Christmas in the desert
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
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I mean, come on… Liv in those glasses? Unbearable cuteness.
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.
Those glasses are adorable! Looks like you guys had a great holiday. Enjoy the weekend!
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!
<3 thank you!
Beautiful photos Gina!! Looks like it was an incredible day.
thank you! hope you’ve had a wonderful week! 🙂
Cinnamon rolls, gluten free? Or glutenous?
Have you shared this recipe anywhere?
Happy New Year!
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 🙂
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
awww thank you so much for reading! 🙂 hope you’ve had a wonderful vacay!
Fun pics! Looks like you had a great day. Thanks for reads too!
I love the matching pajamas! How sweet is that?!
so fun! my stepmom picked them up for us, and i loved being twinsies 🙂
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!
i’m not sure- i can ask my stepmom where she got them!
happy holidays to you and yours too!
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
thank you! couldn’t agree more; they make the holidays even more magical!
xxo
Tallest tree ever!
Also, great dress. And those cinnamon buns look heavenly.
it’s HUGE and amazing 🙂
thank you! hope you’re having a great week!
I love watching kid’s expressions when they open presents from Santa Claus 🙂 What did you get her?
Your matching PJs just look adorable! Hope you had a blast during Christmas!
Merry Christmas! There is nothing better than family, matching jammies and cinnamon buns. Love love love to you! <3
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.
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.
The glasses are adorable!! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! I love the excitement that kids that age have, it makes everything so much more fun & magical.
couldn’t agree more! i love the holidays before, but it’s a thousand times better now
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! 😉