A very 'married' Christmas

Being married on Christmas is the best. It was crazy to think that this was Shawn's first Christmas back from the mission and our first Christmas married. As strange as this sounds, I feel like he's been home forever! But he hasn't. It'll be one year in 6 days. Insane. I am so happy to have him here. The last two years I spent my Christmases skyping my 'missionary'. and now I got to wake up to him Christmas morning. I absolutely loved it. We spent the holidays with a lot of shopping and a lot of family parties. When I think of Christmas, the first thing I think about (besides Christ) is how many family parties I have. I don't think Shawn knew what he signed up for when he married me ;)

Monday (the week before Christmas) we got together with my moms side to dip Chocolates. It's a tradition, every year we dip chocolates like marshmallows, cinnamon bears, nuts, peanut butter cups, and caramel. Its so yummy.

Monday before Christmas, we had a Christmas party with my dad's side. Everyone came over to the house for dinner, a gift exchange, and Santa Claus :)

Christmas Eve, we went to my Grandma's house for a gift exchange just with her, and lunch. Then we went to my uncles house for more food and hanging out. Then we went home and my mom got us Christmas Jammies and then I helped her wrap presents til 1am and Shawn played Xbox with my brothers. This Christmas we slept over at my parents house. It's so fun to have a brother that still believes in Santa and presents everywhere in our family room. Shawn is the baby of his family so he hasn't had a Christmas like this in a long time.

Christmas morning was a blast. Christmas is so bitter sweet though. I like Christmas Eve so much better because it's not over yet.

Christmas morning we woke up at 5:30am and opened presents. And then my mom's side came over for a lunch and we had a white elephant gift exchange and it was HILARIOUS! I loved it. And then we went to Shawn's parents house and spend the day and night with them.We had a good time and a very yummy dinner.

I love Christmas and I'm so sad that it's over! I loved that I got to spend it with Shawny this year and have him as my husband. HUSBANDS ARE THE BEST. Love being married.

The cutest cousins you ever did see.
Cameron, Tryston, Tate

It's not Christmas without a sparkly shirt and red lips.

GRADUATED!

2,000 hours later, a million haircuts and hair colors, a few mistakes, a lot of people I've helped feel beautiful, I am finally done with hair school. I absolutely love what I do and it was so bittersweet leaving my salon family. Being at that school for two years was a long time, and to some people they say "Oh I'd never be in hair school that long" and you know what, I am so glad that I took my time through hair school. With Shawn coming home, planning a wedding, getting married, I took a lot of time off, but being in school for 2 years has taught me so much. I have loved every minute of that place. Some days were of course longer than others but for the most part I had the time of my life. DATC is by far the best place to go for hair school. It's such a welcoming place to get your hair done and we have the most incredible instructors.

I have watched friends after friends graduate. And I always said to myself "I can't wait for that to be me". And when I was sitting in my advisers office having my exit interview, I was shocked. It all went by so fast. I got to school, cleaned out my trolley, had the interview, filled out some papers, and bam! Graduated. They took me to the front of the salon, sang me a song and before I knew it I was un-enrolling from the program. Saying goodbye to my salon family was so bittersweet, but I am so excited to take my talent to the next level and share it with so many people.

I absolutely love what I do and I'm so grateful for the amazing instructors that I have. They have taught me so much and I am so grateful for all the time they give to us students. They really are incredible. I am grateful for the girls I go to school with. They all have such great goals and are so talented. I have learned so much from them and have grown so close with them.

I am grateful for my family and all the time and money they have put into my schooling. My cute grandma coming in for perms, colors, cuts, facials, waxing. My mom for coming in as my model for nails and practically ruining her nails (haha). My brothers and dad for coming in for haircuts all the time. My amazing clients that were always on time and so nice! I love them. And my amazing husband for always always always being there for me. If I needed to pass something off, he was in my chair in a heart beat. I am grateful for his support and his love. And hearing how proud he is of me!

Yesterday was a great day.

 

My incredible Instructors

 

Angela

 Amber

Natalie

 My cute friends,

Ayana and Lexa

 Frankie!

 

Karlie

 My car! Thanks Mom! haha

And finally came home to this from my adorable husband.

Deck the Halls

 

I am seriously obsessed with Christmas and decorating my own house was so much fun this year. I love coming home to a clean house, smelling like Christmas and looking like Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year and I'm really lucky to be able to spend it with Shawn this year! I didn't get to spend it with him last year! So this year is going to be very special.