I'm going to pretend it's still Christmas, at least until New Years. I mean, don't you feel like Christmas is extended through January 1st as well? I always did (Hallmark does too....Christmas movies 24/7 until January!) Anyway. I'm here to do my obligatory recap of the beautiful Christmas holiday. Mostly in bad photos and rambles. Ready......?
First up was Christmas Eve at my grandparent's (mom's side) house. All the usual and it was wonderful to see all my family again after not seeing them for a very long time.
Plus, I finally got to meet my new (6 months now) baby cousin for the first time! Can't get enough of this sweet happy little boy!
And we ended the night with my other little cousin reading The Night Before Christmas. Lots of laughs, smiles, stories, and hugs. It was a great night! When we got home, I went right to bed with anticipation for Santa's arrival.
Christmas morning. There's nothing like it. We all slowly got up (me first), I went with my dad to get coffee, came back around 8:45am and my brother was still not awake even after he told me he would be up at 7. Haha, yea right 😉 We got him up and opened out stockings (the best!) before heading in to the next room to open PRESENTS!
My dog stocking has been with me every year. I love that thing SOOOO much and refuse to ever get a new one....ever!
I just love breathing this bag in. It's bad...I have a coffee addiction and now it's worse....coffee on demand.
My DIY gifts to my family this year were Gretchen's Cinnamon Ornaments! All they were made of was applesauce and cinnamon. I cut the recipe down a bit with just 1 ½ cups of applesauce and 1 ½ cups of cinnamon. I also must not have rolled them thin enough because these took over 4 hours to harden in the oven. That day the whole house smelled rather intensely of cinnamon! (It got to be too much actually....even for this cinnamon obsessed girl!)
And yes, Santa treated me well...a bit too well in my opinion! I got my coveted Excalibur (4 tray) Dehydrator
! Now there will never have to be food waste! We can just dehydrate everything! I already made dried mint leaves! I also got studio lights
(for when natural lighting is not an option), a doughnut pan
(the next greatest thing), teddy bear pancake molds
, a bunch of clothes, blogging
books
, a new waffle maker
(from my grandma and they were delicious and perfect!), a coffee/spice grinder
, and a bunch of other great little things. Really it was a "quality" Christmas as I called it. This girl was left very happy and loved.
My dad also got me this beautiful bracelet. He gave it to me in the morning before everyone else was up. It says, "There's Only One Beautiful You" and on the other side of the charm is has an "R". It is absolutely perfect and I love it so much!
After our traditional morning, my dad, brother, and I went to my other grandparents house for a few hours (total fail on taking any pictures there!). Just a lovely little Christmas. Quaint, relaxing, nothing overly stimulating. But I went to bed happy and loved. so I'd say it was a success! Now I bet you're all gearing up for the New Year and I'm ready for it too! 2014 was not a bad year, tons of changes and it flew by in a snap. But I'm pretty sure 2015 is going to bring even more changes (good, bad, different), I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
So tell me:
+ Of course I have to ask, what did you get for Christmas!?
+ Are you still in Christmas mode? Yes and without shame! I'm still singing along to Christmas music (Spotify), watching Christmas Movies (Hallmark), and gingerbreading it up (you'll see on Tuesday)!
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kimmythevegan
Catching up on your blog... took a little holiday break ;p
So glad you had such a nice Christmas Rebecca! It looks like you had a wonderful time spent with family. And it looks like you got some great & thoughtful gifts. The bracelet your dad got you is beautiful =)
I was in holiday mode until a few days into January, feeling more like January now...
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I always love seeing your comments come in bulk in my notifications!
Thank you and I hope your holidays were everything you wanted and full of love!
I'm feelin' the January saddness now too :/
Nina
Beautiful pictures of your lovely little Christmas and sweet family! Thanks for sharing with your readers. Stopping by from the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop at Katherine's Corner. Hope to connect with you again soon at the hop! Nina @ Vintage Mama's Cottage
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Nina!
Amanda
I always feel like Christmas extends through at least the 1st of the year if not a little bit longer ;). Looks like you had a great holiday with all of your family. Thank you for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I will always believe that it does 😉
Thanks Amanda 🙂
micupoftea
p.s. We continue to celebrate Christmas until Jan 6, Epiphany...so enjoy Christmas as long as you choose to 🙂
micupoftea
Visiting from Freedom Fridays- looks like you had a lovely time with family. The bracelet from our Dad is special. I've made those cinnamon ornaments too- they smell wonderful. Happy New Year 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!
