Christmas in the desert

Dads tree  1 of 1 2

Nerd family  1 of 1

Tom and liv  1 of 1

Dessert table  1 of 1

W kyle  1 of 1

Hotel tree  1 of 1

Making rolls  1 of 1

Rolls  1 of 1 2Begging dogs  1 of 1

Santa came  1 of 1 2

 

Opening gifts  1 of 1 5

Pajama twins  1 of 1

Hi! Hope you had a wonderful day yesterday. We had a beautiful Christmas here in the Tucson with the fam; it’s been amazing to see everyone, eat a thousand tamales and Christmas cookies, enjoy warm hugs, listen to a combo of Livi’s giggles intermixed with the Michael Buble Christmas soundtrack, and watch the puppies running around. Watching Liv open presents has been so much fun. She really seems to understand the magic of the season this year, and in addition to the Santa excitement, she’s torn open her packages slowly and thoughtfully. For every one, she’s gasped and said some variation of, “Oh my gosh, it’s just what I ALWAYS WANTED!” “This is AMAZING!” or “These are my favorite things ever.” 

If you’re wondering what the glasses are about in the pics above, the cousins always have a theme for Christmas dinner. We’ll show up to my dad’s house in some sort of coordinated attire, and in the past, we’ve done things like mustaches, bibs before dinner, rocking tuxedo shirts, and Snuggies. This year, our theme was nerds. As a last-minute contribution, I picked up the glasses at the BX, popped the lenses out and added tape to the middle. Boom. Instant nerd power.

Christmas Eve, we enjoyed dinner at my dad’s house with everyone, and I made the usual midnight cinnamon rolls while the Pilot and I wrapped gifts and watched A Christmas Story. Christmas morning was spent at the madre’s for brunch and then back later for dinner. Being back here for Christmas certainly feels different this year (I can’t help but miss our Tucson house, especially since Christmas morning was celebrated at our place), but I’m so thankful we were able to make the trip to see everyone. 

I’m off to take a barre class this morning, but wanted to stop by and say hello!

Some faves from around the web:

 20 food blog trends that need to die in 2015 (Not to be taken super seriously, and I’m guilty of a couple of these)

Most controversial fitness stories of 2014

How to stop caring about what other people think of your body

5 emotional stages of Pure Barre explained through GIFs

The most powerful way to respond to negative people

A surprisingly transformative New Years resolution

Hope you have a very happy Friday! See ya later today.

xoxo

Gina

Post Navigation:

29 Comments

  1. Erin Motz on December 26, 2014 at 8:42 am

    I mean, come on… Liv in those glasses? Unbearable cuteness.

  2. Valerie on December 26, 2014 at 9:27 am

    That link to 20 food blog things that need to die…Oh dear…I’m dying laughing!! So glad you had a great Christmas with family.

  3. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on December 26, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Those glasses are adorable! Looks like you guys had a great holiday. Enjoy the weekend!

  4. Beth on December 26, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Fun pics! Looks like a lovely time. That photo of Liv with the pilot at the top of the tree– she looks exactly like you!

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:45 pm

      <3 thank you!

  5. queenoffitness on December 26, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Beautiful photos Gina!! Looks like it was an incredible day.

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      thank you! hope you’ve had a wonderful week! 🙂

  6. Karen on December 26, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Cinnamon rolls, gluten free? Or glutenous?

    Have you shared this recipe anywhere?

    Happy New Year!

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      full of gluten 😉
      i usually make the pioneer woman’s recipe, but since we were in the hotel, i stuck with the minimalist baker’s recipe (less ingredients needed!) they came out amazing!
      happy new year to you 🙂

  7. Hayley on December 26, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Merry Christmas! I’ve been on holiday in Thailand since 5th December and have just sat down and had a very enjoyable Gina Binge! It was lovely! Xxxx

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      awww thank you so much for reading! 🙂 hope you’ve had a wonderful vacay!

  8. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on December 26, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Fun pics! Looks like you had a great day. Thanks for reads too!

  9. Nicole @ Runs & WODs on December 26, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    I love the matching pajamas! How sweet is that?!

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      so fun! my stepmom picked them up for us, and i loved being twinsies 🙂

  10. valerie on December 26, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Love the stands the cake & pie are on….can you share any info on where they were purchased?

    Happy Holidays to you and your family!

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:42 pm

      i’m not sure- i can ask my stepmom where she got them!
      happy holidays to you and yours too!

  11. Jess on December 26, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I love tht dress you are wearing next to your bro. And the matching pjs with Liv! Christmas is so sweet with little ones! Looks like you had a fabulous time x

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:42 pm

      thank you! couldn’t agree more; they make the holidays even more magical!
      xxo

  12. Sagan on December 26, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Tallest tree ever!

    Also, great dress. And those cinnamon buns look heavenly.

    • Fitnessista on December 26, 2014 at 3:42 pm

      it’s HUGE and amazing 🙂
      thank you! hope you’re having a great week!

  13. Linda @ the Fitty on December 26, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    I love watching kid’s expressions when they open presents from Santa Claus 🙂 What did you get her?

  14. Mandy on December 26, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Your matching PJs just look adorable! Hope you had a blast during Christmas!

  15. Ali on December 26, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    Merry Christmas! There is nothing better than family, matching jammies and cinnamon buns. Love love love to you! <3

  16. Yaara Leve on December 26, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    That pic of Livi feeding her dolly is so precious! So glad you had a lovely holiday with your fam!! And you look gorgeous! That dress is so pretty. And OMG–from the Well + Good article–naked Yoga?? I don’t think I’d have the gumption for that–lol. It just sounds like it would be physically uncomfortable–although I guess binding might be easier–lol but also really really smelly.

  17. Sarah on December 27, 2014 at 6:09 am

    Steve Harvey’s approach to negative people is so solid and fool-proof. It’s something I never really thought of, or could articulate at least. He really nailed this.

  18. Nour @ Kale and Coconuts on December 27, 2014 at 10:30 am

    The glasses are adorable!! Merry Christmas!

  19. Traci on December 27, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    Merry Christmas! I love the excitement that kids that age have, it makes everything so much more fun & magical.

    • Fitnessista on December 28, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      couldn’t agree more! i love the holidays before, but it’s a thousand times better now

  20. Genna on December 29, 2014 at 7:34 am

    LOVE the matching jammies!!! I’m due in March with our 1st baby…baby girl…and cannot wait for all of the Christmas festivities of next year! 😉

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.