Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the beach!

Christmas Recap

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with good food, laughter, and fun times with family. It is hard to believe that this was my last Christmas as a singleton...

Our celebrations began last Friday night when Josh's mom had my family and Josh and I over for dinner. We also did "my Christmas" with them since it wasn't going to work out for me to come over on Christmas day. Along with a fabulous scarf and cardigan they got me this...

A Kindle...This was very much a surprise and I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far!

Christmas Eve began with Josh and I exchanging gifts. Santa was very good to me and surprised me with...

Source: macys.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

This has been on my wish list for a while and I was very excited to get it!

The day continued with a wonderful church service and then celebrating with Josh's dad, step mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew. I then returned home to spend the last Christmas Eve at my parent's house. At home we had a little family fun photo session...we are getting pretty good at these.

On Christmas Day we slept in, ate an out-of-this-world breakfast, opened gifts, and hung around in our pj's a lot of the day before Josh came over for another feast for dinner. Santa knew I was getting A WEDDING for Christmas this year, but I also got a few extra very cute things. One of my favorites was this amazing beach chair...

Source: coastalliving.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Notice the space for your head and arms when you are laying on your stomach??? Finally a solution for that "How do I lay on my stomach at the beach without suffocating to death" problem. I can't wait to use it this summer!

Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday filled with many blessings.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We have had a wonderful holiday season filled with driving through the Living Christmas Story, Christmas parties, lights at the zoo, and family gatherings (none of which I took pictures of). However, I think it's important to remember exactly why we celebrate the holiday. A few weeks ago during the music extravaganza at church the band played and Michelle beautifully sang "You're Here." I think it's a wonderful reminder of the true reason for the season, the birth of Jesus.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Oh Christmas Tree!

I love decorating for Christmas, but I was a little uninspired this year. I started the weekend before Thanksgiving since we were going to be gone the next week and finished up when I returned. So, this is a glimpse of my few decorations this year....

Tried to get crafty in the fireplace...

Look familiar? I just changed out leaves for ornaments.

I got the printable in the frame off pinterest...

The village...not as many houses as last year.

Even added a few touches in the bathroom.

The outside.

Really wanted a new wreath, but like I said, wasn't feeling inspired this year.

The ONE photo ornament that worked. I had big plans to make all these new ornaments for the tree and it was a big fat failure. This one was the only one worth hanging on the tree. Maybe next year.

Some Christmas Treats...these are my favorite. My grandmother used to make them for me all the time and I felt like trying them for myself this year. I miss her everyday!

So, that's it. Not much, but it made me happy for this year. Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

I believe...

I read a post on Blue Eyed Bride yesterday and thought I would follow her lead...

I believe that Jesus is the reason for the season.

I believe in keeping family holiday traditions.

I believe in creating new traditions.

I believe that these traditions are what make Christmas special.

I believe that indulging in a few extra treats during the holidays is okay.

I believe receiving cards and letters in the mail is a lost art...I wish people would send them more often than just the holidays. I'm guilty of not doing this as well. I see a New Year's Resolution forming.

I believe in keeping these cards and storing them in a special way or place.

I believe in wrapping everything in separate boxes.

I believe in coordinating wrapping paper under the tree.

I believe in the power of prayer.

I believe that a few episodes of Friends in the afternoon can turn your day around instantly.

I believe in playing Christmas music from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day.

I believe that two weeks off of school does a teacher good.


Merry Christmas!

Engagement Annoucement

Way back on October 16th our engagement announcement ran in the state paper. Here's to better late than never...

Ashlee Savage & Joshua Dailey Engagement Announcement The State

81 days as of today...wow!

Guess Who Showed Up To Play?

I can't believe I didn't find the time to post about this very exciting piece of information a few weeks ago. After a month of my Clemson Tigers sending my blood pressure sky high, the boys finally came to play in the ACC Championship game. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much from them. I know, what kind of fan am I? After so many weeks of not being able to pull it all together, I was worried. But on the first Saturday of December everything came together beautifully for the Tigers won the ACC Championship!

via shakinthesouthland.com

We were going to go, but decided not to the week of the game. So, I enjoyed the game from my house with a smile on my face the entire time! What a season we had...They really know how to keep it interesting. Now it's time to cheer them on in the Orange Bowl!

Because everyone knows...

Source: Uploaded by user via Ashlee on Pinterest

C-L-E-M-S-O-N T-I-G-E-R-S! Fight Tigers! Fight Tigers! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Thanksgiving Part 2

This is a well overdue follow up to this post, but here goes.

After we arrived in Niceville, FL we had a lot of quality family time...much more than we are used to. We were staying with Brooks in his 2 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment, so needless to say it was close quarters. However, it was very nice to get to spend a Thanksgiving with Brooks. He hasn't been able to come home for the holiday since he started working with basketball teams, so it was nice to have all 4 of us together for once. Mom brought everything but the kitchen sink down to cook and with the help of Publix Thanksgiving felt just like it was at home. Okay, the Publix food wasn't as good as my mom's cooking, but it worked for the situation we were in. Remember I said felt, not tasted.

While we were there we got to see Brooks do his thing. They had two games, so we got to Brooks' new team play and see him coach.

We took another trip down to the beach, only this time in the daylight. I wanted to see this blue water they always talk about. It was a very windy, rough day, but the ocean was as pretty as always. Another family photo session took place, here are a few of the highlights.

It was another long drive home back through Alabama, Georgia, and finally back into South Carolina. It was great getting to see Brooks, do a little shopping, feel the sand in my toes (for a bit), and count our blessings. I have so much to be thankful for on my last Thanksgiving as a Savage.

I made it!

To Christmas Break that is....

And there is lots to catch up on while I have 2 weeks off.

* Get over this cold that keeps trying to reappear. Sleeping on the couch is no fun. We do have a fabulous guest bedroom, but who could find it over all the junk on it. We need a bigger house. Pharmacy here I come!

* Clean my house...I would seriously pay someone serious amounts of money to do this for me. I'm noticing a lot of clutter lately. Again, We need a bigger house.

3. Catch up on the blog.

* Take care of some wedding details. I have a feeling my mom has more in store for me than I think.

* Finish up Christmas shopping (my goal is to be done by Tuesday) and wrapping.

* GET BACK TO THE GYM. This is a MUST! The wedding is less than 90 days away! Luckily, I can get there in the morning the next couple of days. I'm much more motivated in the am.

* Find some time to relax. I have to admit, I like daytime TV and little more than the average person. Terrible, I know.

But, I made it.

National Lampoon's Thanksgiving Vacation Part 1

Yesterday we began our own version of Thanksgiving Fun. We began the long 9 hour trip to Destin to visit Brooks for Thanksgiving. I knew it would be a long trip, but had no idea how long it was. I think I'm getting too old to sit in a car that long and we were doing anything to keep us amused by the end of the trip. Anywho, on the way I convinced my Dad to stop off so I could see Auburn's campus since we were passing right through. Honestly, I just needed a change of scenary after about 5 hours of interstate. I loved the campus! It was so pretty and it was crazy how much it was like Clemson....kinda felt like home.

A bit crooked, but pretty good for out the window one handed.

I couldn't believe they were already tailgating for the Alabama/Auburn game.

I had never been to Alabama and what a view I got. We went through many a small town. Once we got there we settled into Brooks' small apartment (lots of quality family time to come) and headed to the beach. We caught it just in time for a beautiful sunset.

Happy Thanksgiving!