The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer...

...is hanging out with your best friends! Last night was the third annual Christmas party/gift exchange with my best friends and I. To say I was a little bit excited is an understatement. I was practically peeing my pants I was so ecstatic! This Christmas party is special every year, but this year I knew it would be extra special because it would be the one time over break all my best friends were together again. Plus, I knew it would be a night of non-stop laughter, non-stop eating, and non-stop fun :)

After a challenging run with the boyfriend, we went to lunch and a movie (Young Adult--not too good), and then hurried to the store to buy ingredients for my fabulous contribution to the party. Each year we have a ginormous feast and each bring a side or dessert. This year I decided to bring appetizers and a dessert. So Todd and I got to work! He was my little kitchen helper for the day and taste-tested everything assisted me whenever I needed help. We made pretzel bites, mozzarella balls, and mini brownie cupcakes. 

Pretzel bites in the upper left corner, mozzarella balls in the tin tray, mini brownies with pink frosting

My fantastic boyfriend finished up icing the brownies (and even did the dishes!) so I could shower and get ready. I'm tellin ya--he's a winner! :)

 Anyway, the party was awesomesauce just like it is every year. We feasted til our buttons popped off our jeans and shared stories about our crazy college experiences so far. I was so glad I got to catch up with the lovely ladies I hadn't seen in months! Here are some of our delicious eats....

Of course we also had to have our secret Santa gift exchange. This year I had Jean! And she had me, which was pretty funny. Jean got me the cutest scarf, cup and picture frame. I absolutely loved them!

Jean's present to me

My present to Jean

After all the present hubbub, we decided to go to a movie....in our pajamas. And yes, we wore full-on embarrassing, flannel, wack job pajamas.

We saw Footloose (and may or may not have gotten some stares while walking into the theater) and laughed and talked throughout the entire movie. Yeah, the other people in the theater may not have been too happy, but hey, you only get to be with all your best friends over break live once, right?? :) The rest of the night we hung out, just like old times. Every time we're together I think how blessed I am to have these beautiful ladies in my life. They really do complete me!

Today is another fun-filled day of cookie baking with mi madre y mi hermana. We gots lots o cookies to bake! But I'll leave you with this....

Merry Christmas!!!!