event sent us a beautiful new little glass nativity set, which we loved adding to my collection of decorations.
We were able to attend my work's Christmas party and had a very fun and eventful time there. We had some comical missionary experiences that night, explaining to some funny tipsy people that we don't drink...or swear...or gamble :) We had a blast celebrating in such a 'grown-up' setting, and everyone at my new job was so gracious and nice. We felt so welcomed, such a blessing!
We were able to help set up Christmas at my parents house as well, which was so fun for me, since it has been 9 years since the last time I got to help set it all up there. After Jake did amazing on his final, woot woot! we drove down to Livermore to spend the Christmas week with my family. It was the first time that we'd been together for Christmas in years, and the last one that we'll all be together for a while, because Jordan, our amazing brother, will be leaving on his mission on February 5th for 2 years. It meant the world to us to be able to be there. Thankfully our work schedules allowed us to be able to stay for a whole week and half! Despite getting the stomach flu and the hot water heater going out, we had SUCH a great time there. It felt like Jake had been there so many Christmas's before. It was so neat to be able to see, yet again, how he fits so perfectly with our family. My heart was so happy to be able to be around my parents, siblings, and of course, my ADORABLE nephews and niece. My heart aches when I am not around them, so it was great to get an "auntie-fill" that week. I'll have to post some pics of them on here soon - although half of my readers of this blog are my sisters and mother :) but...there you go. Family documentation, right?! haha
One of the biggest highlights of the week was being able to go through the temple with Jordan to receive his endowments. What a blessing to be able to finally be in the temple with all of my family, it meant the world. The Spirit was so strong, being able to see that we all made it to the temple...and that we had not only just us 4 made it, but that my sisters and I had our husbands there as well. Our family is growing! It's so fun to see...kinda of surreal that we'll only get exponentially larger over the years. But I know that we're all excited for it. (see pic above)
So...recap...Christmas this year was wonderful...So many tender mercies and fun memories. And to spend it with my eternal sweetheart, Jake, was so special, and something that I'll never forget. So grateful that we have so many more together to celebrate. I'm excited for next year's Christmas holiday with the Evans clan in Vegas! But most of all, this Christmas was a wonderful time to remember the Savior...and to be once again, humbled by his birth and the events of that beautiful night. How grateful I am for His example, for the example of both Mary, and Joseph - so submissive, trustworthy and faithful to Heavenly Father. And to the Savior himself, to come into this world to save us all. I'm learning more and more of why I need him...He saves me each and every day. How grateful I am to know that He is there, to make up for the rest, each day...And that takes a love that is incomprehensible to do that.
I'll post more about New Years and our new year goals....But for now, here are some pics of our cute little decorated apartment. :)
Our new nativity set from Grandma and Granddad - love it!
Your house is so cute. I love that you decorate. I was inspired by one of your first posts with pictures of your apartment, but then I found out we are moving in May or sooner and I was like forget it. You've got great taste and skill!
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