Christmas Week In Review

Christmas is very busy for Will and I. Since, we do not live in the same town as either one of our families we have to split the Christmas and New Year holidays. We always spend Christmas week with my family in Northern Virginia and the week of New Year's with Will's family.

On Tuesday, December 20, we embarked on our annual trip to see my family. We spent all week there until today, the day after Christmas visiting with them. Throughout the week, we were so busy that I was not able to update all our adventures. However, now we are home for the night before leaving again tomorrow to with visit my husband's family. So here is the Christmas week in review.

Last week, we really enjoyed our time visitng with my parents and brother Bryan. Everyday, we went out to lunch and dinner and ate really well. On Wednesday, we decided to go shopping and visit one of my favorite towns, Shepherdstown, WVA. This little town has a soft spot in my heart since, I went to Shepherd University my first year of college. This is also the university where both my parents gradutated from and where Bryan currently is a Senior. 

Shepherd University Signature Building

Downtown Shepherdstown where there are many neat shops and restaurants

German Street in Shepherdstown

After shopping and walking around Shepherdstown we ended the evening at the Blue Moon Cafe. This is a local eatery that has delicious food. It is a must if ever in Shepherdstown. My brother, Bryan, performs at open mic night on Wednesday nights at this cafe. 

Blue Moon Cafe

For the rest of the week, we visited with many friends and family.  On Friday, we had dinner with my Uncle Lewis and Aunt Sharon at one of my favorite hometown restaurants, Roma Italian Eatery. It was such an enjoable night catching up with my Uncle and Aunt and having a nice dinner.

Roma Italian Eatery

On Saturday, Will and Bryan went to the last Washington Redskin home game. Will and I split Washington Redskin season tickets with my parents this season. This year was not a very enjoyable one to have these tickets since, they struggled as a team. However, being the dedicated fans we are we still went to all the games and continued to cheer them on each week. The last home game of the season ended with a loss but Will and Bryan enjoyed their day at FedEx Field while, my parents and I watched the sad game from home. We are hoping the 2012 season is much better than this years.

Our seats for the 2011-2012 Redskin Season

That evening, we all celebrated the Christmas Eve holiday with our annual dinner tradition of going to Ichiban which is a Japanese Steakhouse. This is a tradition that was started about 6 years ago when a blizzard prevented us from going to my grandparents house on Christmas Eve and was the only  restaurant open in town. Since, we have continued to go to this Japanese Steakhouse for Christmas Eve dinner.

My Grandma Wanda, Bryan and Will enjoying some hibachi 

My parents enjoying the evening

For Christmas, we all slept in and enjoyed the morning in our pajamas while waiting for everyone to wake up before opening any gifts. I am sure that this is all going to change in the next few years since we now have a little one on the way. 

Will, Bryan and I's gift piles from my parents

My mom was the last one to wake up on this Christmas morning. So, while we were waiting Bryan opened one of his gifts, a new guitar and played some Christmas songs.

Bryan playing "Christmas in Dixie"

This year, my parents gave us some nice surprises. They gave us a video camera so we can capture all of Harper's moments and an IPAD so we can Facetime with my them each evening. We received many other nice gifts but these were the ones that we know we are going to use the most in the upcoming years. Lilly also got many nice gifts this year. One of her favorites was this reindeer squeaky toy (pictured below) that she played with all day long.

Lilly and her reindeer gift

After opening all our gifts we enjoyed a very nice lunch made by my mom and Grandma Wanda. 

Christmas Dinner Spread

Christmas Table Setting

Will and I enjoying the holiday meal

Me before eating way too much food :)

Christmas Family Dinner

After dinner, we went to my grandparents house and visited with them for the evening. It was such a great way to end our Christmas trip to my hometown. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and to be able to spend this week with them. I cannot wait until next Christmas when Harper is able to be part of all of our Christmas traditions.

On our way home Lilly was so tired from the week that she fell asleep on Will's shoulder while he was driving.   

Lilly sleeping on Will on the way home

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!