Favorite Day of the Year

If Jas and I were ever on any sort of Newlywed couple trivia TV show there is one question I know we would nail.  "What is your wife's favorite day of the year?"  DING DING no hesitation:  The day after Thanksgiving.  AND...even now that certain things have changed in our life (like getting married, having Jonah,etc.) I'm sure I can choose quite a few "favorite" days now (Mother's day was pretty dang awesome this year) I'd still answer in agreement as my original fav. day of the year.  There is something about getting into the Christmas spirit starting with the drive back to T-town listening and singing to our favorite Christmas tunes.  Pretty sure we may have scared Jeez this year with our "Christmas canon rock" duet :)  Jonah, I hope you grow up knowing how important it will be for you to chime in on this one.  We have even seen this performed live.  80's hair and all, but that's another story for another blog.  From picking out the perfect Christmas tree to coming home and popping open a good bottle of rose' champagne, b/c of course the bubbly needs to be in Christmas spirit as well, to opening up every single sentimental ornament we've ever given and received, to finally sitting down at the end of the night cuddled up to watch "Love Actually" this day is just perfect to me. In so many ways.  Maybe it is because my mom was the worlds greatest ornament giver for starters.  She instilled an ornament tradition that I didn't know how Jas was going to live up to but he has surpassed.  Every year she would give me, my brother, and dad, all an ornament that was something of significance that happened over the past year.  I don't know how she did it but it was always perfect.  I started this same tradition with Jas when we got married, and even though I know it sort of stresses him out inside to live up to this perfect tradition, he has nailed every year.  I even have an ornament of the electronic device that was implanted in my body (insert any and all bladder humor remarks) b/c anyone who knows me/us, knows this was more than the biggest life changing event of that particular year.  It's also a good feeling when your best friends give you ornaments from even places they have been b/c they know how much ornaments mean to you.....I do try and buy an ornament from any city/country we visit as well.  It's such a good souvenir to keep the memories of that visit alive.  So Jonah, and to Jonah's future wife, if you ever, that means if something happens to me b/c I don't think I'll let these ornaments go otherwise, gain possession of these, please know how special each and every one of them are, just as I do when I hang any of my grandmother's ornaments on our tree.  So yes, I will still go ahead and say the day after Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year, and favorite season at that.  Right now as I am typing this I am sitting in my happy place.  The room with the beautiful lighted tree, glass of wine next to me, and cheesy Sound of Music live playing in the background.  Side note: The REAL Sound of Music is a classic.....don't ever let any other version interrupt the truth on that one.  I will post more pics of decor later but tree shopping last year and this year, and yes, I wore the same outfit on purpose, b/c I'm a dork like that.  And Jonah is in PJ's :)
 

Overall photo shoot

I should be posting everyone's pic from Jason's family that have ever taken a pic in these overalls but I don't have them.  I need to scan the one of Jason in them, but let's just say these overalls go way back in the fam.  Over 40 years that is.  How special it was to see Jonah in these now and Kelli did a wonderful job of getting some good pics.  Just goes to show that overalls have always and will always be in style :)

I wouldn't have dressed like this had I known we were having a photo shoot....Having said that, I love this honest moment Kelli caught of us.  True love OLL round'

Thankful for Thanksgiving

There is just something about traditions, especially ones that involve family, that just warm your heart and make it smile.  Thanksgiving is one that we have always spent in North AL since before we were even married.  It's relaxing, cozy and full of food and love.  I think this year Allie & Grayson really enjoyed having a cousin that could finally interact unlike last year.  Check out these flashbacks.  WHAT a difference a year makes.....I know I am constantly saying this on this blog, but it is so true.  I can't imagine each year of Jonah's life to think it'll be such a change as it has been the first year.  So for these pics and this family, I am thankful.  There is so much in life that I am blessed with but these two people may take the turkey on this: