Attempted snowshoeing...and other holiday 2012 adventures

What? You don't want to look at the black eye any longer? 

We had an absolute blast this Christmas, celebrating our first as an engaged couple and last as "single" people. And, I feel like we crammed as much ho-ho-ho-ing into two weeks as possible. Next year, we might try to tone it down a bit and spend more time relaxing than going. Try being the operative word here. 

Highlights, in no particular order: 

• Experiencing the gift-a-palooza at the Bethells' house and also at Nanny and Bobby's house on Christmas day and night. 
• Egg nog lattes and mani/pedis with Stefanie.
• Festivus at the Kurians' with a grand group of friends. 
• Witnessing Taylor trying on every item of clothing from his parents as soon as he opened it...and setting up every other gift as soon as we got home. 
• Blazer game with brother-in-law Jordan. 
• Dinner dates at Team Schadys'.
• Our little exciting Christmas morning at the condo...a two year tradition now. 
• Winning the scavenger hunt at the "Warrior Workout Girls" Christmas party with Schady and Stina. 
• The Aforementioned Warrior Workout Girls Christmas party in general. Seeing all those ladies dressed up instead of in training pants certainly was a treat. Rarrr. Foxy cougars on the loose! 
• Meeting our new dog-nephew, Barney. 
• Traveling to the Gorge to see my Pullman grandparents and have the best buffet dinner ever. 
• Christmas Eve service and accompanying prime rib and Yorkshire pudding fest at my parents'.
• Hazel. Need I say more?
• Holiday tae bo classes with the teacher in a Santa suit and Santa thong. Hilarious. 
• Snowshoeing Hiking in Mt. Hood Forest with our buddies Rob and Erin. We didn't hit snow like planned...we tried to hit a spot where there wouldn't be so much traffic, and of course we left too late in the day. Hitting up the Carver Hangar and seeing the most Griswald-esque festival of lights on the way home made up for my Christmas wish of 'shoeing not granted.
• New Year's Eve with the Folskes and Team Perk. After contemplating a trip up to see Em and Greg, we ended up staying home and having a low-key evening. I think we fell asleep watching a movie around 10:45. Sad.
• Catching up on sleep. 
• Cooking and eating. Eating and cooking.

The quest for a new camera is on. Until then, phone photos will have to do. 

Roll that beautiful holiday footage... 

Bonneville Hotsprings with the Pullman fam...photo'd here with The Lady. 

Christmas Eve service. Only my sister Stefanie would have her phone out to capture all the moments. Here's that little Hazel Diane, checking out the manger with Big Poppi.

HD was such a hit the whole time. She went to everyone, didn't cry, and made those around her smile. 

Dinnertime with the Klars. 

Cracking up with Hazey, Sara, and her new baby, Barney. 

H likes to wave at all doggies and kitties and gives them kisses. Barney got lots. 

I spy a dog on Uncle Taylor's lap. Hazel really got into the clam dip and kept going back for more. My kind of girl. 

Aunt Kay made scarves for all the ladies, and H wanted one, too. 

Booty booty booty...rockin' everywhere. 

Christmas morning, reading with Uncle Taylor. 

My mom and dad, opening their fire pit...with the help of a lovely assistant. 

Reading with Auntie Kate. 

Checking out a new toy with Daddy.

These pajamas were Stefanie's when she was a babe. Note the extra pair of socks over the footies. I don't think companies thought about traction back then. 

Hazel loves the grocery store just like all Benz women. Here she is with her new cart and fake food.

So...this is the only photo from the Albany Christmas Extravaganza?! What? Well, Taylor's dad is distilling his own spirits these days, so Tay and I got him his own bottles and labels. They turned out well. 

Auntie and Uncle Joe.

Bust-a-bucket. Oh. This is a photo of the ushers doing a half-time dance. It was too cute. We sat in the rafters, hence the far-away shot here. 

Thanks to all our friends for sending Christmas cards. I was so sad to take down the wall. 

101 ways to use Aunt Kay's rolls: PB&J for Taylor's post-Christmas fishing.

Here's a shot of Rob in his awesome homemade boat. Is it OK to say the boat is homemade? I think it's amazing. He and Taylor spend most weekends on some body of water fly-fishing. 

Our attempted snowshoeing outing up past Estacada, OR.

Neat little bridge.

Hey! Guess what? Less the four months until we say, "I do!" Whoop! 

Rob and Erin. The best!

Tay and the waterfall.

It's a Christmas miracle! This bad boy lights up the entire town of Carver. It's right across the street from the Hangar...where you can find the best burger in the surrounding area. 

We're definitely coming back here again next year! Best line of the trip, "Huh. You guys are all wearing the same jacket!"

I hope you had as much fun as I did this Christmas season. The best part was--and always is--celebrating Jesus's birthday with family and friends. Christmas would be nothing with out Him! I love how generous and enjoyable people are during the month of December in general. I just wish more people were able to carry it on throughout the year a pinch.

Here's to 2013, which is going to be one heck of a year. A slew of our friends are having babies (so exciting!), we have a few special weddings to attend--including my cousin Mark and his fiancee Kristine's, and Taylor and I will be husband and wife. Isn't that just nuts?!