2012. It’s gonna be epic.
We had a great Christmas and a great New Years. My mom and dad returned from their mission in Texas just a few days before Christmas. The Oakley Nagels, Catherine, Dave and I were able to surprise them upon their arrival (they drove home from Texas) with jambalaya, french bread, salad and ginger creams. Catherine makes a great jambalaya and to us Nagels, it might be the most comforting of comfort foods, so it was the perfect accompaniment to a happy reunion.
A few days later, we all got together again – this time in Oakley – to celebrate Christmas Eve the traditional Haglund way. Christmas morning was a dream. I loved it. Just Dave and I in our cozy apartment by the light of our first Christmas tree reading Luke 2 and exchanging gifts. It was calm and quiet and beautiful and sweet. I couldn’t have asked for a better first Christmas with Dave.
Getting back into the swing of post-holiday regular life is always a bit of a challenge. Like everyone else, I’m trying to combat my post holiday blues with some resolutions to get me pumped for a great new year. I’ve got my sights set on a half marathon this year as well as incorporating a wider variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables into my diet and cooking repertoire. Armed with my camera and an awesome new speedlight to go with (thanks Santa!), I’m hoping to improve my food photography quite a bit and do more food blogging. Or at least take pictures of all the great things we eat in Paris or Thailand, since going to one of the two sometime this year is on the David and Anna habben family list of resolutions as well 
What are your resolutions, friends? If you have any great ones, I may steal them
I vote for Thailand! Paris is wonderful, but Thailand feels more exotic (maybe because I haven’t been).
Your Christmas sounds wonderful… wasn’t it great to have it on a Sunday? I really loved it.
I’d love to hear other people’s resolutions as well…
I do like exotic. Hence Bulgaria, Turkey, and Morocco in the last year and a half
i love your new blog layout — it looks really professional like. sounds like a fun christmas! i was thinking about you and your family on christmas eve and remembering when we joined you for the festivities in new orleans and then once in slc when i think grace was a baby. fun times! i still need to get your card in the mail to your right address…
Thanks, Jessica! I’m looking forward to getting your letter, though I feel I’m all caught up on your family from your blog. I know I never post comments, but I’m an avid reader
That Sophie and her little cheek to shoulder pose that she always does when she smiles just kills me. I can’t believe you’re a mom of 5. 5!
Thanks for the kind words on my cooking! I really love to cook but don’t get to do it often when it is just me…I have this issue with eating leftovers…I can only do that so many days in a row…then I get bored.
It was a fun holiday season and I am looking forward to a wonderful, adventure-filled 2012!