So Long, 2012!

Today we're exactly one week into the new year, and I'm just beginning to recover from my holiday hangover.  I've said to several of my friends that I believe I ate 1,000 cookies (okay, maybe 999, but it was close to 1,000!), drank 25 gingerbread lattes and at least 10 bottles of red wine.  Last Wednesday was my first day back to boot camp, and it was rough!  But throughout all my overindulging were countless days and nights filled with holiday fun, and I'm entering 2013 with a heart full of thanksgiving.

I think I have close to five hundred photos from the Christmas season, but here are a few (actually, more than a few!) of my favorite moments I don't want to forget...

Lawrence and I usually try to take an afternoon off of work during December to do a good portion of our Christmas shopping.  We sometimes have lunch to make it a bit more festive, but this year I surprised him and had my mom and dad stay with Sarah and John so that we could spend the evening downtown at 21c.  When he met me at lunch time to start our shopping (which, let's face it, isn't a guy's favorite way to spend the day), I told him to pack his bag because when we were done we were going on a little vacation!  He was so excited, and we had a wonderful night in the city.  This was such a fun way to start the season...we actually did get a lot of shopping done that day too!

King of his castle

Heading out to dinner

Soon the last week of school was here, which brought class parties and music programs.  John had his first band performance playing his baritone, and he also performed in several recorder numbers.

John was my constant companion and elf this season, wanting to bake cookies, watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas music every chance he could get.  We had a fun afternoon baking cookies and having a slumber party in front of the Christmas tree the night before Christmas Eve.

Am I smiling because I didn't have to make my cookie dough?
Love Pillsbury sugar cookie dough rolls!

Baking buddies

And to all a good night!

Christmas Eve was a busy day, cooking, wrapping, and preparing for family to come over that night.  We went to Christmas Eve service at 3:00 that afternoon, and it was as if a timer buzzed and all the preparation for the holiday was over.  It was time to worship and reflect on the gift of Christ and it felt so good to let that "to do" list go.  After service was over we met the Young family back at our house to begin a wonderful time of celebration.

Reminiscing with what else?  My Christmas
scrapbooks!  This made my heart warm!

Looks who's home!  Nana was happy to see Taylor...

...cause he's so fun!

This family of four was happy to all be together! 

Lawrence and Sarah made a video on iMovie of Christmases past...
a huge hit! 

A very teenage Christmas...all on their phones  

Swapping stories around the table

The merry Milliners

These two are always laughing...(is it at me??)

Pam and Doug were able to join us this year

Nike Elite socks for John...his favorite!

Nana opens some goodies 

Taylor brought Sarah and Sydney pretty bracelets and
ornaments from Turkey 

It wasn't long before the big red bag arrived on the front door step, filled with goodies for young and old!

Mmmm, who would the softball sweatshirt be for?

How did Santa know Tony had run over his binoculars this fall? 

A wireless DS card for this social media loving photographer 

Classic Atari for Rich 

NCAA Football 2013 - this QB loves this gift!

Mmmm...some good scotch for Badoo

MT... a lifelong gamer!  Her new XBox game makes her smile!

Merry Christmas from the Young clan!

John woke up around 5:00 on Christmas morning, but after telling him there was NO way we were getting up yet, he fell back asleep until around 7:00.  Soon we were downstairs seeing what Santa had left and exchanging gifts with one another.  Santa was so good to everyone!

New boots for Sarah

Never too old for a stocking

A Pandora bracelet - wow, Santa is a sweetheart! 

This scarf will look great at a UK football game!

Ready for our trip out west this summer

Black Ops patches for John's camo jacket  

CAL gear for this sports loving dad

New books from Mom

Spirit wear!

Centurion gear! 

Yeah, that new headband might need some adjusting... 

Electric wine opener

John loved these shoes Sarah picked out for him

Been wondering what this is...

Awww, a Scrabble board with words about me! 

My boy is crafty!

Here was my reaction when I opened Lawrence's gift
to me...money for new carpet!  I've soooooo
been wanting this!   

Our traditional Christmas breakfast 

That evening we went over to Dick's house and had another delicious meal of ham, beaten biscuits (made by Dick and MT on Florencie's beaten biscuit board!), grits and creamed peas (John's favorite!).  The cousins had fun hanging out, and Sarah received a special gift from Badoo...her varsity letter sweater.  She was so surprised and had never even noticed we had sneaked her letter and pins out of the house.  Badoo had given Tanner his letterman's jacket last Christmas, so this seems to be the start of a tradition.  Given Badoo's love of sports and his time spent as a varsity coach, I can't think of a more meaningful gift.  She loves it!

Sarah checks out Taylor's new iPad Mini

Dick opens a great new read 

Sydney gets something good!

Looking good!

Coach Young with his two varsity lettermen

Dick also gifted us all with another week at the beach this summer.  This year we are going to Virginia Beach, which I've never been to.  I'm excited to visit Williamsburg and some other historic sites while we're there.

That Friday after Christmas we celebrated with Mom and Dad and had our first family gathering at their new home.  I must say, it felt just right.  We didn't miss the old homestead like I thought we might, and while our dinner wasn't too fancy since their kitchen is being renovated (who doesn't love Wick's pizza??), we still had a wonderful night in their new place.  I think this was the first of many fun gatherings there.

John thanks Aunt Shannon for his Dick's gift card 

Something new for this slimmed down Fit Chick

First family dinner in the new place

Dad opens this year's Santa

A new belt for Lawrence

Claire loved her new iPhone camera lenses

Bruce loved his new Williams Lacrosse T-shirt and Nike gift card 

John loved the little miniature Nike shoebox his gift card came in 

A sound bar for Papa

Massages for Lawrence 

A snazzy new yoga mat for me - my old one is disgusting!

Charlie Strong Maker's Mark bottle for Joe - just in time for the Cards
to win the Sugar Bowl!

Nancy gave Shan and I several items from Gran and Pop's china
cabinet, which we loved.  She is the best gift giver, ever.  

New accessories for Meme's new kitchen

Merry Christmas from the Antles!

On Saturday we enjoyed a morning at Paintball Asylum.  Rich, Lori, Tanner and Taylor set up a morning of family fun as a Christmas gift, and fun we had!  Sarah was too scared to join in (although after seeing it wasn't as scary as she thought it would be she probably wishes she had), but the rest of us suited up and fired away at one another!  I had never played paintball, so I can mark this off my bucket list now.  I was surprised I actually shot some people!  It was a really fun morning and we definitely made some memories.

The Milliners are ready to rumble!

Call of Duty has come to life!

Don't we look sweet? 

Lori and her boys 

Let's do this

Lori surrenders! 

Tony and Taylor stalk the other team 

And THAT'S why we wear a mask!

I sort of look like I know what I'm doing (I so don't!)

Lawrence waits for this right shot...

...and now he fires away!

Go Lori!

 On New Year's Eve went to the lake to recover from all the fun (not that the lake's not fun, but you know what I mean).  We drove over to Nashville for the day and spent some time in Franklin and down on Broadway.  We were back at the lake house in time to watch a movie, eat a frozen pizza and toast the new year at midnight.  What a perfect end to a great holiday season.  On the car ride home, Lawrence and I looked back on all the great times we had in 2012.  There were too many to count, and if 2013 brings us even half a many blessings as this past year, we'll be thrilled.  Happy New Year!