Holiday Round-Up + December Recap

I don't want Christmas to be over! This whole month has been filled with so many much-needed moments with family and friends. Especially as we all keep getting busier and busier, this is the one month of the year where I know I'll get to hang out with everyone at least once, if not more. And that makes me so happy! Along with gift-giving (and receiving!), good food (lots & lots), laughter and catching up. I can't help but want the rest of this week to go by very, very slowly. 

(1) Every year Carina, Loren and I drive down to our college roommate's annual holiday party. We've been doing this since college with no intention of stopping! (2) Alexa and I at our pre-Christmas dinner. We had lobster roll and swapped gifts. 
(3) Estelle and I have our own little Christmas tradition of getting dinner and buying each other a book (or two plus other little things). Picking out a book gets harder every year, which is part of the fun, and we both chose ones that were under-the-radar (she got me Life in Outer Space!). Plus I always looking forward to seeing her beautiful handmade cards. (4) More tradition! This is from my annual holiday dinner with the BFFs. We went to this French bistro, had some really great food and exchanged presents at Carina's apartment. 
(5) Christmas morning. After I got all my gifts ready to take to my parents house, I couldn't help but admire my tree and the lovely cards I received. (6) Christmas day celebration! SO. MUCH. FOOD.
(7) With my Mommy, grandmother and cousin. (Those red velvet cupcakes were made by yours truly.) (8) With my cousin's girlfriend who is pretty much a part of the family. I love this picture. 
(9) The cousins + nephews + niece. My favorite picture from the night. We took this right after doing our Secret Santa exchange which was SO much fun. I love seeing the looks on everyone's faces when they saw who had them and when they opened their gifts. Afterwards, we played games and had an impromptu caroling session. (10) Showing off their Baymax toys. (I think I should watch this movie.)
(11) The ladies. I think the four of us make sure to take at least one picture at every family event. (12) The guys. They were all, "what about us?" after took our photo so it seemed only fair!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Now onto the recap...


Now that you know what my holidays have been like (which basically felt like the entire month!), here's what December has been like on the blog: 

Book Reviews

LOVEDPrincess of Thorns by Stacey JayIn the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds, #3) by Alexandra Bracken

REALLY LIKED / Starstruck by Rachel ShukertSteal the North by Heather Brittain Bergstrom100 Sideways Miles by Andrew SmithTake Me On (Pushing the Limits, #4) by Katie McGarry, Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. ArmentroutDangerous Girls by Abigail HaasNowhere But Home by Liza Palmer

I LIKED IT / No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin BrownZodiac by Romina Russell

... Everything Else

BOOKISHStacking the Shelves (17)Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2015BookBags (21): Winter Edition, End of Year Book Survey 2014, Short & Sweet (2)

Hope you all are having a great December + 
Happy Holidays!

1 comment

  1. I love the holiday season for the exact same reason! It's always such a treat to be able to get together with family and friends during such a festive time. I also really love planning and exchanging presents! Loved seeing photos of how you spent your holidays (though it made me miss celebrating with my extended family loads). (Oh, and PS - You should TOTALLY watch Big Hero 6. Such a great film!)

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with love,

Rachel