Better Late Than Never

...to talk about Christmas, right?

(Be forewarned, I may jump all over the place.)

Christmas '13 was my first Christmas in Michigan, and the first one with Jason's family! Annnnd, my first White Christmas!!!! Yaaay!!!

(Yes, I did just wake up!)

Unfortunately, I'm not a photographer, as my Mom is. Over the Christmas holiday, I managed to take 3 total pictures. I know, I know, you wanted pictures. Sorry! 

The memories made will be forever etched in my brain and unforgotten. I thoroughly enjoyed the cold days, the laughter with family and friends, and the many, many drinks shared!

I had the opportunity to partake in a girls only cookie-making tradition with all of Jason's fabulous cousins! 

What a great tradition! All of the cookies were homemade and hand-decorated! 

After cookie-making, Jason took me to my first ever Red Wings game!!!

Even though the Wings lost, I had a really good night hanging our with Jason and Scott at the game! The atmosphere in this place was like none other! 

Before the game, Scott was telling me about the significance of the octopus. It took/takes eight games to win the Stanley Cup. He mentioned that some folks are dumb enough to throw an octopus out on the ice in the first period, and are escorted out immediately. Why pay that much money for a ticket to be thrown out of the game before it even starts? What do you know--I also had the opportunity to watch one of those idiots toss out the eight-legged creature on the ice and kindly be taken to the exit. For those of you who haven't a clue as to what I'm talking about, enjoy! 

Fun stuff! 

The next day...Christmas Eve!

Like my family, everyone in Jason's come to one house and celebrate together!

Christmas Eve wouldn't be right without Santa! Yes, yes, Santa was at the Murphy house on Christmas Eve! Not only did we all get to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what we wanted for Christmas, he brought us all an early Christmas present! :) 

This Santa was the real deal! I loved it! He played the part very well! He's been coming to the Murphy house for the past 28 years! Uh-huh, waaaaaaay before I was born! 

(Sorry I don't have any pictures of this festivus night!)

The night concluded early Christmas morning...like 4:30am...with games of Euchre and Cards Against Humanity, and yet again, many drinks! Might I add, Jason and I are Euchre CHAMPS! 

I awoke Christmas morning in the arms of the man I love, blanketed by my little lap dogs! Blessed beyond belief, I am! (Chronologically, this is where I talk about my first White Christmas, oops!) 

Santa was good to me! He brought the running shoes I asked for, a Macbook Air, Red Wings ticket, Victoria's Secret gift card, and the priceless time spent with family! Christmas day brought many festivus miracles--and a few shed tears. 

(Only the MacBook and shoes are mine, Alyssa!)

It was tough being away from my family on Christmas day. Thank God for technology though, I got to FaceTime with them over lunch! :) 

A few days after Christmas, we celebrated Charlie's 3rd birthday and Elaine's 92nd!!!! 

(Charlie enjoyed massages from Uncle Scotty!)

(And, Elaine enjoyed a birthday lunch with her family!)

Yaaaay for birthdays!!!

I believe we originally planned to leave the same day, on Charlie and Elaine's birthdays. But...you know how plans go. We stayed another day--for Jason to get his Red Wings phone case back from Scott, and to watch him play hockey! The kid has skills. Sadly, we spent most of our time with our eyes on Scott in the penalty box! :P 

The following day we left the Mitt, home to South Carolina. Our time, as enjoyable as it was, is never long enough! 

So, here it is peeps, my Christmas recap--choppy and all over the place! Maybe next time I won't wait so long to put it all together. 

Merry LATE Christmas ya'll! 

A couple more videos before you go--gotta LOVE Howie & Howard!

(Homeboy loves the snow!)

(Howard loves to know what time it is--what a perfect gift for him!)