Sunday, December 28, 2014

Merry Christmas! (a little late)

(My parents' house all decked out!)

Tonight I was talking with my friend about how today it officially feels like Christmas is over. He told him it's been over for days but I'm lucky enough to have a whole week of celebrating and today felt like the end of it.

My family is a family of tradition - we love our traditions. Some might not like traditions because they think they can easily get you stuck in a rut. I love traditions because they make you intentional - and I like that. A few Christmas traditions that my family has are going to see the Kansas City Symphony play at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, going out to dinner as a family courtesy of my brother Joel, eating the same menu for breakfast every Christmas morning (including sparkling grape juice), timing how long it takes for all of us to open our presents (I think it's normally around 2 hours but never heard the final time from my uncle Dave. I think we were quicker this year), going bowling as an extended family... the list goes on....

I'm thankful for a week of traditions and a family to celebrate with. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too! (Here are a few pictures from my week.)

 (This year's family dinner was at Pierponts in Union Station.)

(Union Station. I love this place.)

(All decked out...) 

 (Kansas City Symphony... it may have been illegal that I took this pic. Oh well...)

(One of my favorite sights on Christmas Eve is too look down over our living room 
all decked out with decorations and gifts. I don't know why... But I love it.)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Oh hey!

Hey, my name is Abby Thomason. I am, er, was... the author of this blog. Then I disappeared for a long time. Gosh I'd like to say I'm back for good. But you know how life goes... So let's just live in the moment and focus on the now, shall we? Let me give you a few updates on what's been going on since I've last written. (I'm consulting the pictures on my phone for this - because I figure if it's picture worthy, then it's somewhat substantial... maybe?)

I've drank a lot of coffee. It seems like my friend and I go to fun coffee places often. Just found a new one I really like called Benetti's in Raytown. If you're in the KC area - I'd recommend it. I'm a big fan of Quay's all spice latte as well. If it wasn't 10:00pm I'd go get one right now.
 (Benetti's does it right. The owner won't let you settle for a mediocre coffee drink.)

(Mmm, all spice latte...)

I went to my first KU basketball game since middle school. I always give my dad a hard time for always choosing to take my brothers over me when he gets tickets. Well this year, my dad came through and sought out tickets so we could go to a game. What a good guy...
(I got to go with my uncle Dave and brother Cory, too. What fun guys!)

I was sick. I've never been so sick in my life. BUT, I'm on the mend and feeling good, so that's good news...
(A friend brought over tea one day when I was working from home. He's a keeper...)

I ran a 5k! Never in my life did I ever think I would do that. But I started the Couch to 5k program back in September and I'd highly recommend it. It was a really good way to gradually get there if you're not a runner like me. My cousin Julie did it with me and I don't think I would have kept going if it weren't for her. We are a good team...
(We did it!) 

(The crew from the family who ran/walked the 5k on Thanksgiving morning.)

After Thanksgiving I got right into the Christmas spirit. Lots of decorating... Here is my tree and my parent's tree.
(My mom gave me our girl's tree that we always put up together at home... It looks good, eh?) 

(Love my parents...)

Speaking of trees - there was this thing called the Magic Tree in Columbia when I went to college. Turns out that we now have one here in KC!
(So great...)

(My friend Josh... he's not so bad.)

Then I shifted my decorating efforts to this event my church put on called Affordable Christmas. I was in charge of the decorating team... It was a lot of work - but I am happy with how things turned out and I think the families that attended the event really felt loved on by the whole day.
(The special girls I led with... we just happened to match one day.) 

(Check out all of those to do lists...)

(One of the rooms we decorated. Someone said it reminded them of Elf. 
Not sure you could have given me a better compliment...)

Now Affordable Christmas is over and I have shifted gears to preparing for Christmas with my family and friends. Wrapping gifts, decorating sugar cookies, and Secret Santa at work. I'm ready for Christmas... Only 1 week away!
(Have I mentioned I love wrapping gifts?)

(These sock are knee highs and on the other side of them they have a cabin covered in snow 
with smoke coming out of the chimney... Seriously though. And yes - that mug is wearing a sweater.)

Welp, that was a lengthy update on the happenings in my life for now. Hope you are doing well!