Its the most wonderful time of the year!!

I LOVE this time of year. I'm just full of all kind of joy!!! I mean, who wouldn't be? The closer to Christmas, the happier I get:)

This time of year is big deal for Chase and I. I the past 3 weeks we've celebrated my birthday, Thanksgiving and Chase's birthday, all on top of shopping, decorating, studying, writing lesson plans, going to Bible studies and spending our last few days with a couple of friends that are moving. Its just been one thing after another, but its what life is all about- living everyday to the fullest.

Yesterday was Chase's birthday- the big 23!!!! Happy Birthday babe! Thats right 23, not 24 like his better half:) So young....
Being the loving wife I am, I woke up and made him homemade blueberry pancakes- his were perfect, mine a disaster. Stupid burner got too hot! Then I made snickerdoodles- his favorite. Might I just add, that he said they were good, if not better than his moms!!! I was so excited because Kelly seriously makes the best cookies ever. I guess it was just beginner's luck!! We spent the day watching Transformers, which might be one of the most entertaining/enjoyable movies. We then went out to dinner with some friends and visited this way cute neighborhood in Lubbock that decorates their houses for Christmas. It was like walking down a street in South Carolina- colonial, southern homes with wrap-around porches and everything! Beautiful. They had fake snow that I included in some pictures below- not near as cool as real snow, but hopefully we have the real thing this coming Tuesday (I'm crossing my fingers for no school:)) After we left colonial town, we went back to our friend's house and watched my beloved sooners conquer another team. Boomer Sooner!!!!
Such a fun day!!!

Speaking of a fun day, when we were home for Thanksgiving, we went to the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord. So fun, so cold, so overpriced. I put a few pictures below to show you how awesome it was... and how cold (notice the HUGE blue coats).
Thanksgiving was such a nice break. Bittersweet though- now that we are married, we have to split our time between our families and it really starts to take a toll on us. There's just not a lot of days to celebrate Thanksgiving- just one. At least with Christmas, we can spread it out over a week or so. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays, I just wish we could have one HUGE gathering with like 75 people- but its definately not a perfect world:)

Speaking of the holidays, we have our first Christmas tree!!!! All I wanted for my birthday was a christmas tree, so being the wonderful woman she is, mom bought me one. Thanks mom!!! And, being the wonderful sister-in-law she is, Christina gave me some ornaments she doesn't use- red a gold, just what I needed!! Thanks Tina! So, I love our tree- its a collaboration of family gifts- so symbolic. Now, if you'll notice below, there are no gifts under the tree... and there probably wont be. We had to leave all the gifts the we bought on Black Friday at our parents house since we couldn't take them on the plane. Maybe I'll just wrap empty boxes to put under our tree...

Speaking of gifts, I thought I would impress Chase with my gift (Ha!) of cooking and make Chicken and dumplings from scratch- thats right, dumplings from scratch!! Well, I was ultra impressed with how the meal looked- perfect consistency! However, I accidentally, put 1 tablespoon of salt instead of 1 teaspoon.

BIG MISTAKE!!!! Poor Chase couldn't even eat it. It really was a very depressing moment. I mean I spent like an hour and a half trying to make those stupid dumplings and they turn out perfectly, I just didn't notice the lowercase "t" for teaspoon. Who would have thought that little amount of salt would have made such a difference?? It made a disgusting difference. So to Taco Bueno we headed...

Well, thats all that's really been going on lately, we're going to Abilene this coming weekend for Mason and Casey's wedding- yay for college friends!!!! I'm so excited.

Until next time,
watch your salt content:)