The holiday spirit continued for us over the weekend, as we decked the outside of the house with Christmas cheer. Our neighborhood has some incredible light displays – including one house who went all out with decorations everywhere – and so we were inspired to create our own unique assortment of tree lights, icicles, snowflakes and snowmen. I also picked up a couple of holiday signs on sale. We are now an official reindeer fuel stop.
It’s also “snowing” on the blog now! All the decorating started on Friday and went through last night. But before it all began, Bobby and I had dinner at True Food Kitchen with one of the first blog friends I ever met both online and in real life: Gina!
Our dinner was extra exciting because the Pilot and Liv were able to join us! They were all so lovely and fun in person. We had a great time chatting about life and the many things that have changed for us lately, including their newest member of the family. We look forward to seeing them again soon, especially now that I know that Tuscon is not nearly as far from Phoenix as I thought it was.
On Saturday night, Bobby and I attended a holiday party for our neighborhood, which was really cool. I didn’t take any pictures but it was great to meet some new people and Bobby even found a new tennis and ping pong partner. Success. 🙂 The next morning, I made my way up to the Benders for an early round of golf. The beautiful fall weather continues to amaze me – no clouds in sight.
After our round, we headed back to the house to watch the big rivalry game: Packers vs. Vikings.
We may both be from Minnesota, but Bobby and I have very different opinions on who is the most awesome team in the NFL. 😉 Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on if you’re Bobby), the Packers came out on top and gave Aaron Rodgers a nice birthday present. We’ll meet again at the end of the season, but until then I’ve got bragging rights!
Mama Bender made some delicious French onion soup to go with our game watching. The recipe is basically a French onion broth filled with a plethora of chopped onions and mushrooms, then heated and topped with the cheese of your choice.
We also had some more cheese (gouda and sharp cheddar), salami and crackers.
Plus a pumpkin ale for good measure. I need to stock up on these.
And since the majority of the pictures in this post are courtesy of Instagram, I had to share this:
CollegeHumor’s Favorite Funny Videos
I dare my fellow Instagrammers to count how many of these pictures you’ve taken. I lost track after the first verse. I’m going to have this song stuck in my head all day now. “Lo-fiiii…lo-fiiiiii!”
Are you an Instagrammer?
If so, find me! I’m jennkrenn. And I’m loving the new web profile pages!
Hope all of you are having a great start to the week. We’re planning to decorate our Christmas tree tonight, so the merrymaking continues. All is calm, all is bright – it’s an amazing time of year.
Abrazos,
I adore instagram. I don’t care how silly it is! Your yard looks super duper cute! Love!! I’ve wanted to meet Gina- she seems so sweet.Glad you’re enjoying the holiday season
I couldn’t agree more! But I always enjoy a good parody and I think I have definitely been the person taking shots of my food from all around the room, haha. 🙂 Gina is definitely a sweetheart. Come visit!!
How exciting! Your first Christmas in Arizona. Looks like you two are both enjoying the season in your new home. 🙂
Thank you, Lauren! It has been really fun so far. 🙂
Ummmm is that SNOW falling on your blog???? Has that always been there??
It is snow!! I put it up every year for the holidays on the blog. 🙂 You should totally get it – it’s the “Snow Storm” plugin for WordPress!
Ah, your home decorations look great! Let us see what you decorate the inside with too! Eek!
And a neighborhood party?! Man, I wish mine had one of those, but who knows, maybe by next month I’ll be living with Whit and we will have a neighborhood party! Yay! I’m so excited for you at your new home!
That picture of you, Bobby and your brother is too funny! Family rivalry!
Thanks, Melissa! I love the prospect of you living with Whit and having your own neighborhood party! I will also have to invite myself over for a visit. 😉
Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new house!
Thanks, Cindy! I will definitely share more of the inside soon!
Woohoo instagram web pages finally!!!
I know, right? So exciting!!
Love the holiday decorations! I wish more houses on my street were that festive–we’re one of the only ones with lights up. Bah humbug.
The Instagram video is hilarious! Makes me realize how not unique my pictures are…
Bah humbug! You should go door to door singing Christmas carols. That’ll get them…one way or another. 😉 And I feel the same way about my Instagram pictures now, haha!
Glad you got some great decorations to keep up with the Joneses! No seriously, your neighborhood looked like it was going to throw down for Christmas 🙂
“Think it’s bad now wait till I’m 33, so many pictures of my kids you’ll want to murder me…” Hahahaaaa. I don’t Instagram but can still appreciate how funny this is. Someday I’ll progress past a flip phone, maybe.
Haha it really is a throw down. It’s cool to see everyone gets in the spirit, though! And that line was one of my favorites from the Instagram video. Possibly because I can envision myself being that person someday… 🙂 In crazy news, Bobby just got his first-ever smartphone. I still can’t believe it!
Haha I love this — I’m a big fan of Instagram. 😉 PS. the snow on your blog is adorable! I didn’t even know that was possible.
Thanks, Joelle! I did it through a WordPress plugin called “Snow Storm” if you’re interested. I love doing it every year at Christmas. 🙂
took me a while to get onto instagram but i’m an addict!
It took some time for me to get into it, too, but now it’s a borderline obsession. OK…it IS an obsession!
It’s snowing–yay! All of the photos in this post make me smile, Jenn, especially the Packers vs. Vikings ones. That was a good game, and your football-viewing meal was very appropriate!
That’s so great that you were able to connect with Gina. Two of my favorite bloggers unite!
PS: Your holiday decor looks so lovely. 🙂
Thanks for reminding me about the snow, Karla! It makes me so happy every time I see it. 🙂 Woohoooo for another great Packers game, and I’m so glad you like the holiday decor, too!
I, too, can appreciate the Instagram humor, though I will probably never own a smart phone. 🙂 I have such a great thing going with the flip phone! When people say things like, “Oh, just look it up on your phone,” my favorite thing is to pull out the old school phone and watch the jaws drop. haha. Your decorations look great! I’m trying to get Adam to let me put up a few more strands of lights outside…
I love your idea of “all is calm all is bright” as there are many “to do” things for the coming holidays but maybe we’ll just have to be calm so things will come out bright. Do you do yoga?
Hi Jenn! I am visiting Phoenix to run a half marathon in January with my boyfriend. Do you have recommendations for fun weekend activities or must-try restaurants? We’re excited to check out the town!
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