Traveling Light

The last couple days we were in Grass Valley in December, it snowed!  I had hoped and hoped that it would… and as fun as it was, I must admit that I was ready to return to sunny so cal when our visit was over. 

We spent Christmas with both of our families in Nor Cal this year.  Although it’s almost Valentine’s day, I wanted to be sure to include some pics :) It was fun to share in the traditions of our families, but most of all we enjoyed our time celebrating our Savior come to earth with each other.

When you’re a kid, it seems like it will take years for Christmas to come.  It’s amazing to see how they now seem to approach with ever increasing speed.  It’s my prayer that the same sense of awe and wonder from my childhood will only increase in the coming years as I rejoice in the Christ of Christmas all year through.

Watching star and Christmas tree shaped marshmallows melt in my hot chocolate.

Being with Justin as he studies for finals.

Seeing the box that held my engagement ring
when Justin proposed at Christmas time :)

For time spent with family and friends.  I love the cooler weather, sipping hot chocolate, Christmas music, baking cookies, and focusing on the gift of our Savior’s birth.  We were blessed with the opportunity to spend the weekend with Justin’s family.  His dad and mom went to The Getty Center with us.  What an amazing view of Los Angles complete with a sun-dazzled ocean in the background!

On Saturday, signs of the season were all around us at the annual Master’s College Christmas concert.  Justin’s brother, Micah, is in the choir (he was a wiseman in the nativity scene).  It was an evening filled with fun, raspberry drizzled cheesecake :) and songs focused on Christ’s coming to earth.

We so enjoyed the time with our families celebrating Thanksgiving. I was reminded as I looked around the table on Thursday, of the precious gift of my husband and the family the Lord has given me.

Friday found us facing the crowds and taking part in a day-after-Thanksgiving shopping adventure. We had a blast and enjoyed some nice warm coffee and bagles with lots of laughter (after a good four hours of shopping).

I love taking pictures that capture fond memories to look back upon as I think of all the blessings God has placed in my life.