I still have a few ornaments left and they are in my room making it smell like Christmas!
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts
What a lovely Christmas you had! That's so wonderful, Rebecca. Happy New Year!
xo,
Shirley
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! Happy New Year to you and your family! XOXO
Joanne Viola
I enjoyed seeing your photos. Looks like a very sweet Christmas to me! And I love the bracelet your dad gave you! As for us, we usually leave our tree up till right after New Year's. This time around, I hate to admit I took it down yesterday. Just too much going on right now to leave it up any longer. May you have a wonderful New Year's!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Joanne!
O...that's sad 🙁 Well I hope you have a good New Year!
Lacy Wade
Looks like you had a wonderful holiday! I'm jealous of the lighting equipment you received! 😉 Our Christmas was fun and full of love (plus some bouts of the flu - yuck!) too. I'm ready for a fun NYE now though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It makes me feel like a "professional" now.....or at least with the potential of being one! Haha!
O no! Well I hope everyone is healed up for a rockin' new year! XOXO
Linda @ Veganosity
Thank you for sharing your Christmas experience Rebecca! I love the family photos, everyone looks so happy to be together. I love the bracelet your dad gave you, it's so pretty, and holds such special meaning for you. Have a Happy New Year!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Linda 🙂 I was blessed with such a wonderful family!
Happy healthy beautiful new year to you as well my dear friend!
kat harris
Love you had a great christmas!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Kat!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
Looks like a wonderful Christmas! Love the dog stocking, such a lovely bracelet! Your little cousins are such cutie pies :). Happy New Year!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Joy!
Haha, the little ones are so cute! It's weird not being the "kids" in the family during our Celebrations anymore!
Hayley
Looks like such a lovely christmas! So happy for you girlie! I am still kinda in christmas mode...I never wanna take down my tree! But I have started to listen to non christmas music and movies!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Hayley!
Ah no way! I am watching Hallmark till the end!
Kelly
You did have a lovely little Christmas. 🙂 That bracelet is beautiful. What a wonderful connection to your dad. I'm done with Christmas...onto eager anticipation of 2015. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Kelly! At least this was a nice way to end 2014!
Sharon Rowe
Hi I am popping over from How To Get Organized At Home, I just want to say thank you for sharing this is a great post with some very lovely pictures, thanks again for sharing:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Sharon!
Erin
So cute! I'm definitely still in Christmas mode. Well, more so vacation mode! I'm not ready to be back at work. It looks like you had an amazing Christmas!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Erin!
Haha, we have to save that "mode" for as along as we can, right?
Alanna
Stockings are the BEST. Glad you had a nice Christmas with the family. There were lots of changes in 2014 for me, but I am SO ready for 2015 🙂 Have a wonderful New Year!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, they are!
Yes, I am too! A new year is always welcome!
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
My Christmas gifts were quite eclectic this year...in the best of ways. I got random things like a first aid kit and 2 flashlights (my danger prone nature has become extremely evident to the parents since I started college), some 86% chocolate squares, yoga socks, a bunch of antique spoons (plus one that says "Wanna Spoon?" --> my fave!!) and a pen of my late grandfather's that has his name engraved on it. Was a simple Christmas, but definitely one of the best!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The unique Christmases are the ones to remember! Glad to hear you had a good one! XOXO
Rachel
It sounds like a wonderful Christmas! Christmas is still on here for me as well. I actually still have two wrapped gifts under the tree for my mom and her husband since they were in Florida for Christmas.
My husband got me a satellite radio subscription and a tea maker, perfect gifts that I would never have thought to ask for.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, Christmas totally has to keep going on then!
Sometimes the best gifts we receive are the ones we don't ask for!
Zoe Diaz-McLeese
Merry Christmas! It sounds like a wonderful Christmas you had. Mine was pretty casual with my parents (they were both sick, so we just chilled and kept it really low-key).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Keeping things low-key is always perfect though! You can't have a bad Christmas when you just relax and soak in each other's company! XOXO
Rebecca
Merry Christmas-still. I agree, it lasts through December 🙂 Looks like you had a wonderful time at home with family that's the best!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
I'm glad you had such a wonderful Christmas! You definitely raked it in, so many awesome goodies! And your dog stocking is definitely too cute to ever give up 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Sonali! Haha, yes I did!
Love that stocking with all my heart!
