i am so happy to share with you that we have bought our first house! yes, my recent absence from the blog is a result of the hectic activity that surrounds closing on and moving into a new home. andrew and i are beyond thrilled and can say with no hesitation that this is a true gift given to us from the Lord. He led us to this house and it could not be more perfect for us. i will be posting pictures as soon as all these boxes disappear. 
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meanwhile, enjoy this photo i took back in may on our trip to yosemite national park. i unearthed it last night and was reminded that while we may enjoy the “things” in life, nothing compares to the beauty found in the world around us.
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making sure the lights work before putting them on the tree.
the finished product~
andrew’s mom baked at least 4 different dessert goodies for us to enjoy. they tasted as good as they look!
christmas eve. gathering around the family piano as my grandmother plays traditional christmas carols.
i grew up hearing my grandmother play on this piano, and it has since moved to georgia as they are transitioning into a new home. it was a joy to hear her sitting at her old piano again.
laughing about something. 
did i mention how funny it was?
even they couldn’t hold in the laughter by the end of the song…
my in-laws house is PERFECT at Christmas.
(one of ) our christmas tradition is to serve a pancake breakfast to our families on Christmas morning. this year, santa had brought these fun pancake molds (snowman, santa, and rudolph!).
dress code for Christmas morning is pajamas. notice my grandmother’s coordinating star in her hair that she made. 
kate’s been waiting for this gift for some time. 
transition to christmas afternoon…a couple of the men playing darts.
i am so thankful for each person in our family.