Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

School is back in session!
While I'm not as excited as that above exclamation mark, I did have the most wonderful winter break.
School got out on 16 December and believe me, it was welcomed. I had the most enjoyable relaxing week. We started it off with Aaron's work Christmas party on the 17th, it was fun, there was a scavenger hunt and I SOMEHOW was nominated as our tables representative, there were 17 tables in all, and I came in 2nd, which to be honest I'm still a bit bitter about, the last item on the hunt was a Blue Tooth Ear Device.... REALLY!?!?! Who has those any more? Especially when all these people work in the techy side of the Air Force. Ohwell.... I can let it go now.
Maybe
Anyways, I cheered up when Not only Santa showed, but Mrs. Claus and an elf came too! It's a yearly competition/fundraiser, people vote by buying tickets and the people with the top 3 votes get to dress up like this trio. Definitely brought good laughs and smiles.

The hubs and I even got cleaned up for the party, but unfortunately there isn't a good picture of both of us, so this one with our friend flexin in the background will have to do. 

Aaron and I couldn't wait for Christmas to come, so we caved and opened early. Like any teacher I was uber excited to get some books, NEW CRICUT Cartridges, and then spoiled with new camera lenses, a camera bag, and a Mac Mini!

YAY Cricut Cartridges (Plus I got the DINO one) I <3 Dinos

Opening Aftermath, plus had to use my new 18mm lens

Someone was exhausted from the festivities

Then I was honored enough to have my dear dear friend Maria join me for a few days before Christmas, followed by a few days after Christmas. She is currently doing an au pair gig in Spain and took a few days off to come visit, it was great to have her here. We enjoyed some time in our PJs,  I took her on her first ever IKEA (aka Heaven) experience, where she somehow didn't buy a single thing, I of course, found a bag full of items I HAD TO HAVE. We went to London, which PS Please go see that city at night, it is even more gorgeous. And hardly any one is out. I still have yet to make it on the London Eye, at this point it's getting to be hilarious that I miss it every time, we either run out of time, or there are a million and 12 people in line and I'm far too impatient to wait that out. 

Maria and I enjoying the rainy/windy evening in London, riding the UnderGround

The London Eye at Night, beautifully lit 

Buckingham Palace, hardly anyone around, unlike the last time Hubs and I went, the Queen was out on holiday, the palace was open for tours, PLUS Kate's dress was on display, we couldn't get anywhere near this place. 

We were invited to a Christmas Eve dinner with all of our friends, had a blast, lots of food, and Kinect Just Dance 3, some major competitions got going there. But here is Baby Claus to bring a smile to your face.

We went to Dublin, Ireland with another couple to bring in the New Year, we had a FANTASTIC time and left with stories we'll never forget, got a good taste of the Irish, dined like Royalty and had a very accommodating, and comfortable hotel. While I took nearly 1000 photos I'll leave you with one of my favorites. 

Oh and it's great to see all those super cute kiddo faces back at school this week, although I could do without the indoor recesses, we've had 2 this week, and personally, that is 2 too many. They are our first of the school year though, which I would say is a good record for Rainy Ol' England!

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of 2012!