Fabulous Christmassy Weekend

Happy Hump Day readers!

Can you believe that Christmas is just 4 days away?  I feel like we were just talking about Halloween!

Nonetheless, this past weekend was fabulous and put me in the best Christmas spirit.  And with that, I'll now share with you my picture-heavy, fabulous, Christmassy weekend!

Friday night, AMF got into town and we embarked on Richmond's Tacky Lights Tour.

This family has been decorating their house for 37 years!

Look who we ran into--Claire from Life in the Sweet Virginia Breeze!

AMF and I couldn't resist these Christmas cut-outs!

WOW!

I loved these kissing reindeer!

Super cool car on Monument Avenue!

Saturday, AMF and I baked the day away and prepared for the party.  Sadly I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked at the party--I discovered that being a good hostess is a lot of work!  The party was a huge success though, we had about 20 people come by, and I definitely think it will become a Christmas tradition for Bryce and me!

The house decorated and ready!

Bryce's mom made us this wreath from greenery around her yard and I picked out the bow!

the spread!

Ham Biscuits, Baked Pimento Cheese, Flank Steaks, and Bacon-Wrapped Duck!

Desserts:  Chocolate Kahlua Trifle, Funfetti Cupcakes, Sugar Cookies, and Chocolate Tortes

The attire for the party was "Tacky Attire Optional" and Bryce's friend went all out with his HOMEMADE LIGHT-UP Christmas sweater!

Wow!!

CEG, ABE, ALG

Sadly, this is the best picture of Bryce and me from the night!

I love this candid I snagged of SEG and her man!

Finally, Sunday, Bryce and I cleaned up from the party and relaxed.  That night, we went to a Christmas Carol service with Bryce's family at his church downtown and then stopped by the historic Jefferson Hotel to check out its Christmas decorations.

I LOVE the Jefferson at Christmastime!

They always have the most gorgeous two story high tree!

One of my favorite things is the annual Jefferson gingerbread house--this one had more than 500 pounds of gingerbread!!

In case you're curious about the other ingredients...

Bryce loves the dome in the Jefferson and snapped this pic!

I love this picture!

Alligator statues are all around the hotel to represent the live alligators that used to live in the hotel!

Love this guy!

Finally, Sunday night Bryce and I had our Christmas celebration together--we were going to do it this Friday night, but both were too excited to wait any longer.  After dinner, we got into our pajamas and opened presents by the tree.

Shaking the box!

Ta-da!  A Smathers & Branson Needlepoint Wallet!

I enclosed a dollar in the wallet for good luck!

For my present, Bryce hid the wrapped gift on the tree and I had to find it--then when I unwrapped, I saw that he had wrapped the box not once, but twice!

A monogrammed necklace!!  I have been wanting one of these FOREVER, but had never mentioned it to Bryce--he must know me so well!

I love it so much I wore it to dinner the next night and have worn it every day since...

How was your weekend?  Ready for Christmas?

Have a great day!