Our Christmas 2009

How was everyone's Christmas this year?  We sure do hope it was well, for ours was too.  As you can see in the picture above, we have been using the same tiny Christmas tree that we have had for the last 3+ years.  This year we created a whole wall with the Christmas theme.   Plus, after we add some gifts, we can't help but feeling festive. For those who sent us a card, if you look close enough, you may even be able to pick it out on the wall, for we hung them all up to think of you all while being so far away.

Anyway, Dana and I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas morning at our house.  We made Irish Cream Coffee, lit hazelnut candles, turned the TV on to Christmas music and laughed at Rocky for being the goofy little guy that he always is.  We opened some gifts that we got for each other, enjoying our first Christmas as a married couple.  My most exciting gift to Dana was a ceramic beer stein with a pewter lid.  On the stein is a design of two bald eagles.  For those of you who weren't at our wedding, the 2 bald eagles is a great symbolization of our ceremony, for my family told me they saw two bald eagles fly over us as we were getting married. How exciting to find a stein to symbolize our most memorable day together.

Dana's favorite gift to me was a pair of boots.  He knew how bad I wanted a pair of black boots and did everything he could to find the perfect pair for me.  He picked out what he liked best and I absolutely loved them!!  He now prides himself in his ability to pick out my personal style (which I know most men wouldn't even attempt), and he rocked it!!  Below are a couple pics opening gifts.  Rocky is watching over Dana as he opens the gift that he got for his dad.  It is a tin of popcorn because when Dana eats popcorn he always shares a few kernels with Rocky, which, of course, Rocky loves.

After our morning together, we joined forces with Lorie (Dana's cousin) and Steph who invited us over for Lorie's infamous lasagna.  We ate a ton of food, watched the Chargers kick some butt, then wrapped up the night with a game of Mexican Train.  Some neighbor friends and a work friend of Lorie and Steph's all came over and joined us.  We were all introduced to the game for the first time, except Lorie and Steph.  It was so much fun, but it got to be so late, so we ended the game a little early.  Dana was winning (I'd just call that beginner's luck), so he carried the torch out the door.  Now we are so happy that after a couple days of celebrating, we have the whole weekend to relax and do nothing.  (Please take notice to the fact that Dana picked out his clothes just so he could match Rocky--Yup, no joke.  Man, I love him! )