This year was my first Christmas without my family, but it was also Brendan and my first real Christmas together. We both had two full days off work (AMAZING) so we decided to go to Big Bear Mountain, about two hours outside of LA. Even though it’s a big ski destination we didn’t plan to ski. We just went because we thought the colder air and the snow would help us feel a little more Christmasy.
As we were driving we were keeping an eye on the temperature displayed on my car’s dashboard. We felt like little kids, getting excited as the temperature dipped lower and lower! I think the lowest it got was, like, 45, but still. We turned on some Christmas music and immediately got in the holiday spirit.
After we drove around a bit at the top of the mountain, we parked and wandered around the cute little village.
“Who wants to spend Christmas in a tropical climate anyway?” NAME THE MOVIE
Just snoozin’.
We bought ourselves some Christmas ornaments to add to our tree (we only have about 5 ornaments currently, whoops) and then ended up at a brewery. (TOTALLY NORMAL CHRISTMAS EVE ACTIVITY RIGHT?) We ate nachos and tried some local beer and randomly started SnapChatting our friends.
This is us. In case you didn’t know.
Moose? I don’t remember what this was about. But we sent it out.
And then my Dad sent this and I died laughing.
A TINY BIT OF SNOW!
The good version.
Behind the scenes. Look at that squat! #GetLow
After a few hours of maxin’ and relaxin’ all cool and all shooting some b-ball outside of the school (not really, we did no basketball shooting, I just constantly have the Fresh Prince theme song in my head, probz because I drive by Bel Air often?) we eventually headed back down the mountain. The drive was gorrrrgeous and Brendan drove this time so I got to take a peek AKA take a million photos with my head hanging out the window.
Not bad I guess.
More mountain-y sunset.
I’m out of captions for the same thing.
We drove back home and went straight to a local Italian restaurant we had been wanting to try, but naturally they were closed. Duh. Christmas Eve. The Chinese restaurant next door was open so we had a quick dinner there and then came back home to watch A Christmas Story, my favorite Christmas Eve tradition.
Our Christmas Eve scene.
On Christmas day we made a lot of phone calls, did some video-chatting, and took a long walk on the beach. I made baked tacos for dinner and we had some champagne to celebrate. It was a simple, fantastic day.
And now you know my life story. What are some of your holiday traditions? I love hearing about what other families do! Wishing you and yours a love-filled, healthy, happy 2015!
I love these blogs posts! How do you make it so fancy w pics?! I want to learn your skills! Ps lets hang sometime soon please
When we hang out I will show you
Awww this looks like a great way to celebrate your first sunny Cali Christmas! Weirdly it was 50 degrees here on Xmas…in upstate NY! Weirdest weather week ever. It didn’t feel like Christmas to me not being all bundled up in the snow for the holiday. Love the shots of the jump. I can’t ever get those on one try either!
That’s great it was so warm in upstate NY! So crazy! It’s about 55 here now and everyone is complaining about how cold it is :/
It looks like you had a really fun Christmas, Kara! Glad you guys got to spend it together in such a beautiful place.
Thank you Amy! Hope you had a wonderful holiday as well!
Awww, I love this! So cute! My family always has dozens of appetizers Christmas Eve then we turn on Christmas music and just hang out chatting. It’s simple, relaxing and perfect. We usually call our family, in England, at midnight (our time) to wish them Merry Christmas too!
My family does that too when I’m at home! A ton of appetizers and we just snack and watch movies
It’s the best! I guess I should have prepared some in advance, haha