Merry Christmas!

We've had a busy, but exciting weekend. Jason and I both had off Thursday-Saturday, which we truly enjoyed, but it went WAY too fast. Thursday we packed up and headed up to Tulsa to just get away for a day. We stopped at Utica Square for some lunch and shopping, checked in at the Hard Rock then left to meet Sarah and Grant for dinner at Sonoma Wine Bar and Bistro. It was so fun catching up on lost time and definitely felt like we hadn't skipped a beat. I really wish we lived closer to each other, but having a lot of friends in Tulsa gives me a reason to go visit there more often. We decided for our 30th birthday's in 2012 we need to take a trip to Hawaii. Hopefully we might just get to do that! That will also make it 18 years that Sarah and I have been friends and I'm so thankful for her friendship.  On our way home Christmas Eve we stopped in Sapulpa to visit Zak and Elizabeth and their precious son, Beau. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet and he was so adorable. I think he liked Jason more than me because he kept turning his head to stare back at him.

We finally made it back to the city in time to run a couple of errands, bake some potatoes and head to Christmas Eve with my dad's family. We usually play poker and have a crazy game of buying gifts afterwards, but this year we were a little more low key and just played dirty santa. It's always fun to get together and see each other and this year we were able to talk about how fun the wedding was and also congratulate my cousin Ryan and his new fiance, Samantha. They are tentatively planning on getting married in 2012, but my family was trying to convince them to move it up. Here are a few pics from the evening...

 Lyzi showing us a glass rose

 Us

 Papa and Derick

 Lauren, Chuck and my Grandpa Erby

Sarah and Austin

Christmas was a bit more hectic this year as we had more places to go and still a few more that will take place this week. Christmas morning Jason and I opened gifts together. Our big gift was our new Canon Rebel, but we each got each other a couple little things. He bought me a sling camera bag which I wanted, Our 1st Christmas ornament and an OSU hat. I got him a golf shirt and a fleece jacket from Eddie Bauer. We then headed to my aunt and uncles for Christmas Brunch. The food was yummy, company was great and gifts were not to shabby either.

 Uncle Kent

 Dee showing off her new Pandora bracelet from her boys, Katie and Racee

 Oh the kids love my dad...Lyzi, Cooper, Papa and Derick

 Just adorable

My new hat and Racee's new head band from me and Jason

After brunch, it was back to our house for Christmas with my parents, Austin, Franni and the kids. Santa was very good to us this year. Each couple got 2 tickets on Southwest to go wherever our hearts desire. The fam is going to Florida in June, so Austin and Franni already had their tickets planned out and hopefully Jason and I will be able to work it out to be there too. I just love the Florida panhandle and it's been so long since I've been up there. I'd love to go with Jason and everyone, so we'll just have to see how my vacation days work out since we are going on a 12 day Mediterranean cruise in October with the DeVoe clan (Jason's mom's family). I also received 3 more place settings of my china which was a big surprise and Jason got some golfing gear, gift cards, a watch and a dog leash. I guess we are one step closer to getting a dog. We found a couple that we are interested in, but haven't heard back from the organization yet, so until then we'll keep our eyes out for the perfect Daisy or Booger or Scooter!

The evening ended with Christmas at my in-law's with John, Melissa, Hannah and Laura. For some reason we neglected to get the camera out, so I don't have any pictures to show off, but we had a good time spending a little time together by the fire and watching the girls play with their new toys.

It was a great 1st Christmas with my husband and time to reflect on the most important gift of all, Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful that God cares enough about us to send his one and only Son to earth to be a final sacrifice for us. It's so easy to get caught up in the craziness of gifts and parties and festivities and forget the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus and I hope all of you have a safe and Happy New Year!! We are believing for great things in 2011!!