Tap tap. Is this thing on?
::Blows dust off of keyboard::
Two weeks off was honestly such a surreal experience. It accomplished exactly what I was after: some time to truly disconnect and just be, as well as some time refocus, plan and my favorite, ORGANIZE for 2016. I am really excited for the coming year, but I can’t get ahead of myself. First, I want to show a little of what we’ve been up to the past 2 weeks!
Yes, yes I know that most of you have moved on from Christmas pictures to how to keep resolutions, but you don’t think I could resist the opportunity to show the internets solid proof that I’m an old lady right?!
Pure bliss.
Over the past two weeks I’ve felt a huge sense of WOW I DON’T HAVE TO TAKE ANY PICTURES.
Yet… somehow I’ve ended up with over 150. Narrowed down to 40ish. Narrowed down to… hopefully 12 or so to share in this post so I don’t lose any remaining readers.
So without further ado here’s a few of our holiday highlights!
The week before Christmas was a blur to be honest. So we’ll fast track to the morning of Christmas eve.
After a leisurely breakfast, we cleaned up the kitchen only to destroy it again. The whole family was in the kitchen. We listened and sang along to Christmas songs (Jingle Bells and Little Drummer Boy were favorites of the season this past year). The girls and I managed to salvage enough dough to manage a few cookies for St. Nick. David tackled the seafood gumbo for the evening. Koda set up camp at our feet on clean up duty.
The kitchen was chaotic, warm and the morning was everything that makes me happy.
That afternoon we pulled ourselves together for church, where Kaitlyn decided to forego the dress I had picked out for her (matching of course) with insistent toddler screams until I finally gave in. Who knew girls had wardrobe opinions so early on?!
After church we were all in jammies before the garage door closed and eating gumbo together minutes later.
Hailey took one look and said heyyyyy these are a lot of animals from the ocean!
I held my breath as David nodded to confirm her observation.
She took a bite.
Holy smokes. (Her new favorite phrase) Animals from the ocean are yummy! nomnomnomnom! (<– not for effect, she truly nom’d)
The stage was set, the girls went to bed and David and I popped open some vino and turned on Christmas Vacation while we waited for Santa.
We also committed child abuse (according to my mom) and set Hailey’s clock back 30 minutes.
Christmas morning was worth it though, as we all ended up in the living room at a reasonable 7:30 am. I’d like to say chaos ensued, but honestly, we have pretty orderly kids I guess, that preferred checking out and playing with 1 present at a time. No complaints here, as we let the morning stretch out. We snacked on breakfast casserole and let things unfold as they willed.
We facetimed and skyped with family, watched part of the Christmas day parade and made Bloody Marys at noon.
I loved everything about Christmas. None of us changed into real clothes the entire day.
After the girls went down, David finished up his rack of lamb two ways with a furry audience that got to sample everything.
I cared nothing about plating and we ended up eating our Christmas dinner standing and laughing at the kitchen island in our pjs.
And that was Christmas.
A few more blurry days and New Years eve arrived, along with David’s family.
They are a fun bunch and we filled our time with walks, chess games, marshmallow roasting and fireworks.
New Year’s eve’s sous vide filet turned out so incredible that I had to snap a picture.
Clearly I need to get back on my “make plates pretty” game for 2016, but mmm.
New Year’s day brought our traditional black-eyed peas, collards and tomatoes. And our annual photo to go with it.
And now here we are in a brand new year.
I’m recharged and ready.
I missed y’all.
…you guys?
Hello?
I’m hoping you’re still there because I’m excited to back and blogging. HELLO 2016!!!
What was your favorite holiday highlight from the past few weeks?
Catch me up on what happened with you!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
We stayed in our PJs all day on Christmas too! I loved how into it my son was this year – Santa, helping me with the baking, going to “big church” for the first time Christmas Eve. And just soaking up his last few days with him as an only child.
Brittany Dixon says
I can’t believe you’ll be a mom of two soon! Are you excited/nervous/ready?! I’m so excited for you 🙂
Katie says
Looks like a great couple of weeks! I was in bed at 10:30 on NYE but made up for it by going out to brunch on the 1st and 2nd. I watched all 18 episodes of boneheads, and just discovered all 10 season for BH 90210 are on hulu, so I know what I’ll be working through when I’m not at work or working out.
