Christmas In A Nutshell. Or 2.

Hi friends!

I've been totally MIA lately in the blog world. Starting next week I will be posting more regularly and will catch up on all my commenting on your awesome blogs. Promise. Christmas has come and gone in what felt like 24 hours, but we enjoyed all the time we did spend with both of our families. Both sides of our family blessed us with wonderful gifts that most of them we have already started using! Thursday night we celebrated early with my parents and enjoyed home cooked lasagna, many Brandy Alexander's, and opened gifts together. My favorite gifts received, if I had to pick, would be our new TV for our bedroom, an electric wine opener (love), and running shorts that my Dad picked out all on his own. My Dad also gave me some sentimental gifts that were my Mom's - those always mean the most.

Billy and I opted to open gifts just the two of us after my parents left on Thursday night.

This year was one of my favorite years opening gifts with Billy because he had no idea what I bought for him. Not a clue. I got him a silver D&G watch (that was a surprise!), running shoes, a couple shirts, Nike Dry fit shirt, a new tie, and some other misc. items.

Love that watch.

go me.

Billy is a wonderful gift giver. Always has been. This year he got me a personalized Longchamp bag that I had been wanting, Nike Free Run's (yay! new running shoes!), Lululemon gym bag, and a beautiful Michael Kors necklace.

But my favorite gift he gave me is something else!

Every year he gets me a new ornament that typically express what happened in our lives the past year (our wedding ornament, our first house ornament...you get the point).

This year he got me this ornament...

Explanation?

Me on the couch propping my leg up because of my knee injury.

That's what life has looked like for me these past few months and he sure did hit the nail on the head with that one.

Hysterical.

and so thoughtful.

He is a good man.

 On Friday, we headed to Cleveland to spend the long weekend with Billy's family. When we arrived, we got some really bad news about his grandpa who recently had a stroke. It turns out the doctors were wrong, and it's actually brain cancer. The worst brain cancer you can have. It was extremely depressing news to the start off the holiday weekend, but the Krysh family is always so strong {with an amazing sense of humor} and together we would get through the difficult time. The mood lightened up throughout the weekend and we had a wonderful time at his uncle's house on Christmas eve...so many laughs, hugs, and of course delicious food. Christmas morning all of us kids {me, Billy, Billy's twin sister, and his brother} waited not so patiently for his parents to get up, and then we all opened gifts together taking turns. Our favorite gifts between the 2 of us that they got us were: North Face jacket, work out clothes (VS!), camel colored purse, money (for our trip to Florida), and charms for my bracelet. Billy's favorite gift? Cavs vs. Heat tickets (10 rows up) from his brother!!! He is so excited.

I ended up making 2 Christmas wreaths for both my stepmom and Billy's mom, and I think it turned out to be one of their favorite gifts! Success. 

(top left to right: new cozy slippers and sweatpants, Billy's mom with her new wreath, Marley Lilly scarf I won in a giveaway, new purse, running gear galore!)

Ooh...and I can't forget to mention the amazing gifts I received from some of my fav girls I've met via blog land?!

Jess bought me a monogrammed pashmina from Marley Lilly in my favorite Ohio State colors and a super cute cup to match! I LOVE them.

...and guess who's coming back to visit this weekend for the 3RD TIME

for NYE?

Yup. Jess - thee Kentucky Priss

{who is still taking a minor blogging break ;)}

   

Last but not least--those beautiful items above?

My sistah alllll the way in Texas
 you know her as Steph (and BBFT)

surprised me with a beautiful glass ornament (now I'm reppin' TX here!), monogrammed Tervis Tumbler cups, and they even went as far as ICING us......

yup. they did.

Steph and BBFT put 2 Smirnoff Ices in a box (wrapped with like 5,693 bags) and cute notecards telling me to get on my knee and chug! So funny.

I was supposed to video tape it, but I failed.

Steph and BBFT get 10 pts for creativeness.
Should've known since it was coming from you two.

Love those 2 rednecks to death! Now get your asses to Ohio so we can partay and be the 4 best friends anyone could have (..we already are.)

 Thank you lovebugs.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family, too! Next up..a new year!

What was your favorite gift you received?!

 I want some good gift giving ideas for next year!!

...and if you're wondering if I got my one true love

 that I've been nonstop obsessing over for 6 mos... 

 the Canon Rebel T3i

well, you'll just have to wait

and see.