'tis the season...

...for family, friends, food, & fun.

so i did all of those things this past week.

i spent xmas in vancouver this year; and while i definitely missed spending the holiday at home with family, it was nice to have a low-key week. i went to a slow hot yoga class on xmas eve, and then went over to matt's house for dinner with his sister and two friends. don't get me wrong, my fam makes a mean xmas dinner, but this was a feast unlike anything i've had in vancouver to date. (granted, the majority of my meals are either scrambled eggs or sushi take out from the place across the street). matt's friends emma & josh did an amazing job prepping a local, organic, gluten-free menu of lamb, sauteed kale salad, smashed sweet potatoes, etc etc. not to mention our charcuterie appetizer or my very favorite chocolate diablo cookies. after that, i could hardly stay up waiting for santa i was so full! we all slept over at matt's and woke up early (ok...everyone else woke up early and i slept it) to open presents!

it's beginning to taste a lot like christmas!

i went home before xmas brunch to skype with the whole family. the little ones are legitimately the cutest things on the planet, and it was so adorable to hear them talk about their new gifts :-)

the rest of the holiday flew by, and it was back to work on thursday to finish out a short week. this weekend was awesome and low-key as well. there hasn't been as much snow as in previous years (so i hear), so we didn't make it back up to cypress again this weekend, but i'm looking forward to more snow in the new year!

the ski boots were lined up by the front door with care...

this saturday, matt, melody & i took the jeep down to bellingham, wa, for a day of USA shopping! we were able to mail some packages, have a delicious lunch (& ice cream) in downtown bellingham, and do some major damage at trader joe's and target. oh how i missed them.

americaaaaaaa, the beautiful.

kid in a candy shop!

this is better than a shopping haul.

this morning i turned off my alarm for the first time in forever (what a great feeling!) and then tried out a new brunch place with my friend james. although it was a bit out of the way, we were delighted to discover chorizo eggs benedict and pulled pork pancakes. all these yummy destinations have me very excited for my half marathon guests that are coming this summer!

see you next year :-)

xo,
caroline