As the year ends

I think back to my resolution to text less and talk more. .. well it didn't work out so well. So I'm going to renew my resolution and add a resolution to send more mail ( Thanks to Teri for the idea)

Hope you had a wonderful year like I did!

The Reason

So if you haven't noticed, I've been extremely absent from posting on my blog. December has been a crazy busy month and I'm finally getting some time to just chill. We started the month off by visiting our nephew and godson in San Diego (along with other family of course). It was Patrick's baptism and we were happy to be there for it. We flew in to San Diego Friday night and left 48 hours later. Great to be around family during that special occasion.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Yorktown Heights, NY

The following weekend we traveled up the Deegan to Yorktown Heights. There a fruit and fir farm exists and we could cut down our own Christmas tree. It was a farm. And it was SO COOL. Spent a good amount of time looking for the right tree, the selection was scarce. After cutting down the tree and putting it on the tractor, we headed back to the barn to get hot apple cider and warm cider donuts. I truly felt like we were in the country. We dropped our tree back at the apartment and finished up the day drinking egg nog, decorating the tree and listening to Christmas music (of course).

Continuing the spirit of the season, my husband and I hosted some friends for Christmas with the Calis. I cooked turkey baked ziti, made some amazing buffalo chicken dip and baked cookies for dessert. Everything was tasty especially the Christmas Rum Punch that I whipped up for our guests. Mix orange juice, ginger ale, flavored light rum (I used grape and wild berry), grenadine and raspberries for ice. You will create an amazing rum punch that is sure to be liked by all. I am looking for excuses to make it again. (Valentine's Day party?!)

Christmas Rum Punch: see above for ingredients

Bringing us through the month of December and continuing with our "balls out Christmas" goal. We wrapped all the gifts a week early, we were anticipating the wonderful night before Christmas. Another year passed and I wasn't going to California but I was so happy to start new traditions with my husband. I shared stories of traditions in my family growing up and we agreed to be in California for next year's Christmas. It will be a nice time to be with my side of the family and my husband will get a chance to see what a warm Christmas day feels like.

This brings me to the point of the post and the reason for the season. We have been extremely involved with our church this year, well the last 15-16 months. We attend regularly and try to participate in all the extra activities. I feel it is a strong testament to our faith that we continue to stay involved and really get to know God. I admit, I went away from the church for a couple of years. It turns out that those were some of my worst years and maybe it was because I was lost. I don't want to go off on a tangent because I know I am in a much better place now but I'm happy to be back. The reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ.  The season brings about joy and laughter amongst friends, family and especially so many great times between Mr. Cali and I. We hope that you enjoyed your Christmas and as we continue into the 3rd day of Christmas, we hope that God continues to bless you with great things.

Merry Christmas from Mr. and Mrs. Cali!