Christmas & New Years

Welcoming our guests with Canadian cheer!

Christmas turned out to be one of the most relaxing, fun, and different Christmases I've ever had. Not spending it with family, although at times was sad, proved to a relief in the annual routine of gifts, breakfast, family coming over, dinner at another family member's house, then bed. It was the same every year so it was kind of fun to mix it up this time around! I've also never spent a Christmas away from my family, but I was so happy and thankful to spend it with some of Jon's. 

The warm weather lead to some rather un-Christmas-y activities, like hiking to waterfalls, mountains, and stopping by the beach a few times. If anything, I think this adds to my love of Victoria and this beautiful place, because at home I think they had snow around Christmas! I love being able to get away with just a jacket and a light scarf and hat (more for fashion than warmth). Along with our outdoors-y adventures, we also got to visit the new board game cafe in the city where we played "Ticket to Ride" and we also had a lovely Christmas dinner in our apartment.

Jon Mini-Niagra Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

Jack at the top of Mount Douglas

Jon and I on Beacon Hill Park's beach, surrounded by driftwood and seaweed

It was only a few days after they left until New Years Eve where Jon and I were invited to a Roaring 20's themed party. Even though it was fun getting dressed up and I don't think I've ever gone out before for New Years, I think we'll probably spend the night in next year. I loved spending time with my friends, but there was 200 other people in the place that made it crowded and hot. Ah well, Happy 2014!

Oh my!

Holiday Thoughts

While we have spent many Christmases together, this is me and Jon's first Christmas as a married couple, and our first Christmas we'll be spending all day with one another. Last year I went home for the holiday and Jon stayed in Boston to welcome Mr. Clemens into our lives, and the years before that we either split the day or spent it apart.  This year will be a happy, loving relief from wanting to see our families but also wanting to see each other because not only are we not going home, we're having some family coming to visit us! Jon's father and younger sister will be arriving on Sunday, and we anxiously anticipate their arrival!

This will be, by far, the most intimate Christmas I've ever had. My family is quite large, and each year I spent Christmas morning with my three siblings and two parents, were welcomed in the afternoon by my Mommom and my Aunt, and then all eight of us shuffled down a few avenues to my other Aunt's house for Christmas where we were greeted by anywhere between eight to twelve family members. I will miss my family sorely this year, but I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with Jon's family and showing them the city that has been becoming my home these last few months. 

In these last few days before Christmas, I have a lot to do (I have yet to do any gift shopping and have only written out half of my cards [and still haven't mailed the ones I wrote!]), but I feel more in "the spirit" of the holidays than ever before. I feel like we're making it our own and starting traditions that will be remembered for years to come.