Happy Christmas Things

I have decided there are two, possibly three, types of pictures: There are the kind that are simply documenting history, the kind that are art, and the kind that are a hybrid of the two. Please keep in mind that most of the following pictures are simply documenting history and some are attempts at hybrids. When in doubt, assume the picture was taken strictly for documenting.
This picture was technically taken in late November at my birthday dinner but I loved the Christmas lights. Can you tell that I'm freezing?

The view out our bedroom window one wintery December morning.

Our first Christmas! The Christmas tree was donated to us by an older couple in our ward. Mr. Mitchell had to make the tree stand because the tree was so skinny and all the stands available for purchase were too large. I spent days finding us perfect stockings (that hang above the window instead of a fireplace) that complement each other but aren't too "matchy-matchy" and I forgot them when we left for Christmas. :( We were very happy with our first Christmas decorations.


On our way to visit my sister and her family we stopped at Temple Square to see the lights.


My younger brother is currently serving a mission in Merida, Mexico. On Christmas Eve we got to talk to him for an hour. Yay! I cried - I miss the kid a lot.


Mr. Mitchell had me open a gift on Christmas Eve because he was sooo excited to give it to me. (It was adorable.) My family has a tradition that each year we get a new keepsake ornament from Hallmark. I wanted to keep that tradition but Mr. Mitchell and I are poor college students and decided against it. Instead, he actually made us a 'First Christmas' ornament out of wood. Talk about a keepsake ornament. That's what I got to open on Christmas Eve. (Yes, I am in footie pajamas. No, I am not ashamed.)

We spent Christmas morning with my parents. Mr. Mitchell bought me a hat and 'hobo' gloves, which I adore. I bought him a luxurious robe and a Calvin & Hobbs book.


We spent the next few days with some of Mr. Mitchell's family. At his grandparents house we made gingerbread houses. Mine was supposed to be Rapunzel's tower (inspired by Tangled) but turned into more of a clock tower with a random dude hanging out at the bottom.


We finished the journey back at my parents' house for an annual family Christmas party where we got to see some more of my family. (Missing: Chris & Tiffany and children; Jayme & Steve and children; Britton & Tena and children; Garrison)


We had a good Christmas and are now both home sick. Sweet.