Last Christmas, I Gave You My Heart

Just Kidding. It's not that serious.

But seriously...last Christmas...I'm the worst with doing holiday posts. I noticed that I started one last year, but didn't finish. So let me share a bit.

Last Christmast was one of the best we've had in the last few years.

Andrew was there not just physically but mentally too. This was a huge change given the way the last few years had been. It was so nice to see him happy and functioning.

Andrew & Mikey 2010

I spent two days in the kitchen with Grandma baking way too many delicious treats. We had the best time! We made everything from puppy chow, iced sugar cookies, m&m cookies, chex mix, cinnamon candy, holly, and more that I can't even remember.

I love baking, so adding in grandma made it even better. Mikey (Andrew's gf at the time) even helped with the m&m cookies. I really liked that because we got to chat for a bit, and since I live far I hadn't had the chance to really get to know her.

Grandma

I still sat at the kids table. At this point it's not just circumstantial, but also by choice because I don't want to leave Marsh there to sit with anyone else. Andrew and Mikey tried to sit there with D & I, but I insisted that we share the table with Marshall and Garrett so they didn't have to sit at the bar together and alone. I didn't realize that Andrew was trying to sit with D & I because he actually wanted to spend time with me. I felt so stupid when Mom pointed that out after dinner. I just wasn't used to him being so -as bad as it sounds- normal.

Papa

We did spend some time together. I think he was working as the delivery guy for the pizza place at the time and he told me this funny story about how he showed up with the lady's pizza and it was late so she was complaining about how they are always late and she should just order from Pizza Hut. Andrew's response? "Then do it." That's exactly what I was thinking, but I would never tell a customer that. I was always more of the rule follower anyway. I also remember him showing me his car. At that time it was an infinity G35 (or something). He was so proud because he was making his own payments. I was pretty shocked because responsibility wasn't usually his strong suit.

I usually help grandma hand out the gifts, but I kinda had a switch up this year. I'm used to Marshall being the only "M" name, so when I saw an odd shaped gift, I didn't even read the name once I saw the "M." Yeah, from the shape I totally should have been able to realize it was a bone for Monster, Andrew's new dog. You should have seen Andrew and Marshall's face when Marsh opened the bone. I worked quick to grab the gift back and Andrew and I went to Grandma's room to rewrap it. After all of the human gifts were done, we let Monster in to open his. He didn't quite get it at first so Andrew had to help, but he loved it once we got the paper out of the way.

Marshall and the bone

quick wrap job

Monster and his present

It was a great last Christmas with Andrew. This year is hard having that vacant spot in our family, but I know we'll make it through. I can't even imagine what it's like for him to be having his first Christmas in Heaven. It's got to be incredible up there. I miss him so much but I'm not going to let that get in the way of continuing to make memories with Marshall and the rest of the family.

Let's Go

No really, let's go.

My bag is packed.

I have my ticket.

I just need to get through this work day and to the airport on time.

I have been so blessed to see almost all of my favorite people these past two weeks.

Now to end what was probably the worst year to date on a (hopefully) high note!

Grocery Shopping

Pretty sure Mom had a blast taking Marshall and me to Walmart and United with her.

We started the trip by me giving Marshall a piggy back ride to the car. He's about 6 inches taller than me, so it looked pretty ridiculous.

At Walmart we basically danced our way through the aisles. Mom just acted like she didn't notice.

While Marshall returned the cart I started to move the car to a closer spot for Mom (she was still in the store), so I had Marshall hop in while I was slow rolling at about 5mph.

When leaving United I went around to get in the front seat but Marshall decided to call shotgun and shove me out of the way. I tried to hold my ground and our scuffle ended up setting off the car alarm. Mom couldn't stop laughing long enough to let us in. Thanks mom.

When we weren't dancing and acting a fool I was constantly looping arms with him and hugging him. I think I'm driving him crazy, but there's nothing he can do about it. :)

A Love Like Allie & Noah

Is what I have with Donut Stop.

Extreme? Maybe. A little OTT? Ummm, have you met me? Then you shouldn't be surprised.

No, I don't literally write DS love letters, because that would be crazy. But I do miss it. Shipley's just doesn't compare. Part of that whole situation is the fact that no matter how early I go I can never get a fresh cherry donut. WTF Shipley's? Plus the flavor is a little off.

Whatever. The last three times I came home this year I wasn't able to schedule a donut date. But with the Christmas break, the time has finally come!
I had a wonderful reunion dinner with a few of my bests: Ashley, Kayla, & Kara. Followed by a sleepover at Kara's. Then a late morning donut date. Late because she sleeps forever. FOREVER!


Oh how I've missed you.

I told Kara that my trip to DS was like two lovers reuniting after being apart for a year, so it was likely to get NC17 up in there, so she should probably avert her eyes. Luckily Kara's been a BFF since HS so she doesn't judge when I say crazy things.

Also, how can she judge when having me take pictures like this:

And Can someone please explain to me why I look almost identical to my 16yr old dl picture?


**side note: went to the Sunray grocery store with Mom and she introduced me to someone she knew. The lady asked me if I was 17. Flattered, but no, I'm 25. Hopefully I'll look young forever!

She also recorded me singing my cherry donut a love song. Can you blame me? Look at those beauties.
It was A Thousand Years by Christina Perri with just a few alterations to the lyrics. The video is on fb, but I can't get it to save so I can post it here. But you are seriously missing out.

We also had some delicious donut holes. This are like little circles of heaven.

I can't wait for my next Donut Stop date with the girls later this week!

I Love Blizzards!

This kind:

Not that kind:

I only got one kind of blizzard this week, and unfortunately it wasn't from DQ.

Obviously it doesn't look too crazy And I really don't think it was. But it was crazy enough for my Dad to be called out to work (no, not to fix roofs), the highways to close, and us to be stuck in Sunray.

Stuck in Sunray isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just that I've been in town since Friday and I haven't gotten to see my grandparents or Dad yet.

Dad said it was still too icy for me to hit the highways today, but Marsh and I plan to head to Dalhart around lunch tomorrow. If it's still too icy, then I'll throw him on my back Edward style and make a dash for it.

Yeah, I might be able to get about a block like that so I guess we'll have to take turns.