John J. says
What an energizing spirit filled beautiful springboard from Christmas to the New Year presentation! May 2016 be as wonderful as this past year for you, your family and ours!
Joanna says
Looks like your blogging hiatus was totally worth it! What are your girls standing on in the kitchen? My daughter loves to help me, and right now we just use a kitchen chair. No falls yet, but it’s not my favorite solution
Brittany Dixon says
It’s a stand that David built. He actually built another to take pictures and measurements but hasn’t been able to put it all together in a document yet!
Heather H says
I hope you are able to share it with us sometime – I am dying to get my hubby to build one or two for us too (although he could probably figure it out himself but would love something to go by!)
Jenny says
I was (embarrassing confession) so giddy to see your post in my inbox and rushed to read it. It looks like your Christmas and New Years were great!!! My son and I baked way too many cookies, spent time with family, and my son was 5 on New Year’s day. It is no longer NY to me….it’s his birthday!!! I got him a digital watch and I got a time update all….day….long. I loved it!!! And my daughter is all about my now after two weeks of too much mommy. Back to the real schedule now. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
You’re so sweet! That makes me so happy that someone missed me! 🙂 Happy birthday to your son- what a fun birthday to have! I love that he told you the time repeatedly, haha. Sounds like he was excited- well done on the gift mom!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a beautiful Christmas!
sherry says
Couldn’t wait to see your blog this morning—so fun and exciting. I love the idea of staying in PJs all day on Christmas. Maybe we will make that a new tradition.
Heather says
Looks like you had a wonderful 2 weeks off!
Christmas Day is my favorite… it’s chaotic, but we stay in our pajamas all day too and skype with my family. We have our traditional gingerbread pancake breakfast and try to get the kids to nap since they’re usually cranky after staying up way to late on Christmas Eve (yearly dinner with my in-laws).
Nadine says
Happy New Year!!
Hilary says
New Year’s Eve this year was for sure one to remember! I tried something new and went rock climbing, out to dinner at a new place and then spent the evening relaxing on the couch, I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday!
Kate says
Looks like a truly great Christmas and New Year’s.
We actually lucked out on New Year’s. Our son slept through all the fireworks – a miracle since we live in the city. And he slept till 6.30 – which in our world is sleeping in…! 😉
Great that your back – looking forward to your upcoming posts!
Ashley says
Was happy to hear and see all about your Christmas and New Years! Your girls are like family lol watching them grow up on the blog. Best wishes for 2016 and by the way you can never have to many pictures. I take way too many of my kids but I will never get those moments back. So keep snapping and posting.
Brynn says
What a great holiday celebration! Mine was fantastic; my sister had her little boy, so I am an aunt again! I spent a lot of time snuggling with him and making food for them.
Rebecca says
Sounds like a great Christmas! Can you tell me where you got the girls kitchen helper towers from (that was a mouth full!)? I’m definitely in the market for one for my little girl.
Kim @ Racing Bananas says
Looks like an amazing couple of weeks! Glad you had a chance to take a break and recharge! Happy 2016!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Oh, Kaitlin and the dress…when I was 18 mos old, my mom says I stood in front of my closet on my chubby little legs and said, “I don’t wear jeans” – it was not a comment or a request, it was a pronouncement. And I didn’t wear jeans until I was 8 years old! Always dresses and leggings. And although I have a lot of jeans in my closet from high school, I actually still don’t wear them much, dresses and skirts to work and leggings on weekends! So you never know what she might decide next…
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahahaha! I got the same dust buster (but in green!) One of the best gifts 😉
Madeline @ FoodFitandFam says
Looks like a PERFECT holiday friend! Your mom cracks me up … child abuse haha. And I LOVE your matching jackets!
Erica says
Happy to see you are back! I had a great first Christmas with little man. Excited for the new year, and new adventures in Alaska!
