gone missing in sunny CA

Dear all,

Christmas Break

I got a little bit distracted...

I apologize.

The festivities started with the annual making of the family gingerbread house:

we are quite proud of it, complete with a festive Christmas wreath for the door and a side garden 

a birthday was celebrated:

And Christmas Eve wasn't complete without brunch at the Cottage and a stroll along the sea shore:

Also there was an unplanned, unexpected and completely wonderful visit from this boy:

And I was so excited to see him I somehow forgot to take pictures of us together...

Shocking.

I know.

Anywho, I apologize for my two week MIA,

Christmas tends to do that to me.

But, really, if we're getting right down to it, enjoying the holidays at home with the family trumps blogging about it.

Always.

Merry (belated) Christmas my dears!

home for christmas

Friday:

I flew into Long Beach Airport and it was drizzling

Sunday:

Went to church in a downpour and it still hasn't stopped raining
(note: it's 11:24 P.M.)

The Forecast:

It's supposed to rain through this coming Wednesday...

What's wrong with this scenario??

Didn't I come to California for the holidays...?

the to-do list:

1. the ward Christmas party

(check)

2. Ugly Christmas sweaters

(check)

and 3. Christmas lights

 (check)

Now I just need to 4. fly home,

5. watch A Christmas Carol

and 6. go bowling and then it will officially feel like Christmas.

gingerbread wars

{ Girls vs. Boys addition }

 the results:

vs.

Kudos to the first person who can name what this 

{ the crumbling graham cracker creation with 

black frosting smothered all over it }

is supposed to be...

lights on the square:

a Christmas tradition

 

and also to the excessive amounts of newly engaged couples whose pictures we accidentally walked into, 

tripped over 

and generally couldn't avoid,

Merry Christmas to you too.

the facts are these:

I'm done with classes for fall semester.

Christmas shopping is looming at me on the horizon.

I daydream about London.

I am avoiding the mall at all costs until January.

I'm growing my hair out.
(rephrase)
I'm trying to grow my hair out.

I'm so happy the snow hasn't stuck yet.

Being done with a 20-page paper and a 60-page project feels pretty good.

The best place to read is in front of the fireplace.
 I've been listening to Christmas music non-stop for the last 8 days and plan to for the next 17.
I admit to being a blog stalker.
Bananas & peanut butter are necessary.
I hate airports.
I pop my knuckles 5+ times a day.
Dancing in the kitchen and cheek kisses are the best.
I never raise my hand in class (today was an exception).
I don't know how to whistle.
I make lots of lists.
I live in socks September-March.
I really don't like wearing socks.  
I fall asleep to Kenny G.
Sometimes I make up big words. 
I hum when I do the dishes.
I take most things too literally.
 

true love

is a man who will eat the bottom of the muffin so you can just eat the top

my first

I got my first speeding ticket the other day guys...

1 ticket out of 4 years on the road?

I guess I feel okay about that.

virgin atlantic

I know they doesn't mean to taunt me.

I know they aren't out to get me.

But they keep sending me e-mails asking me to come back to 

London.

They want me to spend Christmas with them caroling outside St. Paul's Cathedral and ice skating at Somerset House.

They even conveniently informed me that a one-way ticket from LAX to Heathrow is only 

$307...

All I want for Christmas mum...?