*a road trip re-cap via iPhone photos*

Last week we threw on our velour track suits, grabbed our chess boards, and packed up the car to head South (West) with the rest of the elder generation. Of course those first two things aren’t true, but we did make our way from Northern Michigan to Southern California for some good ol’ winter hibernation.

We began our trek down through Chicago (to give extra kisses to the nephews of course) and journeyed on through Nebraska where we spotted cows. Actually, I mean where we were taken over by cows. So. Many. Cows.

It’s hard to turn on your TV these recent days and not feel overwhelmed; the urge to wrap your arms around those you love and pull them a little bit closer suddenly deepens. The best part of the holidays is being able to do just that, and being surrounded by family has a beautiful way of reminding you of all the light that is in this world beaming through the darkness.

We had the sweet treat to be surrounded by all of my (Amy’s) family members for Thanksgiving, celebrating on Friday – and even replaying the Macy’s Parade to enjoy together. My sisters and I split up the cooking duties this year, and if there’s one thing to know about our bunch, it’s that we have a pretty spectacularly huge love for good food.

Victoria was working as a bartender in the quaint little town of Christmas, Michigan. It was winter, which meant another tourist season for the Upper Peninsula as people traveled North to bundle up and play outside, cozy up to log fires in cabins covered in snow, and every other magical winter activity you can imagine. Cory and his brothers were among those tourists, taking a trip from Ohio to adventure through the woods on their snowmobiles. When they decided to take a break and stop in at Victoria’s bar, Cory’s eyes met Victoria’s, and the flirting commenced.

Winter melted into Spring, and Spring blossomed into Summer, and Cory and Victoria had only kept in distant contact. Eventually the snow began to fall and Cory made another trip North to enjoy winter in the Upper Peninsula. It was then that he and Victoria decided to take a chance and see what would happen, and before they knew it they were falling madly in love. Victoria made the move to Ohio, and from their sweet country farm home they have began planning their wedding!