Forcing Christmas

I love Christmas. Not like, "Oh what a fun time of year, I like presents, blah, blah, blah," but I FREAKING love Christmas. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Christmas season for me and my family. We have a lot of traditions, as Chris is beginning to grasp. We kick it all off with our annual viewing of "White Christmas" on Thanksgiving. Now, when I watch "White Christmas" with my immediate family, we are obnoxious as hell, commenting on the same exact things, at the same exact time, every year. Chris is still learning the stimulating plot line along with the required commentary, but I'm considering writing cue cards with these comments for next year to make it easier.

Early in our relationship (probably like our second date. I'm serious about this holiday), Chris and I discussed Christmas preferences. Conversation probably went like this, "Chris--so you know I want to get married as soon as possible and I like multi-colored lights on my Christmas tree. What kind of lights do you like?" (If you know me at all, you are laughing your ass off right now, just so ya know.) Well, much to my dismay, my future husband likes white lights! No worries, I showed him the light. Enter stage left, our beautiful, gaudy, multi-colored, tinsel covered, glorious tree.

Look at me compromising...it has colored lights AND white lights. :)

Snowy Turkey Day

The week of Thanksgiving came with lots of food and lots of snow. All in all about 10 inches, making for beautiful scenery, you know from inside. We ventured out for a little exercise one snowy day. Unfortunately, Chris left his boots outside this summer, so he had to wear running shoes and those sightly sweatpants on our walk. Don't worry, no frostbite.

Our Olive just loves the snow. She snow plows with her snout, ending up with a Santa type snow beard. It is nearly impossible to capture on camera, but I'm still working on it.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with our dear friends, Charlotte and Troy. Lucky for Charlotte, she had to work Thanksgiving day and came home to three half drunk party guests. We some how made dinner come together and it was mighty tasty. Macaroni and cheese was added to the menu this year, along with our usual turkey, cranberries, potatoes, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, brocolli casserole, waldorf salad, and crescent rolls. All this for four people. It gives me indigestion just thinking about it. We all better start having some kids soon so we can spread the deliciousness wealth a little more.

Doing what we do best...

This time of year (who are we kidding? All times of year), we enjoy a cocktail. However, this time of year we enjoy the flavors of the season in cocktails-cranberry, pomegranate, orange, grapefruit, mint-leaving us to experimentation of the best type. Tonight, we tried a concoction presented to us my my brother's girlfriend, Morgan. Muddled fresh cranberries, vodka and a splash of sparkling wine. Pretty yummy. Next time, I think we'll add some orange, too.

Cranberry Mojitos, Cranberry Margaritas, and of course pomegranate cosmos. Cocktails, anyone?

The Ambrose Family

Ahhhh! I changed my name legally today. Hit the DMV and Social Security Office early with some of Spokane's finest and managed to get in and out of both places in 15 minutes. Which is actually pretty scary. At the social security office they didn't even ask to see ID.
For the record, I dropped my middle name, moved my maiden name to the middle, and took Chris's last name. But I feel myself torn--As my best friend Charlotte pointed out today, our parents thought about our birth names, how they sound, what kind of person that would make us, and I just threw that away without even showing identification. I know, I know...my family will still know me as Sara Lynn, and it's not like they'll stop calling me that now, but I am no longer Sara L. when signing. As sad as I am to see Lynn go, I'm glad I held tight to my maiden name, and I still get to sign a B. in the middle. I just love the letter B.

Today, Chris also got his USAA member number. And I'm beginning to think that was one of his top three reasons for marrying me. :)

Sadie, Sadie, Married lady

Aww...Married

Yeah, it was fun.

We did it! After 8 months of preparation, the wedding and reception went off with out a hitch. Our ceremony, performed by Chris's "uncle" Dick, was lovely and intimate, and the reception was a great time. We feel so blessed to have been surrounded by our closest family and friends. Here's a few photo nuggets from our disposables....

Chris's mom, Jane, hosted a great rehearsal dinner, and here she is with his Grandma Martha.

My dad, Tim, giving his sweet toast

More pics to come.

Almost a family...

Here I am, sitting on the couch, five days before our wedding. I'm so happy I was able to take this whole week off of work, but I find myself mentally overwhelmed with the tasks to come. Make a list, you say? Done. I suppose it is not really the items on the list, or the "things" as some may say, but the event, the logistics, and the realization that I will be a wife, spouse, and companion to a man that I couldn't imagine ever entering my life until he was actually here.

If wedding planning hasn't taught me organization, I don't know what will. I am currently surrounded by checklists, binders, and contracts. I can't seem to tear myself away from wedding shows (Say Yes to the Dress this instant) and I'm an emotional wreck, laughing one minute and crying another. Very similar to the evening before my comprehensive exams in graduate school.

So I will leave myself with some advice: No matter what happens in the next week, all will be perfect because Chris and I will be married. We will be a unit and a family. Here, we will share our journey!