Christmas in Orlando

This was the 3rd annual Christmas in Orlando for Adam and I. Recently, my parents bought a condo about a mile from our house so they wanted to celebrate down here. They brought my grandparents and we had a lot of fun!  I realized I didn't take many pictures, however, I am sure there will be more pictures to follow that will be a little better quality since Adam and I got a new camera for Christmas and I think he took more. Here's a few for now....

Our family by the tree.

Grandma & Granddaddy

Mom, Dad, & Bentley

The girls. 

Grandma this one is for you "REJOICE"

After breakfast at our house Christmas morning, we went over to Adam's parents house for round 2. This is the only picture we took. BUT there will be more to follow since we are celebrating once again on Tuesday with Ashley & Matthew. Stay tuned...

Santa Monica

After our ventures in Malibu, we picked up the boys went back to Santa Monica and had dinner at a mexican restaurant with Doug & Christy. Christy, Ashley, & Adam grew up together and now Christy lives in LA with her husband Doug. They were so hospitable and it was a lot of fun hanging out with them. We tried to convince them that Orlando is the new LA :-) 

At dinner!!

The next day the boys had class again so Ashley and I went to the Promenade in Santa Monica. It is basically a street of shops. We passed by "Yummy Cupcakes" and couldn't resist. I think we got a cinnamon and sugar cupcake with butter cream icing!! Did I mention I ate a lot and now I need to diet big time before Christmas!! 

We had to take the picture ourselves. 

It's the best we could do. 

That night we met up with Doug & Christy at a restaurant called Primitivo on Abbey Kinney Street in Venice, CA. It is a Wine and Tapas Bistro. Abbey Kinney is a neat street that has a lot of cute vintage shops and restaurants. 

Christy, Adam, & Avery 

Matthew & Ashley

On Saturday we meet Doug & Christy at their house (pictured above). 

They took us to In and Out Burger and then to Diddy Riese! 

The cheapest best ice-cream and chocolate chip cookie!!

We ended our trip with a walk on the Santa Monica Pier. 

Avery was bundled up! 

The Downs' Family

We were tired but had a blast!!! 

Malibu

The next day while the boys were in class, Ashley, Avery, and I drove to Malibu. We went to a place called the Malibu Country Mart. The drive along the coast is beautiful and unfortunately I didn't get a picture to show you. I did take a few pictures inside one of my favorite stores "Shabby Chic." A friend of ours from Orlando used to work here when she lived in Santa Monica. I really wish they had a store in Orlando!! 

Trying to be discrete taking a picture. 

Avery got many compliments on her shiny pink vest! She fit in well!! There was a little playground in the mart and she got to swing and crawl around. I think it was probably her favorite thing. 

Take me on a trip I want to go some where...

A song I like to sing is... "Take me on a trip I want to go some where...take me to New York, I want to see LA." Well, now I can say I have seen LA (Los Angeles not to be mistaken for lower Alabama) :-) Adam and Matthew (my bro in law) had a CCIM class in Redondo Beach so Ashley, Avery and I were able to go with them. This will be one of a few posts about our trip. We left Orlando at 7:00 AM Wednesday morning and arrived at LAX at 9:30. It's a 3 hour time change so we basically started the day over. Our first stop: Rodeo Drive. We had breakfast (again) and then proceeded to the streets. 

Ashley and I! I was such a tourist! 

Adam and I on the empty but gorgeous Rodeo Dr.

The whole gang! 

After shopping, no strolling, who can afford anything on Rodeo Drive?? I guess anyone willing to fork over some dough. We decided to go on a road trip to find the Hollywood sign. After driving down Sunset Blvd we sighted it in the distance. But we wanted to get closer. 

Hollywood...I'm here! 

After winding through "the hills" we arrived!!!

I was so excited!!

Ok so after roaming around LA all day we were so tired. We checked in the hotel and went straight to dinner. I took this picture at dinner and it cracked us up because we think little miss rock star of a traveler Avery was a bit delirious. I guess to be smiling after getting up at 5AM (which is 2 AM LA time) and staying out until 11 PM (8PM LA) means an adaptable baby girl! 

It's the holiday season

I love decorating for Christmas. Since we've been married I have been collecting Christmas decorations each year in order to continue to add to the next. The absolute best shopping is done right after Christmas when you can get most things at 50% off or less. Adam and I were home two days after Thanksgiving before we went on our trip to LA and this is what we were able to accomplish....

Tree decorated...no presents. I need to go shopping! 

Media console with the added Christmas accents. 

The mantle. 

I would love to get garland with lights to put here. 

The only place I could find a spot to hang our stockings.

I wish we had a fireplace but I guess it wouldn't be very practical in FL.

Our dining room table. I love our Christmas dishes.

Each year I put them out right after Thanksgiving and we use them

until the new year. It was a wonderful gift from Adam's mom!!

I decorated the little tree with some of our 

ornaments we have been given over the years. 

The garland on the stairs lights up and so do the little red trees.

I am looking for a new nativity scene! And the sign says

"Merry Christmas Ya'll"

Now for the outside. Adam finished most of it last night but we have a little more to finish before I can post so check back! 

Iron Bowl

Well it was a whirlwind of a day but we made it to the Iron Bowl to watch Alabama drown the Tigers 36-0. We woke up at 4:45 AM in Montana and flew to Birmingham. We were going to land in Tuscaloosa but weather prevented us from doing that so we ended up in Birmingham. We rented a car and drove 45 min and got to the game 5 min after kick off. Our seats were in the upper deck but we had a great view of the field. We are so glad we made the decision to go! Roll Tide!! 

Roll Tide!! 

our view! 

Can you tell I'm excited?! 

Final score: 36-0

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer!! 

Anna Wesley and I at the Alpha Chi house. 

We got to see Andy & Ashley for a 

brief moment after the game! 

Thanksgiving

We went to Big Sky, Montana with Adam's family for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed the cold weather and were able to have much needed down time. We watched a lot of movies, cooked, and spent time sharing as a family. I am so grateful that the holidays provide a time for us to be together. I was reminded of the many blessings in my life!! 

All bundled up!!

Shopping! 

no smiles in "MANtana"

Let's eat!!

We cooked all day! AND it was worth it!! 

A delicious spread. 

Just hanging out!