Happy New Year! A month late....

Yep, life has been busy. Or at least that's the best excuse for not finding the time to write on here. *adjusts halo* So where to start? Hm... Christmas with our new family was absolutely wonderful. We were able to spend all of Christmas Eve with our Ryken/Fennema side of the family. It was such a lovely time opening presents, eating Chinese food, and celebrating together. I will say it was very nice to get "couple" gifts with Justin this year. I see it as us becoming a family even more when we get a gift that is for the both of us. We also were blessed to get some stuff just for each of us though too. Which is good because Settlers of Catan wasn't on my Christmas list. ;)
Christmas morning we woke up bright and early just so Justin and I could do a few smaller gifts with each other. It was really a wonderful time. *smiles* Then we headed to church to worship the Lord as it was His day. After the fabulous service we headed over to our Sanford side of the family to spend Christmas day with them. Again, we had a lovely time exchanging gifts and celebrating together. Not to mention all the good food that Mom and the girls prepared for everyone. It was a relaxed PJ's type day which is always the best. :) Once the days festivities were over we headed home to open a few more gifts that were just for each other. It was the best Christmas Season I have ever had and I am very much looking forward to this years. :)

Here we are on Christmas day.

Since December we have had a pretty busy schedule with our first New Years party together, going to a wedding, going out on dates, ice skating, me going up to Chicago with my Mom and sisters (Ryken side) for a ladies retreat sorta thing, (which was absolutely a wonderful time and deserves a blog post of it's own) and going places as just the two of us. Now that it is February life has slowed down a little bit. But we still have almost every weekend full with something to do even though it's only the 2nd! I couldn't be happier though. :)

The weather has been crazy this year! It's been in the upper 50's almost all week and it's February! Now don't get me wrong, I am LOVING this weather. It's just sort of odd. But none the less, I have been taking every possibility to go outside and enjoy the warm weather. It has truly been delightful! The only thing I'm missing when I take long walks around the neighborhood, is my husband. But I see it as time to just talk with the Lord about whatever pops into my head. And that is what makes it wonderful. :)

This was taken yesterday. Ahhhh sunshine. *happiness*

Another picture of the beautiful sunshine. This was taken yesterday as well from our front yard.

And that's about it as far as our life goes. 2011 has been the best year for Justin and I so we cannot wait to see what this new year of 2012 has in store for us. All I know is that whatever it is, I feel like I can take on anything with Justin holding my hand. *love*

Here's us wishing you a fabulous New Year! May God bless you and keep you!

Until next time,
Adios!

Christmas Tree Decorating

Our first Christmas Tree!! *proud grin* A couple weeks ago we were finally able to get our first-ever Christmas tree. Here are a couple pictures after we brought it home. Enjoy!

Justin was so happy he got to use his handsaw to trim the bottom of the tree.

Look at that bad boy!

Now this is team work! I'm holding up the tree while taking a picture of Justin screwing it into the tree stand.

I keep telling him he is super strong and he keeps denying it. So here is living proof that he has got some huge muscles. *nods* He's holding that whole tree up off the ground with one hand.*claps* And that tree was pretty heavy!

Putting our "Our First Christmas 2011" ornament up on the tree. *smiles*

Justin's taller so he had the honors of putting the star up this year while I took pictures.

Ta-da! The finished product! Looks pretty cute if I do say so myself. *grin* Of course now it has tons of presents stuffed under it just waiting for Christmas.

Annnd here's the happy couple. *grins proudly* God has blessed Justin and I so much this Christmas! I cannot believe that 2 months ago I wasn't even married and now I get to spend my favorite holiday with my favorite person. It's just too good to be true! Thank the Lord! <3

Now I am off to bake some yummy Christmasy things. ;)

Until next time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

And may God bless you with a very happy New Year!