A December To Remember

This past December will go down in my personal history as one of the best holiday seasons to date.  Ever since my mom passed away in 2007, the Christmas season hasn’t really been the same.  Every year I dreaded December and just didn’t look forward to the joy of the season.  You can ask Todd how grumpy and sad I felt in December 2013.  This year it was different and I am super-thankful for it.  This post is photo-heavy, but I just want to remember all the blessings from this year.

On December 6th I put on a Glam Runner tutu and ran the Girls On The Run 5K.

On that same day, our beloved OSU Buckeyes beat Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big 10 Championship game.  We had just lost our 2nd-string QB to a broken ankle during the Michigan game.  We started our 3rd-string QB in the Big 10 Championship game and we had no idea how we’d do.  It was an awesome victory.  The next day, we found out that the Buckeyes were selected by the inaugural College Football Playoff Selection Committee as the #4 (and final) seed in the 4-team college football playoffs. 

We put up our tree and decorated it.  We got to enjoy it all month.

There was a ton of holiday crafting.

Including 32 handmade holiday cards.

NOT handmade, but still nice.

Gift tag making.

Christmas scrapbooking.

Todd baked his famous chocolate chip cookies for his office-mates.

More cookies for us.

On 12/7 we had our Elf Party. 

This scene was repeated over and over again during December.  Lit tree in a cozy corner, Noodle snuggling on Todd’s lap while Todd sits in his recliner, watching sports, movies, or playing video games.  I love this scene.

Noodle climbing up onto my belly and the two of us taking a nap together.

My Christmas lunch at Cheesecake Factory with the girls from work.

And our Secret Santa gift exchange.  I’m so thankful to have these women friends at work!

My department’s holiday lunch at work and our White Elephant gift exchange game.

Todd’s department Christmas potluck and white elephant gift exchange.

Todd and I celebrating him finishing a project at Ventana. 

The most awesome sunset you could see, in front of the Star of India ship on the harbor.

Going to the San Diego Parade of Lights on 12/21 on the harbor with AJ & Meera.

We got to see one decorated boat after another, sailing/motoring by.

The lit-up San Diego night time skyline wasn’t bad either.

Taking fun Santa bokeh photos in front of the tree lights.

Presents under the tree on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve dinner with Todd, my dad, and Shelly.

Going to see the neighborhood lights & decorations after dinner on Christmas Eve.

Watching “X-Men: Days of Future Past” after that at home.

Opening gifts together on Christmas morning.

Noodle wondering where all the Christmas gifts under the tree went.

Christmas lunch at Pacifica Del Mar.

Spending time at the beach on Christmas Day again, per our tradition.

Taking some time off work and enjoying our days.  Going to Point Loma Seafoods.

Going to The Cravory for scrumptious cookies.

Mounting the TV up to the wall in our workout room.

Going to Cinepolis on NYE and sitting in his & hers recliners to watch the movie “Into the Woods”.

Eating lunch afterwards at Burger Lounge, and getting cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

It was a wonder-ful December.  One that I won’t soon forget.