Our First Christmas

I love the holiday season...I mean, who doesn't? It is such a special time of year when we get to spend lots of time with family and focus on Christ and his birth. I love the holiday cheer and spirit of Christmas all around. And even better, I love that I get 2 weeks off to enjoy it all. And to top it all off, this year was our very first Christmas together. It's crazy to think that just a year ago, we were both single. Lucky for me, Ryan took the last 2 weeks of the year off of work too, so we had a lot of time to spend together. 

We started it off with a visit to temple square for Jeff's birthday with the fam. It's always fun to see the beautiful lights and feel the Christmas spirit. We spent Christmas Eve with my family playing games and eating..of course. I am trying to start some of our own traditions, so we did open our fun Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve and read Luke 2. Being away from my parent's house on Christmas Eve for the first time was a big adjustment, but it was fun to be with my new amazing husband. On Christmas we got up and opened presents, and then went visiting the rest of the day. It was a good, fun, busy day!

At my house, the fun doesn't end with the end of Christmas Day. Christmas night is also my birthday eve. I did try to prepare Ryan for birthday week, but it's just something you have to experience for yourself. I turned the BIG 28. HOLY CRAP! It feels weird to say I'm 28, but what the heck, age is just a number. It was fun spending my birthday with my handsome husband and family and friends!

We went to good 'ole Sterling, Utah for a couple days before New Years to get some R&R and see the fam. It was nice and relaxing, and tons of fun to see my crazy family, as always.

During the whole 2 weeks we had off we had some adventures at the hospital and doctor's offices as well. Thanks to my awesome genes, I was blessed with a faulty gallbladder. I was the next female in line in the family to have to get it out. I was pretty miserable. But they took that dumb thing out last week and I am already feeling a lot better! Lucky for me, I have an amazing husband and family that took great care of me. And even though I missed out on most of the yummy holiday food and treats, I am happy to say I didn't gain any holiday weight this year.

So anyhoo, that's the rundown. Now for some pics...

I love to see the temple

Temple Square with the Hinton's

Jenn & Krissa Baby came to visit

We did our fair share of Christmas movie watching

Hinton Family Christmas Pyramid

Ryan and his presents Christmas morning

Our First Christmas

Jame and I rollerblading for my birthday

We cheered on our Packers!

And ended the holiday break at the hospital

Home Sweet Home

It's been a lot of fun the past few months making Ryan's bachelor pad our family home. After months of us dating and spending time at Ryan's house, it was an adjustment for me to think of it as mine. But, it didn't take me too long to dive in and start making it OUR home that we share together. The basketball hoop over the fireplace and the light saber over the bed didn't stay up long once I moved in. Ryan has been great to let me do whatever I want with the house. I have tried not to make it too girly, I mean, there are no pink walls (so far).

I've had a lot of fun making crafts and doing little projects to spice up the house without breaking the bank. Ryan and I have quickly learned how expensive decorating a home is. Luckily, Ryan had already purchased all the furniture and major things when he moved into our home a year ago, so I was able to use some of the money we got from our wedding on kitchen ware and decorations. We have done a lot of painting and re-arranging, and it's coming a long great.
We also have a list of some projects we'd like to get done this next year. I love having a home, it's so nice to have a place to call ours. It's also so nice to have the space to host our friends and family. The Hinton Hotel is open whenever you'd like to visit!

So, here's what we've done so far....

The family room...all decorated up for Christmas

The Master Bath

Our Master Bedroom 

The entryway area

The Half Bath

So, that's our home. We really love it and are so very grateful for it.
XOXO. Amanda