Oh the weather outside is frightful...

but this Christmas season has been so delightful!

so i am weeks behind in my updates! life has been hectic...we are squeezing a lot onto our plates!

so...let's get to the holiday goodies!
the floods hosted a dinner party about two weeks ago! the 2nd annual. we had a blast hangin' with friends, eating a great meal & a fun white elephant couples gift exchange!

Check out Lindsey's gorgeous holiday decor! don't you love that old window with the wreath? i do! i do!



Anyone need a good laugh? the photo above is just a teaser...jump over the Lindsey's blog to check out the video that goes with this photo! Laugh OUT Loud funny!!

thanks linds & justin for a fantastic holiday get together!

NEXT UP...
Anna's amazing photography show at long beach state! it was her final project before she graduated! Congratulations Anna...you did an amazing job!

the artist (anna), chatting with her professor

the gang (jason, me, anna, my mom & dad) taking a pic in front of her work.
jer was still out of town shooting his new T.V. show...he was SUPER missed!

a close up of one of her shots. she did her project observing people in line. each photo was taken in a different setting but all of people in line. her artist statement was awesome & really made you think about each individual standing in line. So cool...
Love ya Anna!!

Christmas Eve & Christmas...

jason & i hosted our families for christmas eve. this was our first holiday we have EVER hosted. slightly nerve racking. our house wasn't feeling very festive because we had decided to not get a tree & i have been so busy that i only pulled out a couple of decorations...that quickly changed when we realized we would be having guests.

we got a tree. and yes, brought it home in the back of jason's convertible. only in california!

i went to the LA flower mart...finally...for some gorgeous floral decor! i have been wanting to go for years. best part...it so wasn't a disappointment. i am now addicted.

and some fun festive touches in the house including garland with ornaments & lights on the banister (not pictured).

and of course got some great rentals from a little event rental company that we like to use to enhance the scrumptious flowers.

yes, we are losers...total losers! we didn't take any pictures of the guests that night. hosting & being the photographer is a BIG task. we are still working on mastering it!

AND again...we are losers...Christmas Day photos you ask? you won't be seeing any from our camera. why you ask? because we didn't bring the camera to my parents' house. we spent the day with them, jer, anna, my grandma & grandpa AND the newlyweds...Geoff & Marcia Graham.

we stayed until 1:40am playing games, laughing and telling stories! such a blast. we walked out to ice on the cars...so much so...my back door got stuck from the ice! NUTS...especially for california!

i hope you all had a splendid Christmas season! Merry Christmas to you & yours!
xo!

We've Been Blogged!

as some of you already know, we took our engagement pictures a little over a month ago! well, our photographer, ryan has blogged us! here are a couple of my favorites from our day (courtesy of ryan's blog)! we are super excited for him to shoot our wedding...he is oh so talented!

'Tis the Season...

...for family traditions!

growing up we always had a fantastic time during the holidays. jer & i would search for our gifts in our parents closest. i'm not so good with surprises! we would go for a drive or walk to look at christmas lights. waking up for school in a warm house, just the christmas lights on the tree adding a beautiful glow & christmas music playing softly in the background (thanks mom..that's one of my favs). who could forget our christmas movie tradition...christmas vacation! if you haven't seen it...you must! it is a totally imperfect holiday that is truly priceless!

jason & i have been getting in the spirit whenever we can (work is keeping us busy). what have we done so far you ask?

saw handel's messiah at the orange county performing arts center.
checked out some amazing christmas lights in redondo beach! a big thanks to sarah & rory! we had a blast drinking hot chocolate & taking in the gorgeous houses & lights with you guys!


a new tradition - my mom & i decorated her gorgeous new mantel & tree! (i will post photos soon!)
and jason & i have watched christmas vacation & elf!

more holiday cheer coming soon...
a holiday dinner with friends at the Flood's. (2nd annual...so fun)
christmas eve dinner at our house for jason's family & mine.
and christmas...of course!

what is your family up to this holiday season?

Prayer Request

natalie's (my cousin Elton's wife...but i think of her as my cousin) 2-year-old nephew, Russell, was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma called Burkitt Lyphoma this past Tuesday and began chemotherapy on Thanksgiving. She has created a blog to keep family & friends informed and as an avenue for folks to leave comments for natalie's sister (Leslie) and her husband (Jeff) as they endure the coming months!

Please feel free to visit his blog & learn more about his journey!

From Aunt Natalie -
"Here is one of my favorite pics of little Russell on Thanksgiving Day when he wasn't feeling too well after his biopsy, spinal tap & bone marrow sampling, but was sleeping soundly....Baby Jaguar is standing guard!"

today & over the next months, i ask for your thoughts & prayers. i know that most of you reading this blog don't know Russell, Leslie or Jeff but i believe prayer is such a powerful way to promote healing & to bring lives together. please, take some time out this holiday season to send your thoughts, love & prayer to this amazing family!