Santa Was Very Good To Me…

Happy Thursday everyone! Hope you’re all having a great week so far 🙂

I know some of you lucky ducks get this week off. And us? Not so much. I’ve been at work this whole week except for Monday. But to be honest with you, I actually like the calmness that this week brings – there’s less traffic on the roads, grocery stores, the gym – and that sense of “rushness” is gone. It’s a nice break from the busyness of other weeks and since the hubby is working also, I might as well be doing something productive as opposed to spending my days catching up with my dvr 😉

I’m pretty late in the game here in posting my Christmas weekend, but like they say, better late than never! I last left you off with the treats my sis and I planned to bake on Friday for our Christmas Eve party, and I have to say, they came out pretty damn good! And they were super easy to boot!

Here are our finished products…

Reindeer Cupcakes! They were a huge hit with the kiddies 🙂

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies – Absolutely Delicious.

Peppermint Bark – a hit with the adults and everyone absolutely loved them – and I think they’re far more delicious than the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark…ifIdosaysomyself 😉

Per usual, our Christmas Eve party was an absolute blast – full of family fun, love, and holiday cheer. Especially when Santa made his grand entrance…

Our annual “Girls With Santa” pic

And just for fun, here’s one from 2008…

So cute – love love my whole family so very much and I’m so blessed we get this time together every year ❤

The Lunsford/Blumbergs family 🙂

And one with my sis and her friend that I loved chatting and spending time with…especially with her adorable baby boy…

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Christmas Day was filled with more joy, love, laughter, and good times. Especially in the form of a delicious breakfast of eggs, toast, and of course, mimosas…Christmas Day isn’t complete without those! 😉

Once we filled our bellies with a delicious breakfast and little buzz from the champy, we got to (one) of the best parts of Christmas…presents!!! No pictures were taken of the event but I did snap some of my loot once I got home…let’s just say Santa was very good to me this year and I was definitely spoiled…

Looks like I’ll be getting that iPad soon…schweeet!!

Speaking of the iPad – I’ve heard through the grapevine that a new one is coming out in March so I’ll be waiting until then to purchase it. Either I’ll be getting the new one at a higher cost, or the old one at a discounted price so we’ll since what I’ll go with once it’s released and can comparison shop 🙂

And I was in serious Penguin heaven this Christmas…

Side note – not sure if some of you new readers know, but the hubby and I have a serious obsession with Penguins. It’s just one of those animals we started loving together at the beginning of our relationship…it started with Todd winning a small stuffed penguin for me at the fair and since then the rest is history and our love of Penguins grew 10-fold from there 🙂

So here’s the adorable Penguin loot I acquired and will not stop at it from ever growing…

From my wonderful friend/coworker…are those not the cutest cups??!! Along with Propel packets (which the hubby is already stealing from me!) and some Hershey Kisses in the Mason Jar (with a chalkboard lid and had my name on it – love it! )
Such a very special gift and I love it so much!

Advent Calendar from Sis and Chad – salt ‘n pepper shakers from Mom & Dad

Plate and Pez from Sis and Chad

PENGUIN SOCKS!!!! ❤

From Mom & Dad – Nick & Nora Penguin Mukluks

From Sis and Chad – Penguin Socks from Bed, Bath & Beyond

And a couple extra special Biscoff goodies from Sissy!!!

And some glorious, delicious food from the in-laws…we’re set for the whole week – love it!!

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It was an absolutely perfect weekend, filled to the brim with laughter, love, and many special moments that I will remember for a lifetime. I was certainly gifted more than enough this holiday season, but more importantly, I am truly blessed and so thankful to have such amazing friends and a very loving, wonderful family…I couldn’t be any more grateful to have the life that I have ❤

Questions:
What was your favorite part of your Christmas weekend?
Any fun plans for this New Year’s Eve??!! Todd and I are old fogies and staying in for the night – but we are going out Friday night and using that gift card to Kingfish!!! Whoo hoo! 🙂

P.S. Whatever your plans may be, I wish you a very safe and happy New Year and I’m so ready to get 2012 started with a bang and a fresh start…I’m sure you’ve guessed what my #1 resolution wish is for the New Year 😉 I’ll have a post up on that next week.

P.S.S. If you have a moment, please give a huge congrats to my lovely “faboosh” friend Shanna who just gave birth to her sweet baby boy Sawyer Clark. Born yesterday at a very healthy 8 lbs. 10 oz. – I bet her hubby is proud 😉 I’m so very happy for her and her hubby and can’t wait to meet the lil guy!!!