It's the most wonderful time of the year

We got back from our honeymoon a few days before Christmas, so we had to make sure that we had all of our shopping and decorating done at the beginning of December. It was a lot of fun decorating the house for the first time as a married couple :-) I went shopping with Brandon's mom and she bought us some garland and quite a few decorations! I also bought a handmade stocking hanger with our last name on it (from Etsy of course) and some Christmas blocks. I love, love this house at Christmas time. The fireplace might just be my favorite part about it!









We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at my parent's house in Tenaja. We had a really great time!





I loved my mom's table settings! The little mittens as silverware holders were too cute!





mmmmm, El Gordito for Christmas Eve dinner -- our favorite!!





My dad had a good time passing out presents :-)



After dinner and presents, we hung out by the fire and watched movies and ate way too many Christmas cookies. The next morning (Christmas morning) we went to my aunt and uncle's house for our traditional pajama pancake breakfast. They cook breakfast and we open presents over there. Afterwards, we went and saw True Grit with my mom and dad, and aunt and uncle. We all LOVED it! Then it was time for Brandon and I to make our way back home. We started a fire at home, and watched It's a Wonderful Life. I forgot to mention that Brandon bought me a new lens for our camera and an engraved silver ornament with our names and the date and "Our First Christmas." I think that's my favorite present so far :-) I got him an electric shaver, some clothes and a movie. We had a great first Christmas as a married couple!

Honeymoon!!

Well, after patiently waiting two long months,

it was finally time to leave on our honeymoon!

When you marry a law student mid-semester you realize

you're going to have to wait until winter break to take your honeymoon.

We spent a week in Riviera Maya

which is about 20 miles outside of Cancun.

It was hard to stop grinning when we pulled up in front of the adult-only, all-inclusive resort.

We were greeted by a bell man who took our suitcases

and handed us a cool towel to wipe our hands with.

As he escorted us into the lobby, he stopped to pour us some champagne while we got checked in.

We then followed the bell man to our room.

We got quite the tour of the different restaurants and bars

{8 restaurants, 10 bars}

on our way to the room.

It was cute to see a honeymoon banner outside of our door,

and even more cute to see two swans made of towels on the bed with rose petals.

We were so excited about the jacuzzi tub in the middle of the room,

the view of one of the amazing pools,

and the champagne chilling on ice next to the bowl of fresh fruit.

We were starving and wasted no time ordering room service!

Instead of a play by play of the entire trip,

I thought I'd share some highlights and some pictures.

1. I tried my first lobster -- and liked it.

2. I learned to play chess, and still haven't beat Brandon.

3. I had plenty of drinks aside from Diet Coke! Margaritas, pina coladas, mojitos, martinis.

Brandon was impressed and so was I.

4. We got a massage and facial at the amazing spa.

5. We took a bike ride to Puerto Morales

{a little fishing town a few miles from the resort.}

We had to wear orange vests and helmets, which made it that much more romantic.

6. We visited Tulum - an ancient site of Mayan ruins.

The site is on a cliff, over-looking the ocean and it was absolutely beautiful.

7. We each read several books

and layed in the sun 75 percent of the time we were there.

View from our room

We definitely took advantage of room service, and yes, that is a Christmas tree. It was December.

We had to stream the Charger game of course

Teaching me chess

After our couple's massage and facial

The spa was massive

Tulum - site of ancient mayan ruins on a cliff overlooking the ocean

dinner on the beach

My first time trying lobster! Don't mind the hair in my face - it was windy!

xo,