Isley Family Life: December 2012: Part I

December was ~~glorious~~ GLORIOUS! Aaron and I don't go to one of the crazy med schools where fourth year is basically a year-long vacation (not that I'm jealous or anything...), but we do get a total of two months off during our third and fourth year of med school. We took our first month in July and our second month this December. It was our first real vacation in a long time. In July, we were studying for Step 2. The break before that was between second and third year, and we were studying for Step 1. The break before that was Christmas break of second year, and Julia was born at the beginning of it, which was awesome, but most decidedly not a vacation (as any parent can attest!). So, really, we hadn't had a totally study-free, newborn-free chunk of time off since the summer between first and second year, which was in 2010. Anyhow, all that to say... we were so needing a real break and it was so refreshing and relaxing and wonderful.

I've already blogged about most of the big things that happened: Julia's 2nd birthday and party, Mary-Claire's birth, our trip to Kansas, and Christmas with Aaron's family and my family. The other big thing was Mary-Claire's baptism! Aaron and I became her godparents, which is quite an honor and privilege. We are excited to support Mary-Claire in her journey of faith! Julia was good during the baptism, sitting with friends, apparently pointing and whispering, "Mary-Claire" over and over again... haha! My grandparents came in for a few days for the baptism, and we enjoyed visiting with them! Julia still talks about Grandma Judy and Grandpa David!

What I haven't blogged about yet, though, are the little things from the month. And the little things so warmed my heart and made December truly one of the best months of my life. It was so wonderful for Aaron, Julia, and me to be together all the time for the whole month. For all three of us to wake up and snuggle in bed together. To go to storytime together. To cook and bake together and then to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. To play pretend together. To dance together. To go to the park together. So much wonderful quality time to just enjoy being together. It was the best.

Simply, the best.

I have way too many December photos, so I'll break them up into 2 or 3 posts. First, enjoy some of our outdoor photos!