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet
I got several cases of Sports Beans for my long runs. Nowhere by me sells them, so now I'm set for awhile! Those sound like great cooking gifts you got! One of my cousins got a breakfast sandwich maker, and I'm considering getting one of my own. I think I've turned into an old person where kitchen gifts are the best!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No way girl! Cooking gifts and appliances are the best! You can actually USE them and make delicious things for EVERYONE to enjoy 😉 The gift that is a gift to everyone, haha!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl
SO many gorgeous Christmas trees! Even though Christmas is over, they still make me happy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can't looks at a Christmas tree with a frown 😉
Isabella @ LaBellaVidaDesign
Lovely family photos! I am in love with the bracelet, by the way!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Isabella!
Lisa @ RunWiki
Oh my goodness- I love the bracelet your father gave.. I must admit, it made me get emotional-- that is such a sweet gift. I think it's funny that so many of us get blogging related items as gifts. I guess it makes sense since that's were we spend a good chunk of time. I received a new blog design (you saw that) and an online photography class ( looking forward to that) it was a quiet and light Christmas for us... just the way I like it. Looks like yours was fabulous, thank you for sharing with us. Enjoy this day! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
My dad always surprises me with these sweet little gestures!
Haha, since really all I care about now as an "adult" my wishlist is always just cooking stuff/blog stuff/ or fitness stuff! All of that and I am happy 100%! I totally could use a photography class though! Still after all these years (even taking photography through high school!) I really don't know how to use my camera! (It's never on manual!)
XOXOXOXO
Lisa @ RunWiki
What are you talking about ?!-- Your pictures are gorgeous! I have to take the class to be like you someday! muah xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, well thank you Lisa! You are way to sweet 😉
Natalie
I love all the pictures, sounds like an amazing family-filled holiday! That waffle maker and donut pan...the possibilities...!!
I've been shopping for photography lights too (tired of fighting the crappy apartment lighting) as a little post-Christmas present from my parents, so yeah I guess it does still feel a bit like Christmas 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I'm overwhelmed by the possibilities! Hahaha!
Even though I have no idea how to "use" these lights, I think it may just be the biggest solution to my never-ending photography struggle!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
What a wonderful Christmas! Spending it with family is the best! I am still completely in Christmas mode. As long as the Christmas tree is still up, I will be in Christmas mode!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I declare it be Christmas mode ALL year! 2015, the year of the never-ending Christmas joy!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
Sounds like a plan to me! 😉
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Sounds like you got some really amazing gifts! I love all the family photos. It's such a good feeling to be surrounded by family after being away at school. Enjoy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It was! I normally don't see them often, but this time it felt like I hadn't seen them for an even longer time! I really enjoyed it! XOXO
Jen
Wow, what a beautiful family you have there! I see why you want to extend the holiday - sometimes I don't want it to end either (this year is an exception to that). There was some awesome gift giving going on! Totally jealous of the studio umbrella light but my favorite of all your gifts is the bracelet from your Dad. That is SO sweet. I'm so glad to see you and your family had such a lovely holiday and I wish you a happy and healthy new year.
Jen
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Jen! I hope you had a good holiday too though!
I am in love with the bracelet! It is going to be worn everyday 😉
Happy New Year to you and your family as well my friend! XOXO
Emily @My Healthyish Life
That studio light is so cool! Very professional 🙂 I'm so glad you had an awesome Christmas! Mine was simple and homey (we didn't get out of pajamas!) but pretty perfect.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
There are 3 of the lights! (They came with a case, thank god, but I don't plan on taking them down every time! Haha! I'll just keep them in the unused living room!
Staying in PJs is all the better! Relaxation and comfort = the best Christmas!
Jennifer F
awww, love the bracelet == dads are so sweet (including mine)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Haha, yes 😉 The big softies 😉
Annmarie
Looks like you had a fantastic Christmas! Love all the awesome pictures of your family 🙂 My tree will be staying up as well- probably until next weekend, haha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I so did! Thanks Annmarie!
I'm banking on keeping everything up until I go back to school so I don't have to see the sadness! Haha!
Farrah
I'm not ready for Christmas to be over yet (even though school insists otherwise 😛 ), so I shall happily join you in said denial! 😛
I love your Christmas tree! <3 It's super pretty, and hooray for getting to meet your baby cousin!
Hooray for your dehydrator! <3 (I really need to use mine more often...) + the rest of your gifts look awesome! :] That bracelet is beautiful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Christmas isn't over until I SAY it's over, hahahahaha!
Thank you Farrah!
O my gosh! Get using that dehydrator! It is so much fun! (Even though it doesn't give you "instant" gratification..but the waits are worth it!