Christmas, in three steps

Jake and I visited all three sets of our parents over the days before and after Christmas. It was a lot of driving, but also a ton of fun to see all of our parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. It was most definitely a first Christmas together that we will look back on with great memories.

Stop 1: The Brooks'

Stop 2: The VanDykes (and Seevers')

Stop 3: The Striegels

Ah, home.

Here's my view for the evening. The husband and I are taking it easy tonight after four days of holiday travel. We'll be watching my new Season 2 of Big Bang Theory and eating all of those treats we've picked up this week. Christmas recap will be coming soon!

Merry Christmas!

The first time that you opened your eyes did you realize that you would be my savior? And the first breath that left your lips did you know that it would change this world forever?

And I, I celebrate the day, that you were born to die, that I could one day pray for you to save my life.

(Relient K)

Merry Christmas. :)

Christmas: day 1

Today starts our whirlwind Christmas tour of family. Before our road trip, Jake and I had our own little family Christmas at our house. It was a great start to our Christmas celebration, plus I got a record player from the husband!

My day, in pictures

Today, I...

...wrapped presents and watched Christmas movies with the husband.

  

...visited Indy CD and Vinyl on an impromptu trip to Broad Ripple.  

...ate at Ripple Bagel and Deli during said trip to Broad Ripple (you must do this SOON).

..busted out the uke for the first time in months for Christmas songs.

 ...made Christmas cookies using my new, glorious mixer. I am in love.

All of these are reasons why I wish it was Christmas all year round. I even ate dinner with mom, dad, and Miss Tessie to top it all off. Today was festive and awesome.

Speaking of festive and awesome, it's a very special two-post day on Misters and Misses! Make sure to check out husband's Christmas Music Post below.

Thursday Music Post: CHRISTMAS EDITION

Mr. Jake again here.  One thing I really like to do at Christmas time is listen to Christmas music, but something that helps me REALLY get into it is Christmas music tailored to my personal music tastes.  I'm going to share some of those with you right now.

First off, something by one of my favorite indie artists, Sufjan Stevens.  This song is called "Hey Guys!  It's Christmas Time!"

The next song is an oldie but a goody.  It's "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney!

Here's a band who doesn't get enough credit for being really really awesome.  It's Guster with "¿Donde Está Santa Claus."  I love it.

And last, but not least, here's Death Cab for Cutie with "Baby Please Come Home."  I secretly want to listen to this all year long.  It is SO GOOD!

Well, I hope that gives you something new to listen to on Christmas Day.  There is a TON of Christmas music out there for everyone.  I suggest you find what fits with you best.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Traditions

My favorite Christmas movie of all time is an oldie but a goodie: White Christmas. I make a point to watch it every year during the Christmas season. I was lucky enough to watch it with Miss Aud, who also appreciates older movies. Yes, it might have a few self-indulgent dance numbers. But there's something about breaking out into song mid-sentence that just steals my heart.

Another tradition that I have come to expect every year as an elementary Spanish teacher is the request for the #1 Spanish Christmas song of all time: Felíz Navidad. Don't get me wrong, I like this song, and I see its importance as being catchy enough for kids to remember, but listening to it seven times a day for weeks on end gets a little much. I somehow got away with only playing it a few times this year. Just don't tell my students, they may revolt and demand it if they knew my evil plan...

(Christmas cards from my students, now en route to kids in Honduras)