Two Months in a FLASH!

Wow. Two whole months (and a few days) have flown by since my last post! So much has happened, so here is a list to catch my faithful audience up:

I became an Aunt ("Tia Tori") to the most *beautiful* baby boy in the GALAXY! Austin Charles Hall ("Charlie) was born on October 30th, 2012 and is perfect. I am so proud to be related to this munchkin and I love his precious parents, Austin & Ale, just as much. 

November was a blur of of holidays; first we had Veterans Day off so we traveled that weekend up to Ponte Vedra to meet the aforementioned cutest baby ever, and it was such a wonderful time. Ale's whoooole family was visiting from Mexico and have I written about how amazing they are? Well, they are incredible. I always wanted a sister and now I have four: Allie, Melissa, Ale, and Arantxa. Here we all are (minus Jay-Babe but he's there in spirit), including Luis, their brother and now mi hermano!

Along came Thanksgiving; we traveled again, this time spending some time in Ormond Beach with Kyle's family and then heading to the Hall Compound in Saint A. Ormond was a wonderful time because I got to meet Cousin Mike for the first time (and spend more time with Cousins Amanda and Jen) and within roughly eight seconds it was as if Mike and I had known each other forever. We bowled, drank, hung out by the fire, and I fell asleep really early one night, but hey, a good time was had by all! I unfortunately don't have pictures from Thanksgiving but I'll make up for it with Christmas pics!

Ok, so then December rolled around and it was, of course, wonderful. December is just the most magical month ever, but it did start out a little rocky. Why you ask? (Don't you love the color change?) ...Because I caught  PNEUMONIA. For the first time since 10th grade I completely lost my voice! I was out of work for an entire week and was told that my recovery time was quick compared to others...well it didn't feel quick. You know how wonderful it sounds to lay around on the couch and nap and watch Christmas movies? Well (here's that fancy color change again!), when you're sick it's miserable. Kyle would come home from work and tell me all the fun things he did or what weird thing took place at lunch and I'd just sit there like "I dribbled Gatorade down my chin this afternoon...it was fantastic". I felt so unproductive but was too uncomfortable to do anything. I've never had pneumonia but it gave me a big appreciation for those that suffer with asthma and other chest/lung ailments. My ribs hurt from the infection in my lungs! Yuck. However, I am alll better now and was able to celebrate in Christmas style. Luckily, a week before I got sick we had put up Christmas decorations so I was able to marinade in the magic while being a sickling.

Kyle loved that we had TWO trees this year! He was able to put up and string lights on two separate trees. It was certainly magical for him. The above tree was in our formal living room. 

This bigger tree was in our "family room" and I loved laying on the couch (or on the floor with the pups) watching the fire and enjoying the lights.  Thank you dear husband for the fantastic decorating!

As the month went on we attended a few Christmas parties:

Here we are as we head out to our boss, Stacie's (and her husband's) Christmas party. 

At another wonderful Christmas party...all the ladies with their new purses!

Secret Santa gifts!

What did we get??

 My dear friend, Kate, announced her pregnancy in a very subdued and private manner:

My daddy and I want the names to either be: James for a boy or Victoria for a girl! Two solid British names.

I gave our precious pup, Clarence, kisses for his 2nd anniversary (December 9th!) with us!

"I really would prefer some food..."

The best part of December? My whole family came to celebrate with US in Lakeland! It was my first year hosting and it was so special. Jason spent the 23rd with us and then went home Christmas Eve afternoon, Mom and Daddy arrived the 23rd and left the 26th and Austin, Ale, Charlie, and Ale's mom, Alma, arrived Christmas Eve and left the 26th. 

Christmas Day morning with two amazing men!

Self timer!

These gorgeous people celebrated Christmas in style! Still going strong, my Tita and Gramp. 

This Holiday season was filled with family, love, laughter, Christmas classics ('It's A Wonderful Life, of course!) and the incredible reminder that we celebrate Christmas because of the precious birth of our Savior. As Linus says in the beloved Peanuts classic: "...and that's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown".

Kyle and I rang in the new year sitting around a fire pit with the wonderful people that we have been blessed to meet in Lakeland. We toasted each other, made s'mores, I may or may not have been teased a time or two, and we both savored the company that we were surrounded by.

Each year keeps getting better. They all have their road bumps but I am ever amazed with where life has taken us and every day I wake up with a smile, grateful to be alive.

Cheers to you and yours and may 2013 be your best year yet!