Feliz Navidid con mi familia!

The best part about Christmas is the lasting memories with family.

I won't argue that finding creative gifts to give one another can always be fun - but this year - we scratched the gift giving and voted to spend a week together - cruise style.

Have you been on a cruise before?

It was my first time. I'm going back.

We left from New Orleans and were gone for seven days.

Bags packed? Check.

Monday - at sea all day. We enjoyed hot tubbing, the running track on deck 13, family pictionary, catch phrase, movies, karioke, entertainment shows, and ice cream at every meal.

Tuesday - Mayan Ruins (Costa Maya, Mexico).

Wednesday - Ziplining and beach day (Raton, Honduras). I was throwing up during the night due to food poisoning, but I managed to feel better just in time to enjoy this...

Thursday - Cave Tubing (Belize). (No photo of this event as no one had a waterproof camera!)

Friday - Snorkeling and shopping (Cozumel). Everyone was jealous of my pink flippers. ;)

Saturday - at sea all day. Maybe we all got a little sea sick and went to bed early on Christmas afternoon.

This was definitely a Christmas I'll never forget. Ever.

P. S. This little boy was a champ. And Santa found him!

So much happy on my birthday!

Ask me how old I am now.

27!

What does that mean? I don't know. I've been asking everyone. I'm already excited to be this age and I had quite the birthday weekend celebration.

On Thursday, I saw WICKED for the first time. I loved it. My favorite line and new motto? Dancing through life.

On Friday, I walked into work to this surprise from my co-workers. They decorated my cubical and brought lots of yummy snacks to munch on throughout the day.

On Saturday morning, I enjoyed brunch at the Bongo Room. I had the pretzel pancakes with white chocolate and carmel.

Brunch was followed by a mani and pedi.

I spent the evening with my friends for dinner at Zapatista for Mexican food. Feliz Cumpleanos a mi!

I also heard from so many family members and friends.

I love happy birthdays.

I love sharing my birthday with her....

xo xo xo.

Oh hey, holidays - you're here!

My parents did come to Chicago for Thanksgiving!

And it was beyond memorable!

Since December seemed to come and go way to quickly last year, I've made an early start on the holiday events around the city so I won't miss a thing...

A children's choir sang in front of the bean last night and then we went ice skating in Millennium Park!

Our little Christmas tree is up! His simplicity fills our home with such Christmas cheer!

That reminds me, I need to hang the mistletoe.