Christmas 2011

This Christmas may have been one of the best ever.  We were so lucky to be able to spend the weekend before Christmas with Devin's family and four and a half days with my family.  It doesn't make for a very pleasant transition back to work though.  My only complaint is that the time with our families seemed to go by so quickly this year.  I feel like I did an awesome job savoring every moment and gladly traded out sleep for time with family.  But, now I'm feeling a little sleep deprived on a super grey, slow day back in the office.  So, I'm taking some time to relive the holidays.  I didn't even capture a single photo with the Stephens side last weekend.  But, I was able to get quite a few from the McCollum time.

We arrived in Parkersburg, WV on Wednesday the 21st.  We spent that evening and the next one with my Dad's brother and his wife, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Melanie.  Melanie brought us homemade lasagna the first night, and I made nacholadas for my family the next night.  The were around for our annual Bingo playoff as well.  We posed for a picture with them.

Then, with extra people around to hold the camera, we actually managed to get the annual Christmas shot with my parents in the picture, too!

On Friday evening, we had homemade pizza for dinner.  This was part of my sister's and my gift to the family as a whole.  After so much eating, we all went for a walk in the local park that had been decorated for Christmas.  We did the mile loop and took quite a few pictures.  My sisters and I joined in with some carolers.

Tanner and I narrowly escaped being eaten.

Devin and I helped this poor elf carry his candy cane.

And, we found a place to warm up for a while.

Towards the end, I was able to catch a ride.

When we got back to the front, my parents decided they wanted a photo with all of the kids by the sign.  However, this was also at the entrance and exit point for the cars that were driving the loop instead of walking.  We chose to burst out singing spontaneous Christmas carols and waving to appear less suspicious.  Then, Mom's camera stopped working.  We actually made it through a couple songs and had people waving back and thanking us.  It was a hilarious moment that may have confused a few in our group.

On Christmas Eve, Devin and I made a traditional German dinner of wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, knodel, kartoffelsalat, and rot kohl.  It's always a ton of fun to see how much people enjoy this.  We also got pictures in our Christmas costumes per tradition.  Kate has taken to wearing navy blue the past few years on mock protest claiming to be honoring the "night sky" when Jesus was born.

Kass requested a smushed face photo.

Devin also dressed up with us.

And, we got a picture with Dad.  My favorite photo with him at Christmas was taken three years ago.

Christmas morning came, and some of us were more awake than others.  I chose not to include the photo of me sitting against the wall waiting for presents.  I thought I was more awake than Devin but now doubt it after looking at the photo.

The rest of Christmas was filled with Church, games, a delicious Christmas dinner, and watching Little Nemo (not Finding Nemo) with Devin and my siblings.  I was so excited to get that movie, and we all remember it fondly from our childhoods.  I hope your Christmas was just as wonderful...and that you survive the return to real life alright!!

Haircut Advice ASAP Please!!!

Okay, so several weeks ago I made an appointment for a haircut.  I'm past due for one, but haven't decided the direction I want to go with my hair these days.  I remembered how hard it was to get a slot booked in December (as in, it never happened for me), so I went ahead and called right after Thanksgiving.  I got the last available appointment which is tomorrow at 8:15 am.  I thought, "Great!  I have weeks to figure out what I want to do even if it's the most bizarre time of day for a hair cut ever."  It hasn't worked like that, though.  I've just put off figuring it out.  

So, I need your help friends!  I have three "ideas" of cuts I've liked in the past, and they are all pretty different (at least for me).  Which way should I go?  Please advise me!!

Option # 1 - Short and Trim

This haircut debuted right after running the half marathon this past March.  I'd let my hair really grow out because it was just easier to deal with while running.  I loved this change, and it was super fun for our cruise too!

Option #2 - Medium and Layered

I've worn my hair like this a lot.  It's probably the most common variation I've done with my hair for the past decade.  But, it generally works for me.  I really like it if I take the time to make the ends flip a little.  And, my hair is pretty much the perfect length to just have more layers cut into it.  Last Christmas, I had just planned on having it trimmed up, but it still looked alright without the trim...even if the pics are bad of my face.

Option #3 - Long and Loose (Bangs optional)

I was very much owning this style when Devin and I were dating and engaged.  I wore it through the wedding and honeymoon and then got it cut off just a couple weeks later.  It is by far THE EASIEST hairstyle to manage.  And, I miss it.  It will mean I have to commit to just a trim tomorrow, though, to hopefully grow my hair out over the next few months back to this style.  It would be great to have something this easy when the baby comes, though.  If I choose this one, though, do I go with or without bangs?  If yes to the bangs, should they be short like the first picture, or longer like the second one?  Or, can I pair bangs with one of the other cuts?

Okay, there is my long winded cry for help.  Thank you friends!

A Perfect Friday Night

Friday night we had a date night at home.  It was seriously the best night I've enjoyed in a while.  We knew the weekend would be super busy and just wanted to enjoy some time together.

When I got home from work, we both put on flannel pajama pants and spent some time with the boys.  We made homemade pizza for dinner with chocolate milk and frozen yogurt for dessert.  Then, we decorated our Christmas tree!  We had our favorite collection of Christmas music playing, and there may have been some dancing going on as well.  Unfortunately, we could not manage to get a good picture of ourselves and the tree.  

First, we got too much of us and not enough tree.

Then, the tree was more visible, but we looked funny.

So, we tried to kneel with the boys.  That obviously did not go well.

Blue thought he was in trouble because we were using our stern voice.  Moose just would not hold still.

So, I guess if you want to see our tree this year, you'll just have to come by for a visit.  Thanks to the dogs, it's in our dining room behind closed doors this year, but I still love it!  And, loved the perfect date night in!