Adventures in the snow

We were lucky enough to have a rare White Christmas this year. It was absolutely beautiful all day. The snow started during our morning breakfast and continued all day getting thicker and thicker. Luckily the roads were not bad and family were able to travel back home safely.

A Very Merry White Christmas...

Payton's Christmas Candy

Not sure what the official name of this easy chocolate treat is... but Payton has given them her own special name! She helped Mimi make these delicious treats for a family christmas gathering this weekend.

All you need: mini pretzels, bag of rolos, topping: we used m&ms and cashews.

Line pretzels on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Put a rolo on each pretzel. Cook in oven at 350 for just about 3-4 mins (just until rolo starts to melt). Remove and add your topping. Treats will harden in just minutes. Enjoy!

You've Got Mail!

YAY! It finally came... I've been not-so-anxiously waiting for my bright orange box to show up and yesterday was the magic day! I was so excited and relieved to finally have them in my hands.

CHRISTMAS CARDS!

I love making cards, I love sending cards, I love receiving cards, I love seeing the different types of cards, I love the photo cards of families and friends, I love keeping the cards, I LOVE CARDS. So I guess you know what I'm doing today... in my free time, of course!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to one of the coolest almost 6 year olds I know! We celebrated yesterday (a little early) because the 21st is just cutting it a little too close! But he comes away better in the end... usually we end up celebrating the big day twice!! He had a blast yesterday. He has waited so long for his big day to come around. I wish I could bottle up the energy and excitement he felt all day yesterday. It was literally like 'his feet were not touching the floor!'

Candy Cane is back!

Candy Cane (our own personal elf) was one busy little elf last night! He got hungry for a snack so he decided to make the kids some Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies. (recipe courtesy of Our St. John Family blog). The cookies turned out great... the kids have been loving waking up to find out what kind of mischief Candy Cane has been up to.

Breakfast with Santa

We celebrated an early morning Breakfast with Santa at the local high school. It was a great event! We even met up with some friends. The kids had so much fun interacting with the characters, taking pictures with Santa and listening to a story from Mrs. Claus. A great start to the weekend!

Stockings were hung....

Just a few snapshots around our house... I started decorating really early this year (like 2nd weekend in Nov) but I think I have changed or added something everyday. It's a never ending process with me. I guess that is how I accumulate so much Christmas decor. I still have a few ideas in the back of my head I want to try.

Bass Pro Shop

We headed to our local Bass Pro Shop last night to see Santa. They have a wonderful Santa's Workshop section and it's super kid-friendly. There are lots of things to color, make, play, etc. The kids had a blast looking at all the animals and following the fun foottracks on the floor.

Top of the List

Here are the top toys the kids are asking for from Santa this year:

Animal Planet: Black Widow Remote Control Spider Little Mommy: Baby Walk & Giggle
(We have literally heard Payton ask for this little doll every day
since mid-November.)

Ooooh... ahhhh....

I'm having googly eyes over this one!! Just imaging all the projects (and gifts) I could create with this!! Dear Santa.... I promise I've been good!

Flowers in Bloom...

I'm loving making flowers right now... over Thanksgiving mom and I made some cute headbands from a tutorial on lifethroughthelens.

I also just found this tutorial from Tatertots and Jello for another type of flower that I'm imagining would like great on jackets and in little girl's hair! I haven't tried this one yet, but I'm getting ready to get started! Not sure if I will try the leather or felt version.

Another fabric flower I'm dying to try is this one usually featured on My Crazy Life's adorable girls! I love the way her fabric flowers come out so I will be trying this version also. I can also see a flower like this on a great blazer or blouse.

Thanksgiving in Florida!

This photo collage doesn't really do justice to the trip! The kids had a blast with Mimi and Papa... riding on the airplane was way fun too. There were so many special moments during the trip. I'm definitely glad we went. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their family.

Top 10 from our Thanksgiving trip to Florida:

10. Eating dressing everyday

9. going to see the bunny rabbits next door

8. falling asleep in new beds

7. watching The Lion King on VHS

6. scaring squirrels through the kitchen window

5. collecting acorns

4. Payton falling asleep in Papa's big chair

3. RJ playing ball with anyone that would play

2. playing the silent game

1. Visiting with family!!

Almost ready to go...

We are almost ready to get going on our Thanksgiving trip to Florida! Important question I've been hearing nonstop for 2 days: is the airplane pink?!

Just one more.... please!

I'm sure my kids were tired of hearing me say this over the weekend. That is the way it always seems to go when we are taking family pictures. Nothing wrong with making a pancake breakfast in hopes the kids will remember your thoughtfulness (or be gently reminded) when it comes time to make pictures, right?!

Here is just a sneak... I'm almost scared to say we might have the one!! But, of course, I always want to take more!

Saving the best for our future Christmas card... still have so many ideas swirling around... trying to narrow it down to just one!

Top 5 this week

With Christmas right around the corner, my head is so full of thoughts of everything from presents, lists, decorating, Christmas menu, kids, school, etc. I'm trying to store all these fun ideas somewhere I won't forget about... any suggestions!?! ha! Found this super cute idea here.

Shutterfly also sent out a mailer this week with really cute photo card designs... even more ideas swirling around now - taking pictures with the family this weekend for possible Christmas cards.

And what about these for dessert on Christmas day?! Homemade Peppermint Oreos - some foods just sound good - this is one of those! I just might have to make a 'practice' batch just to check these out!

I've also been eyeing this little lovely from Wonderfully Wordy. I think I have the perfect place for it amongst my Christmas Decor.

I couldn't even resist this from The Vintage Pearl on Etsy. I've been eyeing it for so long... finally gave in and ordered it for myself. An early birthday present I guess you could call it!