Four Christmases {Scenes From Ours!}

How to sum up Christmas?

Family Togetherness. Blessed. Happy. Cozy. Love. All of the above!

It's one of those things that is too hard and too great to put into words! This year we celebrated Christmas with my parents first (and I got to see my Mom's side!) before we left to head to Cleveland for a few days to be with Billy's family. The most special part this year for me when celebrating with my parents was watching home videos of myself as a kid. Oy vey! Billy got a big insight into how mini Katie was back in the day... ;) #crazy.

After we opened up all our gifts, my Dad had one last gift for me and it was my Mom's music/mini jewelry box. It's made by the San Francisco Music Box Company and plays the song "Edelweiss" from the Sound of Music, which was one of my Mom's favorite movies. 

 

{melt my heart...}

They also gifted us a buffet from World Market that we have been looking at getting. We are beyond excited about putting it together this weekend! We are going to make it a bar cart of sorts on the top, so stay tuned for a post once we have it all put together and looking pretty. I can't wait to style it! If you have any must have items for a bar, please send them my way! 

And no, I did not buy Moscow Mule mugs before we even received the buffet. Never. I mean, if you were wondering... ;)

Billy and I always exchange gifts just the two of us at our house with Rocky and this year Rocky got a new stocking from Pottery Barn that we loved but they didn't send us the pet size, so we are going to return it (it's even bigger than ours, ha). He was pretty excited (and had total crazy eyes) about the gifts inside though...

Husband did real good and I thought I was dreaming when I opened the box...

My first pair of Tory Burch riding boots. You know how crazy I am about boots by now...

While I didn't get any good pictures of what I got Billy (#fail), I got him two pairs of work shoes that he needed so badly, clothes from J.Crew, a new coffeemaker that he had been wanting, a travel bag, and some other various gifts! He loved them all and I think I did pretty good this year shopping for him. 

Our time spent in Cleveland felt way too short but we had an awesome time visiting with his family. Billy's Dad returned the home video favor to me and I was able to watch Billy (and his twin sister and brother) in their home videos growing up and shared MANY laughs over this!

{top: J.Crew (similar here), leather skirt (similar here)}

 {vanilla rum cola's with whipped cream on top!}


{a beautiful white Christmas...this is my favorite room at Billy's parents house}

{Billy and his brother}

 After we got back from Cleveland, we got to celebrate again with my step mom's side of the family (12 grandkids!) which was so much fun.

2013 Christmas was good to us, but I'm not going to lie...I'm looking forward to Christmas with a little one! Baby fever? Maybe. :)

What was your favorite part about Christmas?

I loved being able to spend time with all sides-my Mom's, with my parents, my stepmoms family, and both of Billy's parents side of the family! We feel so blessed getting to see everyone within such a short amount of time (especially this year....was it just me or did it feel extra short?!)

By the way...TWO more things...

1. Don't throw away or store those cardboard gift boxes just yet! I have an awesome DIY project to share with you next week that you can put one to good use. :)

2. I've listened to your requests and am finally delivering next week. Many of you have written saying you would love to hear more about my workouts / exercise routine and I thought with the new year being next week and many new goals being put in force that it would be the perfect time. about health/fitness for the new year! Anything specific you would like for me to share? Email me or leave a comment below so I can make sure I hit the good areas! :)

Happy weekend!