Can you beat this start to 2013??

Ben and I had an awesome Christmas/New Year's vacation. And now, as I am sure all of you are feeling this way as well, it is back to the grind. Well at work, at least....
I don't know about you, but I still haven't been to the grocery store since we've been back from the holidays.  I'm trying to see how long I can go without having to show my face there--don't think Ben is too pleased about that, but I'm perfectly fine with eating toast for breakfast, cereal for dinner (Ben made an emergency run for milk/bread/eggs) and pb&j's for lunch!!  :)
Besides being lazy, some other things I've been really good at in 2013 are: cuddling with my cats, eating trinidads/mint meltaways from Fannie May (cool points for you if you know what that is), going 3 days straight without a shower (I'm so sorry coworkers...), and looking at pictures from our honeymoon. 
Pretty fantastic start to the new year, right?!  I think so. 
One of the things that I always look forward to when I go back home is getting together with my friends who are still in the chi-town area, or are home for the holidays.  And what better way to catch up than over some cheesy, saucy, crunchy-crust amazingly yummy pizza?! 
Just see for yourself...

The third best pizza in the world--Giordano's!! First is our homemade bbq chx pizza, and second is Phil's (hometown classic). 

Still figuring out that focus!!

I wasn't kidding about the cuddling with the cats....

Our fabulous New Year's meal!

The chef and sister.

delish

The most wonderful time of the year!

Well as you can guess, things have been crazy busy around here....and unfortunately, blogging got placed on the back burner these past few weeks! But we are home! And resting! And eating lots and lots of goodies!! 
Earlier in the month, I saw a cute ornament swap on this blog that I thought would be super fun to take place in. 

 I was paired up with cute sunshiny Kayla from My Kind of Yellow who is also a new-er blogger like myself! She sent me this very cute bright yellow hand-blown ornament, which is the perfect reflection of her blog!

So now I have this awesome addition to my Christmas tree, and a new blogging buddy!

It's so good to be surrounded with family and friends--one of the reasons why Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday of the year!!
The biggest reason why I absolutely adore this time of year is because: 
^{Matthew 1:21} She [Mary] will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
How wonderful is that? It doesn't mean that I'm perfect, or that I'll ever be perfect; but it does mean that my sins are forgiven because Jesus took my place on the cross.  What an amazing gift!

Hope that everyone reading this has a very Merry Christmas!!  It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!!

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Elf+hotcocoa+baby+friends=amazing

In the month of December, when weekends are filled with holiday festivities and weeknights are spent decorating the house, working, sleeping, eating, cleaning (thanks Ben!), doing anything to get to bed before 11 (we have early mornings around here!!), nights like this one are a must.  They're like a breath of fresh air.

It's such a sweet friendship when both Ben and I get along so well with another couple.  You know what I mean, right? When the wives 'click' on so many levels, and the guys can do guy things together (Ben's words!!). Well when things do click, on both parts, you end up with an amazing friendship with lots of good times in store!  

Well these friends had a beautiful baby boy about 2 1/2 weeks ago and we had the privilege of not only meeting him in the hospital, but also spending all of Friday night with him!! He's so tiny and so adorable.  Watching friends transition into parents is such an awesome blessing.

Thanks guys for a great time of pizza, talking, Elf, hot cocoa, and baby! 

Kudos to these two lovebirds and another pair of great friends for being the first Christmas card we received!! Yay! Ya'll are adorable! :)