Christmas 2012

If you are a stocker or maybe you are just our bestest friends you know that for Christmas this year we had the incredible opportunity to go to Hawaii.
Instead of presents on Christmas morning we were all waking up and getting ready to head to the airport. Was that a little weird you ask? Yes.. Andrew and I realized that was the first time either of us had left "the house" (wherever we were staying that year) on Christmas day.. Crazy. But honestly, we were headed to Hawaii so there wasn't much complaining on our part ;)

Andrew and I still spent a little money on each other for Christmas and we still had family come over on Christmas Eve and do a little celebrating. Julie and Val came over and we had a wonderful clam chowder dinner and lots of yummy munchies and then we exchanged presents.

This year Andrew got me a vinyl record player. I had talked about it a couple times and he picked up on it and got me one. Because it was not something we wanted to have to bring on the plane I got it at the beginning of December which I loved because then I was able to listen to some beautiful christmas music. Needles to say it is a beauty. And of course the music is timeless. I love listening to Frank sing :)

Like I said in this post I wasn't really sure until 4 days before Christmas what I was getting Andrew. But after some wonderful shopping I found some awesome things. Like two pairs of vans. two Neff shirts. Some quirky socks and a tie. I even got him a 99 cent mountain dew chap-stick! ha

and he got this beauty.

And he loved his gifts, or at least he says he does and he has worn pretty much everything at least once already so I am pretty pleased with my findings!

Ready to go to Bethlehem 

While we were in California we were able to attend Andrew's home wards Christmas party. It was incredible. They had it in a members, aka the Sorensen's best friends, back yard. It was a sight to see let me tell you. It was made to look like Bethlehem. They had crafts for the kids to do and animals to pet and food to eat and even a manger with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. What a fun night. Everyone.. well most everyone even dressed up like they were from that time.

My little friend in Bethlehem
They had Neff beanies back then right? ;) 

Oh and I almost forgot to tell you that at the beginning of December we went to The Forgotten Carols with Marilee. It was beautiful. I had never heard the story so I did not know what to expect but it was perfect. It was sentimental but still had plenty of humor and really shared the true meaning of Christmas.

I feel that overall we had some really good experiences in basking in the Christmas Spirit. What a wonderful, beautiful, magical time of the year. It is sad to see it go but I know we can keep it around all year and look forward to its magic next year as well.

Merry Christmas from the Sorensen's 

We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season :)
love,alex&andrew

ps- can I have him pleeeease

Christmas in the Land of Oz

Christmas. oh what a wonderful day. 

I think i like the holiday season more than the actual day.. although this year it felt different. 

The whole day was simply wonderful. I actually really like Christmas on Sundays cause then I feel like I really spent the day thinking about what it is really about and not just the gifts. 

We like to wake up early in my house. This year I was so surprised to find that the little children let us sleep in until 9! WOAH. what a deal. and I think that is just because we didn't want to wake up until Taeden did. perfection. Now here is the annual sitting on the stairs waiting to go down picture.

Thats right we don't get to go down the stairs until everyone is up including the parents so they can get this lovely photo every year. and then we run.. yes literally run. to the living room. 

(this year it might have been a nice walk for the oldies.)  

we look great in the morning don't you think? 

i love these photos of the kids holding up their pj's. so adorable. 

the after church photo! 

What a great day. It was so nice to be surrounded by family and to see how exciting it was for the little kids. the older you get I think it looses its excitement but with little kids around it brings it all back. I can't wait to have our own little ones waiting for santa to come. We were spoiled this year. I think i may have to show you one of my goodies later on..once I get it back. so stay tuned for that. I also got this beautiful point and shoot camera. What a beauty it is. So much nicer than my old one. I was thrilled. I have taken a few pictures and lots of videos with it. Andrew was happy to get these awesome head phones and a shaver. welcome to adulthood.


How was your christmas? it is hard to go back to reality after a break like that.

love,alex&andrew