Whitney says
Glad you got some downtime on the books and also really glad you’re back! Happy new year to you and your beautiful family!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Sounds like you guys really made the most of your time together! That’s what it’s all about after all 🙂
My highlight was really just spending good quality time with family and friends – I have honestly haven’t laughed as much as I did over the last two weeks in so long! Wish there was a rewind button!
Cassie says
That sounds like a lovely Christmas! I try to narrow pictures down too. My Christmas is already a completely blur. New baby.
Julie says
We missed you too! I must admit I peeked at your blog a couple times over the holidays “just in case”. 😉 Looks like you all had a fabulous holiday. Glad to have you recharged & back to blogging!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I did the same, Julie! So glad to see a holiday recap from you Brittany! Loved seeing all of the festivities and delicious food. Wishing you all the best as we transition into this new year! 🙂
Amanda says
Ahhhh glad you are back! 🙂
Bailey says
Glad you’re back! Your holiday sounds wonderful 🙂 And that seafood gumbo looks AMAZING.
Christina says
So glad you are back! Your holiday looks like it was really special 🙂 Our Christmas was so wonderful and relaxing…we opened presents and then my daughter watched “Beauty and the Beast” which was the ONE thing she really wanted from Santa (Santa had a hard time finding it — darn Disney “vault”!) I spent a couple hours at Ikea on New Year’s Day, and feel ready to organize the house in 2016!!
Edye says
Looks like you had a splendid holiday! Have an amazing 2016 <3
Blessings,
Edye
CK says
Ok, I hate to be that person–but since you mentioned spellcheck, the phrase is “without further ado” (ado, as in fuss). “Adieu” means goodbye in French.
Brittany says
Well that’s embarrassing haha! Typical for my fresh start for a new year 😉 I went back and changed it. Thanks for the info!
Christine says
Your family it just way too adorable!Happy New Year! Looks like you had a great Christmas and New Year!
We got our son a tepee too, I think I love it more than he does! I have to ask, how is the B&D dust buster? I need a new one as my current dust buster has horrible battery life and I’m on the market! (Especially with a 14 month old who thinks it’s fun to stomp on gold fish crackers! We have a dog, but he’s picky at what he eats…yes they exist!)
Nothing crazy new with us – ready to get back on the fitness band wagon with a round of Whole30 this month. Also signed up for a May half marathon to jump start my running!
tanya says
Yes, this was the first time I opened my laptop in 2 weeks as well! it was really refreshing and I enjoyed every minute of it 🙂 I love your Christmas pictures! My son opened all of his presents within about 20 minutes. After that he had know clue where to start or what to play with first! It was a blast though 🙂
Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! says
It looks like such a wonderful holiday season for you! I definitely spent as much time as humanly possible in pajamas!
Shirlee says
Happy New Year!
Just wanted to say that your little ones are absolutely adorable and I applaud (loudly) you and your hubby spending Christmas Day all comfy and exactly the way you wanted to!
Lisa O says
Hurrah you’re back! Happy New Year, Brittany. We not only survived but had an absolute ball throughout our first family camping trip (with an almost-4-year-old and a 15-month-old!). It was pretty hot so we spent days by the beach, exploring caves, the best playgrounds in the area, eating the best ice cream in the world (Simmos!) and meeting new friends at the campsite. I feel like a new person after so much relaxing and fun, and completely ready to tackle all my big goals and new adventures 2016 has in store! Hope your year is wonderful too and look forward to reading more. Lisa xx
Mona says
Happy New Year!
I went home this year so the highlight was spending time with my family; I barely touched the phone and laptop, instead had fun and read a lot 🙂
Robin Salvador says
What a great way to spend the holiday season! Happy New Year!
Emily J says
I’m so happy you’re back!! I checked the blog everyday just to go, “DANG IT! ” Welcome back!!! The recipe page looks great too, is it newly done?! Hope you had an amazing, though warm- here in Illinois too 🙁 , holiday season!
Brittany Dixon says
Ahh I love that you checked it- so sweet!! I updated the recipe page a little while ago, but still want to give it some tweaks, so I appreciate the feedback 🙂
Lauren Brennan says
Hooray! You’re back! You were certainly missed!
Happy 2016!
Brittany Dixon says
Aw, thanks Lauren!! 🙂 Hope you had a great holiday season!