Oh how we love thee CALIFONIA Christmas!

 We're back in Chicago in full motion, classes, work, new small group (happy face for that one), and although it may not seem significant grocery shopping again has to go back on the list for me. After three weeks off of that, let me tell you it was hard to go back to hiking the cart up the stairs both ways, really, no really. 
Although we're excited about our semester, new classes, and exciting new experiences in the city, we are still mourning the loss of our Christmas vacation that was oh so sweet. Somehow 8 o'clock classes can't compete with sleeping in until ridiculous hours of the day, in'n'out, and family (in that order :)). Just kidding mom. We had a great time in California, oh sweet California, how we love thee.

This is us in Idyllwild doing some sledding, super fun, but super dangerous just ask my dad, well played dad. :) (insert monkey here).

Sledding!

Em's and her roomate

We spent our first Christmas together in Ventura with Jeremy's family. Jeremy and I decided to do stockings for his side of the family this year, just to mix it up and hopefully make them a bit more exciting than an orange. Such a strange tradition by the way. My mom has always done it too. Jeremy and I can't figure it out. But I guess we'll keep doing it. We'll probably do it to our kids, either that or coal. Anyways, We played a lot of games, my personal favorite the wii game Just Dance 2, oh wow let me tell you! There were lots of family parties, almost too many, but it was super good to see everyone and spread some good old holiday cheer. Somewhere in there we fit in a camp out with the "group" which aparently the only way in is through marriage, so I'm now known as the chosen one, I really had no idea or preference, but let me tell you it was fun. Side Note: can't wait for the Dilbecks and Lawheads to come visit us in Chicago. (we've been singing I am a snowflake way too often to be mentioned). 

 After our time in Ventura, lots of surfing by the way, lots of sleeping done by me. We headed off to Idyllwild where it was much colder and snowier, which was ok because we got to pretend it was Christmas all over again and do it in rewind, except this time with a white Christmas, which is my favorite! Like I said we went sledding and again played lots of games.

The Leih family, Jeremy taking the picture

At my house there was a little more sitting around but equal amounts of eating. Rest was so so good. But of course the three family Christmas's that we had to attend to did fill our time quite well. It was Jeremy's first time experiencing the greater Leih family Christmas, cousins, aunts uncle, grandparents, the works. Lots of gifts and lots of mess. It was soo good to see everyone though. Normal for me, but Jeremy was a trooper and totally survived it with battle scars to prove it. 


The countdown for three of our favorite gifts: Jeremy got Puerto Rico from my parents which is the longest most tedious and strategic board game you'll ever play and I LOVE it!!! Mostly because of beaten him at it twice, but Jeremy claims that that fact is under scrutiny.

 I recieved a book bag/ purse which is totally an upgrade from the dorky back pack I wore all semester long. So now I'll be doing school in style thanks mom! Use it all the time. 
And at the end of our list of favorite Christmas gifts lands the ever popular trip to Hawaii that the Allen's bought for the whole family to take at some point in our lives, we don't know when but it's coming and it's on the list! Thanks Allen family good pick :) Can't wait to wear my sundress is what I think daily as I put on my thirty layers in order to walk two blocks to school. 

This is how they told us through a puzzle let me tell you it was quite eventful. 

 So to sum it all up we had a great time, but most importantly we considered our time in California a gift from the Lord to recuperate and regear for the coming semester of learning and training for ministry, as we seek to serve him during our ongoing time in Chicago and in the future. Our classes are getting more specific to our majors and that is challenging as well as engaging. Jeremy is taking Romans in Greek which is exactly how it sounds. The phrase it's all "Greek to me" comes to mind when I think of that class, cause believe me it would be. But he loves the challenge and he sure is good at it. I on the other hand am taking every counseling class known to man right now. Counseling training skills, intro to counseling, marriage and family systems ect. My mind is swimming in counseling terminology. The other night I had a small meltdown after a conversation with a friend, as I realized that I had been speaking counselor. "I'm gonna be one of those wierdo counselor therapist freaks! our kids are gonna hate me, and I'm gonna over analyze you" I quote, speaking to Jeremy that night. Thankfully in his very sensitive and patient way he calmed me down. 

Ok I'm writing too too much. we love you all and welcome your prayers. (and by all i mean the five people that read this blog hehehe, moms ) 

Love, jeremy and amy allen (still just like putting the last name in cause i like him).