12 dates of christmas. date 5. a double.

date 5- what's better than a date, a double date. 

 roommates reuniting,

 homemade pop tarts, 

menus made of newspapers, 

two-story advent calendars, 

walks around the capital city,

 and conversations of reminisce in the midst of creating new memories. 

yes. please. more of that. 

 

we miss you already jill and joe. 

12 dates of christmas. date 4.

it just so happens that i am 4 days younger than caleb. 
so we kind of had a birthday week
full of sweets and birthday songs
my kind of celebration: life
...
date number 4. my birthday. 
and boy, did caleb blow me out of the park with his creative ideas. 

enjoying the sight of my new red roses & eating yummy chocolate (dark and milk!)
browsing the eastern market and snacking on all the yummy samples
gazing over the beautiful table settings at pottery barn
eating pumpkin ravioli and calamari at the old ebbitt grill 
(umm... hello nutcrackers!)
blowing out 24 candles & devouring peppermint ice cream
and surprise.......

a christmas white house tour. 
whoa caleb. you are the best.

and also thank you scottie fore for the tour. 

12 dates of christmas. date 3.

date 3: old town alexandria festivities

one year ago, i was celebrating christmas at one of the most festive locations- chicago. 

gawking at the macy's decorated windows

sipping spiced wine at christkindlmarket
watching candy cane making at the geneva christmas walk

viewing the walnut room's floor to ceiling christmas tree

dreaming of tea at the drake. 

however, i am beginning to find a similar cheer here on the east coast. 

for example, only in old town will you see...

civil war rein-actors marching and drumming down cobblestone streets 

bagpipers playing "joy to the world"

festive boats decorated for the christmas boat parade

santa cruising in on a boat through the potomac river 

christmas tree stores placed in the market square

new location. thankfully, similar cheer. 

12 dates of christmas. date 2.

happy birthday to the cutest blonde in town. 

it only seems fitting that our number 2 date would be celebrating caleb's birthday. 

24. 
(that's how old caleb is today) 
caleb told me he's now in the mid-twenties. 
i'm not sure i agree. anyways, the day was fantastic. 

cinnamon rolls
birthday balloons

rays the steaks

leather messenger bags

national lampoons christmas

candles

funfetti cake

(funny- most of the list consists of food)

well, i don't know a better way to celebrate. 

cheers to you, caleb. 

                                 

12 dates of christmas. date 1.

caleb and i decided to do 12 dates of christmas. (it may have been me deciding a little bit more than caleb) however, who doesn't like dates. and 12 all based on christmas. ummm.... YES!

so, i give you date one. finding and decorating our first christmas tree. 

 only in dc

thankful hearts.

i can't say enough how thankful i am for this thanksgiving. 

entire summers family together. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good. ^5 Fo    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 100:4-5

thankful hearts.