Hey friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Because of my work schedule, I don’t get the opportunity to travel back to St. Louis, where my family lives, very often. So when I do get to come home for the holidays, it is a treat!
We started the trip by meeting up with my brother’s fiancé, Kristin, to do wedding dress shopping with her family. It was so fun to watch her twirl in different wedding dresses until she said, “Yes to the dress!” Later I was able to meet up with my high school friends. It’s been 13 years since we graduated high school, but despite that time, it is still wonderful every time we get together.
On Christmas Eve we drove around St. Albans, a beautiful town in the countryside, snapping engagement pictures of Adam, my brother, and Kristin. I cannot wait to edit more of them! Here’s a little sneak peek below. (For those who live in St. Louis area, St. Albans is the perfect location for outdoor portraits. It has rolling hills, ponds, bridges, cattails – without the crowd.)
That night we had Christmas Eve service at my parents church. Isn’t this church the cutest?! I love the red door with wood siding for the holiday season.
On Christmas we had fun hanging out, relaxing and taking pictures. Dinner was a traditional turkey, mashed potato, creamed corn and apple pie meal. Since I didn’t get off work for Thanksgiving, my mom was sweet enough to make some of my favorite foods for a Thanksgiving-like meal to enjoy on Christmas.
This was the first year we had little ones, my nephews are both 9 months. It was so fun to see the excitement in their eyes!
How was your Christmas? Do you have any traditions that you enjoyed?
I’m en route back to Dallas now, but am looking forward to a couple more trips back to St. Louis in 2017!
Live your life joyfully so,
Ashley
