Well, good news! 
That crazy face is all mine through Christmas! He got the nod from his boss to take Thursday and Friday off this week. Woo!
We celebrated his early dismissal by driving to Winter Park to go on a long walk with Sadie after work.
I literally cannot remember the last time Ryan got off work early enough to go on a walk with me and Sadie before dinner. It is something we used to do every single day until his schedule got crazy.
I was glad to have him back! 
We walked through an area of Winter Park where the streets are lined with beautiful houses all decked out in festive decor.
I love seeing Christmas trees all lit up inside people’s homes. It gives me a warm, nostalgic feeling inside. 
Our walk lead us to Mead Gardens, where we ventured off the sidewalks and onto some trails. 
All the low-lying trees beckoned to the monkey in me.
Didn’t you know I’m part lemur?
We continued our walk, feeling quite rebellious for taking Sadie through the “no dogs allowed” area and back to the nearby neighborhoods.
Walking by gorgeous homes always makes me feel so excited for the day when Ryan and I eventually own a home together. I cannot wait to decorate and call a place my real, permanent home. Apartment living is fun and all, but I want to be able to make changes to a place and really makeover a home to suit our style.
One day!
After a short drive back to our apartment, it was dinner time.
Our friend Dru joined us this evening which made Sadie very happy!
Dinner tonight was buffalo chicken sandwiches.
This morning before work, I placed a couple of chicken breasts in the crock pot with some chicken broth and let them cook on low. When we arrived home from our walk, I roasted some butternut squash, broccoli and cauliflower while prepping dessert.
Ryan then pulled the chicken and I transformed it into buffalo chicken. Team work! 
Once we all cleaned our plates, it was cookie time. 
I used the Ghiardelli chocolate chip cookie mix that I robbed of nearly half of the box’s chocolate chips last night to make freshly baked cookies for us to enjoy.
Despite all of the chippies I inhaled last night, the cookies were still pretty good! Between me, Ryan and Dru, we polished off all 12 cookies from the batch. Like me, Dru is quite the cookie monster. I like his style.
Since Ryan and I both have the day off of work tomorrow, we plan to stay up a lil’ late and catch up on shows we have on the DVR while wrapping some Christmas presents. It’s the most wonderful time of the yearrrrr!
So happy he gets some time off! He deserves it and you deserve to have all the time you wish with your loving man.
That picture of you climbing the tree totally cracks me up. It’s so….you!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
My 2 fav pics of this post: you on the tree and ryan pointing at the ‘No dogs allowed’ sign with sadi next to him – haha
Anon
So glad you get to spend more time with Ryan! It’s an early Christmas present
Were those cookies lacking in the chocolate chip department when you munched on em?
Enjoy your night monkey woman!
Meg
those houses are amazing!
Sarra
Glad to hear you have Ryan for all of Christmas!! I don’t think anybody should work Christmas Eve or day- no matter what type of job they have. Well, unless it’s crucial that they work of course..but you know what I mean.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss
thanks for the post about the first job! i am a recent college graduate and a bit nervous and worried. I know I just have to keep on truckin! LOL
liana
I am so happy you got to enjoy the day with Ryan, you have epic tree climbing skills!!!
Sana
How awesome that Ryan gets Christmas eve off!!!!
Looks like ya’ll had fun!
Healthy Chocohlic
Looks like you guys had a much-deserved, relaxing evening (weren’t you two both “quality time” love types? haha). I can’t wait to wrap my Christmas gifts tomorrow…I can’t believe Christmas is only 2 days away!
Anna @ ciaotochow
That’s great that he gets work off! Enjoy some much deserved quality time!
Katy (The Singing Runner)
I’m happy for you he gets work off! I did notice how you guys were not getting your evening walks together really!
that BBQ chicken looks super easy!
dinner tommorow? Possibly.
carlee
Lucky you. So glad you get your other half to spend Christmas eve eve and Christmas eve with! I want to live in one of those gorgeous houses..now!
Molly
Having time off to enjoy the holidays is one of my FAVORITE parts about Christmas. Getting to slow down and reconnect with life is the best, and I hope you and Ryan enjoy your day off tomorrow!
And I agree–apartment living makes me appreciate the comforts of a house a lot more.
Amy @ Serve At Once
those must be some yummy cookies! Ghiardelli is my FAVORITE mix.. i dnt know how they do it.. but they do it well
Carrie
That’s a beautiful neighborhood. I love driving around and looking at houses this time of year. I wish I lived in an area where I could walk to do it, that seems like a lot of fun. I even like looking for the trashy decorated houses…you know, the ones with really WEIRD stuff going on haha!
Have a great holiday!
MelissaNibbles
Awww, what a wonderful CHristmas present!
Lauren
My husband only had to work Monday this week, it’s been SO nice having him home and all mine until Monday
It’s also nice for him to see how hard it is to be a full time stay at home mom. The past 2 nights he has sent me out alone after dinner to have a little me time, it’s been bliss 
The houses look beautiful, love the decorations!!
Jen
Jen
YAY for having Thursday and Friday off!
Happy Holidays, girl!
Gabriela @ Fro-Yo Lover
Happy Holidays!! Hope you guys have a great next couple of days together! And Sadie too
I’m sure she’s super pumped to have both parents around–our dog, Otto, doesn’t know what to do with himself when we are both home on days when we usually aren’t.
Jess
Lol – my dachshund always acts like our guests are there to see her! I mean, why else would they be there if not to see her?!
Katrina
Aww, one of my best friends lives in Winter Park! The last house looks just like hers! Maybe it is!
Laura @ Meet Virginia
Sounds like a wonderful night. I used to love driving over to Winter Park to see all the beautiful homes. You captured some of my favorites on the main road. That area is sooo pretty!
Chicago Cuisine Critique
what a gorgeous area! i just found out a couple months ago that there was a winter park in florida…it’s beautiful!
Heather (Heather’s Dish)
When you put your chicken breasts in the crockpot are they frozen?
Brooke
nope! they were fresh. if you’re going to use frozen chicken breasts, make sure to thaw them first. apparently putting frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot can allow them to stay in a “dangerous” temperature zone for too long.
peanutbutterfingers
Those houses are absolutely beautiful! I feel the same way about wanting to own my own house. I don’t like living in an apartment. I’d much rather have a place to call my own. One day
Hope
I realize this is belated, but I’m glad Ryan got some alone time with you through the holidays!He definitely is a hard worker!! What irks me is that he is walking around with SHORTS while I find that a full uni-snowsuit and heated underwear aren’t enough for the weather we get in winter! Thanks for rubbing it in!
lol. jk
Have a wonderul week!
Barbara
Barbara