It's New Year's Eve, I'm in Glendora

An outfit for the last day of the year.

skirt and shirt: thrifted

vest: Aeropostale 

socks: Target

boots: gift

necklace: Icing's 

So, tonight will be my first celebrating the coming of the New Year with Ryan's family. This means that I get to participate in their traditional white elephant gift exchange. Okay, white elephant is a pretty big deal for the Houpt clan. Ryan seems to have been preparing all year for this night. We have a total of 10 presents that we're contributing to the jackpot. I guess the more ridiculous gifts there are, the better. I guess I'll find out soon enough! 

Oh, and to explain the title to this post, check out the video above. 

I kind of have a connection with this song because I grew up in Glendora, California. She also mentions Duarte, which is the city I was born in. (This song has a couple of f-bombs in the beginning, sorry!) I always seem to think of this song when the new year rolls around. 

Have an awesome 2012, everyone! 

A Wedding

 My brother-in-law, Adam, was married last night! 

 The servers offered us alcohol-free champagne for the toasts. 

It tasted pretty weird, to be honest. 

Congratulations, Adam and Jonelle :) 

Christmas Day

 This is pretty late, but that's what happens when you don't have access to internet in your own home. Christmas Day was wonderful! Church started at eleven. We had a sacrament meeting for the entire stake that lasted two hours long! There were a lot of musical numbers... Too many musical numbers. We didn't open our presents until maybe 1:30. 

 Yes!

 Our first Christmas as a married couple. Thanks ma-in-law! 

 I'm halfway through the first one. 

 Ryan and Adam played Bop-It while dancing. Quite the entertainment. 

 After Spending time with Ryan's family, we went to El Paso to see mine. 

 My talented cousins gave us a little concert.

 And then we all sang Christmas carols.

Whoo! 

And today, everyone is getting ready for a wedding! Ryan's brother Adam is the groom. I'm super excited. I hope there'll be dancing :) 

Merry Christmas!

This is one of my favorite photos of Ryan as a child. He just looks so cute talking to Santa :)

Happy Holidays! 

Bake a bunch of Christmas cookies

"Those Christmas cookies bring the yuletide cheeeeeeeeeeeeeer..." 

 Waiting to get some color... 

 Audrey made a standing tree, and Sam wasn't feeling too good...

 My sleigh ride :) 

 Adam worked pretty hard on this series of dragons (see the fire?). There was a lot of cutting involved.

 These are Ryan's... Way to show your holiday spirit by making that grim reaper type dude. And those blue and green guys are supposed to be monsters, I believe. 

These cookies are nothing but addicting.