^ grainy but oh so full of love!
Happy 2016 friends!
I hope you all had the loveliest + merriest holiday!
It’s been slow on #HBXO as I wanted to be as present as possible with my little family. It was nice to take a break but I am thrilled to be back + I am full of fun and creative new ideas for the blog! More on that later!
So.
I’ve always been such a big fan of Christmas and I have had my share of amazing ones but this Christmas takes the cake. Sure, George wasn’t wildly excited about what Santa brought him (hollaaaa Finding Nemo Exersaucer!) but he enjoyed the crinkle of the wrapping paper + the texture of the tissue paper (which he then started to chew/drool on…which resulted in a green mouth + hands, yikes!) and the twinkling lights of our beautiful Christmas tree. It was so magical to have him here with us. What was my life before George Bear?
We stayed in Toronto for Christmas this year (and we actually were able to put up Christmas lights!! yay new house!) and I thoroughly enjoy not having to travel during this busy time of year but I am always sad to be away from my family, especially over the holidays. I so wish I could just pop over to Mom’s or my sister’s place whenever I feel like it (and eat all my sister’s baking + cuddle Mom’s doggies). ANYWAY.
Christmas Eve was the very best. Eves of holidays are so freaking exciting. There’s nothing quite like it. GBB went to bed early and hubs + I enjoyed a homemade tourtiere pie (our new family tradition which makes me so happy because hello, french canadian life) and a glass of delicious red wine. We started National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and hubs fell asleep on the couch + then we joined George in bed at 10pm. Oh parenthood, ha.
Thank goodness for technology because FaceTiming my fam jam on Christmas morning was so lovely and fun! We watched Aria open her gifts + it was so nice to see my Mom love her gift too. Seeing the faces of my loved ones just made the day soooooo great.
Hubs, bubs, and I spent Christmas morning lounging, napping, eating, and finishing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. We went over to my in-laws for Christmas dinner and it was wonderful. I was completely spoiled by my husband and George (as per usual) and hubs + I wholeheartedly agree that GBB was and is the greatest gift we’ve ever received. Like, for real you guys. He’s SO COOL.
Boxing Day was a chill day with a Godfather marathon and my friend Ali visiting. And yes, we finally started the Christmas puzzle (which I haven’t made any progress on since she left, sorry Big A!) and we enjoyed a big plate of spaghetti like the Corleones would ;)
The week after Christmas is always a busy one and I truly never know what day it is! Ha! We hosted a dinner party + enjoyed the company of our best friends, binge-watched Making a Murderer on Netflix (if you haven’t indulged, stop reading this and watch!), and I ate my body weight in chocolates, clementines, and cookies. I discovered how much of an insane cookie monster I really really am this holiday season. Eee!
New Year’s Eve was spent celebrating at our friend Alexandra (aka Nanny Al)’s condo downtown and GBB did brilliantly. He was sleeping at the ball drop but immediately got woken up when mommy and daddy gave him midnight kisses! I spent the last hours of 2015 with my dearest friends and enjoyed girl chats, baby snuggles, and cranberry sodas. There was so much love and laughter surrounding me + my heart is so very full. I know, some of you may be eye rolling, but it is very very true.
I’m sad that the holidays are over but excited + inspired for the new year!
I will be sharing a round-up of my favourite moments/memories of 2015 + my goals for 2016 soon!
XO