Christmas, New Year's etc.

Our holiday season began as soon as finals were over. John got to take his finals a week early because he had a military training thing during finals. I was home alone during finals week, but in some ways it was good because I didn't have to many distractions. After my last final my best friend BK and I went to our other best friend, Cassie, graduation. It really made me want to be done with school, but I still have a year or so left. We were supposed to go to another friend's graduation party that weekend, but lucky us we both got sick. John was much more sick than I was. Fortunately we both recovered, but John has been slower to recover than I have.

Me, Cass, and BK after Cass' graduation

Once feeling better we helped my sisters decorate the REAL Christmas tree at my dad's house. We got John to actually take a few pictures by guilting him into them. We finished our Christmas shopping with a few days to spare. I let John help me wrap this year, which was difficult for me. I am admittedly an obsessive wrapper. The ends on the paper must match and be folded down both directions. John folds down one side and pulls the other to the underside of the box. I also will tape the paper to the box with exactly three pieces of tape. I enjoy using ribbon and bows. John of course loves watching me concentrate and spend ten minutes wrapping a present that his niece can open in five seconds. He gives me a hard time, but he did try to follow my directions a little better because he didn't want me to re wrap the presents he wrapped. I know it's weird and a little obsessive compulsive, but if that's my one vice I think I'll be okay.

All the Sisters

Classic Hannah and Samantha Faces

John Finally giving us a good smile

This year Christmas was fairly hectic. We woke up at 6 am to go to John's parent's house to open presents, ate breakfast, and then hustled back to my dad's to open presents. We  then hustled back to John's parents for dinner, and of course bustled our way back to my dad's house after to eat dinner again. Fortunately our parents only live like ten minutes apart, so that is a huge blessing and makes Christmas with both families possible.

John and I were attempting to make all of our Christmas gifts this year, but after I made two quilts for his nieces I said yea forget that haha. I would've loved to have made all the presents, but we just didn't have enough time this year. So instead of home made, fill the cockles of your heart with warmth and love presents, we went for useful presents. 

We got lots of gifts from family and Santa. Jen, John's sister, got Just Dance one and two from Santa and that was a big hit at the Lowe home. I managed to capture a hilarious video of John and his Dad dancing to Louie Louie, but I can't share this hilarity because John would kill me. I also captured Jo and Jen dancing. Jo only being three didn't really get the concept of the wii remote, so it was strapped very securely to her wrist. She would let go of it and spin in circles. She almost took out the cat at one point. She may not have been a high scorer, but girl can shake what her momma gave her.

We had a good Christmas with our family and lots of food. New Year's wasn't to exciting for us. We had some small family emergencies right before so most of John's family was out of town. My family had a small emergency also so we didn't have any big plans. Since most of John's family was out of town, John and his dad watched the New Year's Rockin Eve, while his 14 year old sister and I played makeup. We had our toast with sprite and kiss and then ended the evening.

We have a month off for Christmas vacation from school, and it's almost over. We have spent most of our break with family. Fortunately we both have great families that make us laugh and know how to have a good clean time. I've been spending most of my time with my sisters and John's super cute nieces, oh and John of course. Unfortunately school starts next week, but I'm looking forward to my classes. Hopefully the next semester can be as fun as this Christmas break has been.