Christmas Joys!

As it turns out, when I'm on vaycay so is this little blog. Whoops. I have umpteen posts to write but I'll start with Christmas and probably work backwards (if I get that far). I still haven't posted about Cabo! Slacker of the year award. 

My VERY last Christmas before I become an Urbanovsky.  It's is SO exciting but I have to say, it's a little sad knowing that things will never be the same.  From now until forever we will have to plan where we spend holidays, whose parent's we see when, and travel for every holiday. But oh my goodness...how lucky are we to have families that we WANT to spend the holidays with.  If deciding how to split out time between two amazing families is the biggest problem we face I'd say we're doing alright.

Obviously I have no pictures from the festivities...gah, I suck.  

I did however take a pic of the sweet treats I took!

Red Velvet Cakeballs...I could literally eat that entire plate.

No need to list all the things I received for Christmas but here is one thing I am just L.O.V.E-ing...

A Lauren Elan friendship bracelet. Isn't it so cute! AND it's in my favorite fall colors! Such a sweet gift from Casey.  You can buy one for your bff here. I'm sure she'll love it as much as I do!

Another gift I am beyond excited about this year came from Mr. Santa himself...otherwise known as my soon-to-be father in law, Mr. Urbo. I have GOT to get y'all a pic of this man.  He's got the Santa act down pat. The beard, the belly, the rosy cheeks, even the sparkle in his eye.  It's the sweetest thing seeing children do a double take and smile. I am so upset "Santa" didn't make an appearance this year in kinder but time just got away from us.

Anyway...all 3 of his sons are getting married and I think it's pretty safe to say he loves the girls they chose. When Travis told me his dad wanted to take us (the girls) to pick out Christmas plates I was excited but didn't really think much of it.  Well, on Monday morning we woke up early to make it to Dillards for the after Christmas sales and I picked out a gift that will with out a doubt be one of my most cherished gifts ever received.  Beautiful Christmas china! 

We each picked out something different.  This is the pattern I chose:

Isn't it beautiful?! 

I CAN NOT WAIT to serve a Christmas dinner on it next year with my husband!

I was so excited to get it home and try it out with my Grandma Doll's silver handed down to me.

It's absolutely perfect! (Even though the silver is tarnished as all get out at the moment!)

Sounds silly, but I wrote a little note about the gift and tucked it in  with the plates.  I love running across handwritten memos about particular items! My Grandma Doll was super about this, she has detailed notes and the original receipts for almost every important item purchased.  I figured now is a good a time as any to get started! If I wait until I'm 8o I'd never get done! Do y'all do this? You should! One day our grandchildren will thank you!

This was such a generous gift and it will always be such a special part of our families Christmas tradition! 

Speaking of traditions...talking about ones we would like to start with our family is one of my most favorite convo's to share with Mr. Trav! I love that we will be our own family of 2 next year! CRAZY!

In other news...

I helped Casey make these pillows for her MIL's Christmas gift and they turned out SO cute! I will def be recreating them for my house!  Love how simple pillows are and the impact they can make in a room! 

And I've been buying all kinds of fun things for me and Travis!

Address stamp for thank you notes. Love it!
Super awesome steel letters for our cake topper. The "&" is in the mail. Ahhh, BHLDN, I really do adore you.
And bookoo's of pretty Christmas ornaments!!  

Well, Christmas 2011 is officially over but I am all set for Christmas 2012 and chompin at the bit for it to get here. It will surely be the BEST one yet! SO much to look forward to!!

I hope each of you had a joyful Christmas full of merriment and happiness! 

To: Mandell Love: Santa

Dear Santa, 

When Travis asked me to be his wife he satisfied every single wish I could imagine. 

If by being his wife that also means we'll have six a few babies.

BUT...there's a few things that have been on my wish list for quite sometime and they're going to stay there until the day they become mine - if that day should ever happen.  If you and your little helpers want to whip these up at anytime between now and December 25, 2011 the end of my life, that'd be just super.

Here's just a few randoms...

I didn't include prices.  Your elves make all these goodies anyway, right?

We can start with these things:

First of all, how do I not already have this scarf? I've been wondering that for years.
Secondly, diamond studs...my ears want these BAD.
Next, a camera - ok, so I don't really need this until I have babies - we know picture taking rarely happens in my life.
Lastly, my future 18 year old daughter will need my Louis bag to start her freshman year at Tech.

From there let's head on to these...

I'll go ahead and take one of each color/style for both of these items.

Now here's some items I can never have to many of because they get lost of broken on the reg.

Lifetime supply, please and thank you. 

While we're in the giving spirit an unlimited expense account at each of these places would be very, very much appreciated.

And let's just go ahead and throw in some fur babies for good measure.

Goats that look like my Mill girl and puppies! Any large breed puppy will be accepted but Trav prefers retrievers. 

Hmmm....I can't really think of much else at the moment except maybe an awesome soccer football mom car big enough for all my cute boys I'm sure to have one day. Oh, and maybe my dream home eventually. But other than that can't think of a thing! 

Much love, 

           Mandell 

P.S. - I've been really good this year! Really, really good. 

P.P.S - I already have everything that I need and way, way more.