Williamsburg, Jamestown, Virginia Beach, York, Richmond


We essentially did a Virginia tour the week after Christmas! First stop, Williamsburg and Jamestown. I was excited to go to these 2 iconic American Cities because I have never been before. It was a really cool experience to see colonial Williamsburg, but I have to admit, my favorite was driving along Jamestown Island and seeing a glimpse of what the first settlers of America saw when they landed in America. 

I loved the Christmas decorations!

Yummy candy store.

Jamestown: 

Skipping Rocks.

Virginia Beach: 
We had a great time in VA Beach! We stayed at a cool colonial resort and ate at Waffle House for breakfast! Unfortunately, it rained the whole day so we made do with the weather and instead of the beach we went to the Aquarium! So much fun! 

York: 
On the way back, we drove through the battlefields at York. It was beautiful. 

 We also drove through Richmond to see the Tackiest Lights in America. It was AMAZING. Here's a teaser: 

 The next day we hung out in Charlottesville. The boys played golf and horseshoes, and Tarin and I stepped out for a little girl time, shopping and getting our nails done. We played Uno with the kids and hung out at home that night. I love down time with my family as much as traveling/playing!

Christmas!
Some people don't love going to church on Christmas Sunday, but let me tell you, it's my mom's favorite. It always has been, and I personally enjoy it to. I like getting dressed up, singing hymns and celebrating Christ. It was fun to wake up Christmas morning and see the excitement of the kids seeing their gifts from Santa (those presents are always unwrapped). And then after church, we did our traditional gift exchange. We also got to Skype with Ryan's family and be part of their gift exchange as well -- thank goodness for technology! The rest of the day flew by -- we had an incredible Christmas dinner (see photos below) and enjoyed the day together. 

Christmas!

Family Photo.

Family Photo #2

Hansen Family.

Gma and the babes.

Christmas photo.

Grandma Haines won most creative gift!

Butternut Squash Soup, Salad, Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls. AMAZING.

Family dinner picture.

 We had a wonderful day together!!

Christmas Eve in Charlottesville. 

This was our first family Christmas not in California. It was a little different, but as we all know, home is where the heart is. We enjoyed being together, but also missed Ashley and Brandon (Ashley was 9 mos preggers and couldn't travel). Good thing for Skype!

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas Eve dinner, eating the food that 'Jesus would have had', and fulfilled family traditions of reading Luke 2, watching The Nativity, reading T'was the Night Before Christmas, and the Hansen tradition of talking up the Chimney to Santa. We received new PJs made cookies for Santa, and started a new tradition of homemade Black and Whites!

Dinner.

Hansen Family.

Gma and Charlotte

Tarin and Sawyer

Tarin and Nic

Matthew and the girls. I love this photo!

Twas the night before Christmas

whispering up the Chimney - Charlotte said it to Caidence who then said it up the Chimney for her.

Making Cookies for Santa.

Final product.

Ryan and I cozy in our PJs!

There was a lot of excitement leading up to Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Eve was spent together doing last-minute Christmas shopping. I love the decorations and charm of Michigan Ave at Christmas.

Michigan Ave.

This is a photo on Christmas Eve Eve from Wabash and Monroe.

This year, we held "our Christmas" on Christmas Eve. It was the first time on Christmas Eve we weren't taking a 6am flight to meet our families, so it was quite exciting to wake up in the morning and get to enjoy Christmas together in the morning! Due to a late night of packing, there are no photos of us that morning, but this is what our tree looked like this year:

We opened stockings in bed, and then turned on the oven for my delicious Grandma's-Recipe cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We had a blast opening up presents, and as always, Ryan spoiled me rotten!

All too soon we were rushing off to the airport to catch our flight -- surprisingly, the airport was the emptiest we have ever seen it! We breezed through security and were on our way to Charlottesville, VA.

American Airlines Wing, ORD on Christmas Eve.

Christmas

I love Christmas. We started an early tradition when we were dating to have our "own" Christmas before celebrating with our families. This is something we have kept doing and I love our special time together each year.

As part of our celebration this year, we went to Welcome Yule, a Christmas concert/show put on by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was AMAZING! and may have made it into my annual Chicago tradition. I loved the celebration of Christmas and Christ that they emphasize in their show.

It's been unseasonably warm in Chicago this winter, so we enjoyed a brisk walk home from the concert. I especially love our late night walks through the city -- it's so quiet and peaceful and sometimes it feels like we have the whole place to ourselves.

Christmas in the City. 
As I walk through downtown I love seeing the lights, wreaths and Christmas trees on display. Chicago in December is so beautiful.

Merry Christmas!

Thankful.

So thankful for my sweet husband. For our eternal marriage and the happiness he brings. Thankful for our health, for the opportunity we have to live in Chicago and serve here. Thankful for incredible parents who continue to teach us so much. Thankful for amazing families -- the love and support that they continue to give us. Thankful for our Faith; for scriptures and living prophets that make the hard days a little less hard. Thankful for my testimony of my Heavenly Father, that He knows me and loves me and sent His Son to die for me so I can live again. Thankful for friends who make life happy and enjoyable and are a shoulder to lean on. Thankful for the sun, for flowers, mountains, and this beautiful earth we get to enjoy every day. Thankful for a healthy body and the energy to do all that I wish and want and hope to do in this life.

I am thankful for Thanksgiving -- a holiday that allows us to reflect on our blessings and say Thanks.