Holidays!

Long post ahead since September was my last update. We've done so much in nearly three months.

Since we knew we were going back east in October, we planned as much Halloween themed fun as possible. We did a couple Halloween crafts right before we left!

West Side Story was also in production at the theater near our house. I was so excited to go! We watched the first act with Lexi, but we had to leave early because she was sick and needed to go to sleep. I buoght tickets for another night, but then the show got canceled. Forever unfulfilled. That was the biggest disappointment of the season!

Right before we left, we moved into a new apartment.

In between all the coordination, we enjoyed a family Color Run. Lexi's first 5k!

I hiked with some running friends.

Zach and I celebrated our first year of marriage :) We (accidentally) got each other the same gift for our "paper anniversary."

We took Lexi to Peltzer's Pumpkin Farm.

And then we headed east in mid-October. We met my parents to watch the Duke vs. UNC football game! We lost, but it was an energetic game. It was fun walking around Duke's campus too...just like old times.

My mom started a 5k program! It was really fun walking/running with her.

We had a pretty quiet time in NC. It was really relaxing and nice to be home.

We took my mom to her first corn maze/pumpkin patch!

For Zach's birthday, we explored a little bit of downtown.

I got CPR certified! And then we went down to Greenville for a day.

I saw some high school friends while in town. They really lifted my spirits. Especially my friend, Jacqueline who drove a whole 2 hours to see me.

Leading up to Halloween, we did some festive/spooky activities!

Halloween was a blast! We should have ordered more candy, but hopefully we can do it again soon. It was so much fun seeing all the kids and costumes. I love how festive my hometown gets.

My cousin organized a surprise birthday party for my great aunt, so we drove out to be a part of the get together.

And I got to see more friends. This time from college.

When we got back to my parents' house, they had left to visit my sister for the week. We had a couple bear encounters while they were gone! Mostly they went through our trash. I guess I don't know how to handle wildlife in the country.

The next week, we returned to California. Immediately it felt like it was time for Christmas! Lexi and I decorated the apartment. It felt nice to finally be in my own bed. We had been gone for so long, a lot of our friends actually thought we had moved!

A week after we got back, I broke out into hives ALL OVER and eventually I started swelling. It was horrible! We didn't know what was going on, so Zach took me to the ER. They helped a little, but they weren't able to identify the cause. As soon as I got home, I started breaking out again.

This went on for three days. I called all my doctors and tried to see specialists. We even stayed in a hotel one night because Zach wanted to make sure it wasn't the environment. No one could really help me. I was miserable and Zach thought I was dying.

Then suddenly, I woke up and I was completely fine. We still have no idea what it was all about, and I'm worried it may come back.

Thankfully my body figured itself out just in time for Thanksgiving! It really is a miracle.

We hosted family at an Airbnb again this year. It was really nice to have the space! I missed my parents though, who had been with us last year.

After Thanksgiving, it was naturally time to gear up for Christmas! It came by quick this year!

We took Lexi to Peltzer again, this time for their Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Now it's all Christmas everyday! We are going to see A Christmas Carol this weekend, we signed up for another Christmas themed run, and Zach and I are going to see The Nutcracker in LA! I've been so fatigued lately, but I love Christmas time with the family.

Until next time :)