Hi from the Atlanta airport. I feel like we were just here. oh, right. We were ;) (Mexico trip.)

It’s our 8th Anniversary today!

We are almost to Cincy. Just one more hop on an airplane. Tonight we will be going to Ferrari’s — our fave Cincy eatery and location of our rehearsal dinner 8 years and 1 day ago. Then we (with all parents) will go see Sanders Family Christmas at the Playhouse.

Looking forward to nearly a week with family and friends. Mike and I feel ‘different’ since the Mexico adventure, so we’re looking forward to being more open and receptive with our family. Aren’t those the relationships, sadly, at which we don’t work as hard? I couldn’t help but think, when I was really working at listening and sharing honestly with all the people we met, that I want to be that way around our family too!! Around everyone, really.

Well, I’m reaching the end of my patience with blogging on the iPhone… so time to sign off. You can enjoy this cute picture of Mikey through last night’s ‘wine flight’ at the Seattle airport’s wine bar. I needed that!

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Our Christmas was awesome. Christmas eve we finished the cookies (pictured), and went to Midnight Mass at our church. Friday morning we slept in a little, Skyped with the fam, opened gifts and had some breakfast.

This year we traded day trips instead of material goods. I still ended up completely spoiled, with a spa day at alderbrook spa — it’s at a resort out of the city a ways.

For Mike, I planned a trip to a place where you brew your own beer and a visit to the Rick Steves HQ, both of which are just 15 minutes out of town. He loved it!

We took our cookies in to the shelter and ended up going out for Chinese for lunch at Mike’s favorite place in the International District.

We came home and enjoyed half A Christmas Story/ half nap.

Puppies were full of Christmas cheer, incase you were wondering.

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I’m sticking with “happy holidays.” Always will. Because to me, it’s not really about being PC. (Although I’m usually unspecific on my ‘holiday’ card ;)… I DID work in PR and Marketing.)

But the Christmas holiday is multiple holidays! And we all celebrate New Year’s, right? Well, it’s only a week away! Until we all stop celebrating a happy new year, I’m sticking with Holidays. Because that’s exactly what they are. I start celebrating Christmas Eve, then Christmas Day, days in between to be with family and friends and enjoy some time off from whatever, then New Year’s Eve and New Years Day. It’s not PC — it’s just extra joy!

And, if you’re in OUR family, they really are the HolidayS. Take a look at the Helmick Holiday Calendar.

December 23 (TODAY!): HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIMMY! Yes, a December 23 birthday. He is a very lucky guy.

December 24: Christmas Eve

December 25: Christmas Day

December 29: Our (Eighth) Anniversary! (Awww.) I know everyone loved it when we squeezed our wedding in there…

December 31: New Year’s Eve

January 1: New Year’s Day

January 11: Mikey’s Birthday!

And, continuing the family tradition…

January 14: Miss Tessa’s Birthday!! TWO years old, can you believe it? Thanks, Laura, I stole this recent pic from your blog ;) LOVE the ‘do.

Now, I call those HolidayS. One third of Mike’s family has a birthday within three weeks of Christmas. Crazy!

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That’s a song, I didn’t make that up. (Six years of show choir, I know every Christmas/Holiday song ever written…)

I wanted to post pictures of our turkey from thanksgiving. Incase anyone’s cooking a turkey for Christmas, I highly recommend Martha’s maple ginger glazed turkey:) And a Big Green Egg grill…

Before:

After:

Prettiest turkey ever! Good job, Mikey, and thanks for the pics Dan.

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