{Merry Christmas!}

 The week has full. It started with the annual family tradition of Christmas caroling around the Marion neighborhoods - with all 45 members of Jordan's extended family. I have to admit...before I met Jordan I never knew that people still went Christmas caroling. But now it seems completely normal to me. I absolutely love it. 

Besides caroling, we have spent most of our time eating, relaxing with family, singing in the church choir together, and playing with baby Oliver. This morning was a typical Christmas with jammies and gifting. We finally got done opening presents at 3:00pm with a giant breakfast to follow. Now we are committed to watching Parks and Recreation and playing board games all night. It has been such a blessing to have all 10 of us Shepherds together for an entire weekend. We have too much fun together. 

And tomorrow we head to the mitten for another round of celebrating! Hello snow and Dowell family madness :) 

  

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

- John 1:1-6

{Grandma Rides the Zamboni}

Yesterday was a big day for my Grandmother. She checked off one of the items on her bucket list: riding the Zamboni at a hockey game. 

The whole family came along to support her and watch the Kalamazoo Wings play. We had killer front row seats, which ended up being perfect for waving to Grandma as she flew by on the Zamboni. During her ride, the crowd cheered, waved, and sang her the birthday song lead by the announcer man. She had a full five minutes of fame and a free T-shirt to go along with it. 

Happy 80th birthday to MaryEllen Burdick :)

{2011 Christmas Gift Guide}

For the Fella's

Areaware Alarm Dock 

Professor After Shave Balm 

Schmidt Brothers Steak Knife Set

Nixon Newton Digital Watch 

For the Ladies

The Jane Austen Handbook

Textured Cowlneck Sweater

Owl Dessert Plate

Forget Me Knot Ring

Porcelain Button Magnets

Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific Shampoo or Conditioner (from 1970's)

Watercolor Wall Calendar 

Gold/Silver Sequined Skirt 

For Him or Her

Swiss Measuring Spoons

Bike Bell

The Retro Handset

His/Hers Organic Pleated Edge Towels

{Christmas Tree}

Meet our tree, Gus. Isn't he handsome? We spent three hours getting him to look this sparkly and bright. At first, the 'putting up the tree' process was stressful. The worst part was trying to figure out how to securely screw the trunk into the bucket thing. Once we accomplished that (well, once Jordan accomplished that), the rest was a breeze. We listened to the Sufjan Christmas album, hung our ornaments, and got covered in a glittery mess. It was all worth it though. The holidays are officially here, and our home smells like pine! What could be better? 

{November}

(photo sources)

November is here! The time has come for snowfall, turkey dinner, cable knit scarves, heavy socks, and gift shopping. By this time in the fall semester my brain gets weak and I stop caring about school. Looks like I'm right on schedule. I am counting down the days until Thanksgiving break when we get to spend five days with family and friends in Battle Creek. Oh, and I am finally getting an iPhone this month!  I will never complain about early Christmas gifts. Thanks Mom and Dad for being the best parents ever. 

I hope you all enjoy your November weather. Have a fantastic weekend! 

P.S. If you live in Marion, you should really come see the IWU theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. I'm doing hair and makeup for the cast, and I would love to see you there. I'm pretty sure you won't leave without a few laughs.   

Spirit of Snow

I have gathered a few of my favorite finds for this Christmas season. I know this year is going to be extra festive, and I am going to soak it up as much as I possibly can.

I can't wait to start baking Christmas cookies, decorating the tree, and search the shops for the perfect gifts!




1. Fudge the numbers with this chart made of 70% dark, 20% milk and 10% white chocolate.Chocolate Editions
2. Cable and Cotton decorative lights
3. Adorable Tree-to-be kit
4. Flannel sleep set from J Crew
5. Barky Turntable from Anthropologie
6. Mercury acorn ornaments by West Elm
7. Edible Glitter! at Wilton.


Enjoy the beautiful white weather!