Our "REAL" Christmas Tree

Our upstairs family room is "almost" completed, and as I was decorating our house for Christmas the upstairs family room felt sad. Sad, because it didn't have a Christmas Tree in it. So, I decided that we were going to get a tree for the sad family room. I really wanted a real one, but didn't want it to be bare and ugly.

I got an ad in the mail and Home Depot was selling real Christmas trees. We went to Richfield and picked us out a beautiful tree. We got it home, decorated it, and it smelt heavenly. Now I know why all you people like real trees.

The girls were so excited.

"We have never had a real tree before," said Aniston.

Exactly one week later it was dead! I mean, dead, like needles falling off, I was afraid of turning on the lights, dead.

We called Home Depot and they said bring it back. I un-decorated the tree and we took the dead, sad tree back to Richfield, and got a new one. We put it up again, and decorated it again.

Which was good because I didn't get any pictures of us decorating it before. So after all the fun with the "real tree". I think I am going to buy an artificial one after Christmas for the upstairs family room.

And half way though the decorating, this one was done. She was on the floor rolling around and being her silly self.

Boy, do I love these girls, and the Christmas season, and spending time decorating, un-decorating, and re-decorating Christmas trees with my family!

21 Weeks...

Here we are at 21 weeks. I feel so good. I have so much energy during the day, but come 9:30 I am ready for bed. I can eat again and I want to! Christmas is the perfect time to "have to" gain weight. We are constantly eating YUMMY treats and snacks. I love it!

I have been feeling the baby move around a lot and I love it. I sort of feel selfish because I get to feel him all day and his daddy doesn't. The other night he was kicking pretty hard and Ryan did get to feel him and I think that he loves it too. I think that it is funny that you forget something so small as feeling the babies move and kick. It is an amazing feeling. I could just set there for hours and feel him move!

The girls are so cute and are so excited for their new little brother!

We haven't thought of any names yet. I have to see them before I can decide for sure.

Countdown to Christmas...

I made this countdown board at a CK holiday retreat. I didn't finish it last year because I was insanely busy with my "homeade Christmas". My poor sweet kids got neglected and I felt like a horrible mother!!
So with a new and improved vision for Christmas this year, I finished this board and we are doing little activities everynight. And it is so much fun. The girls LOVE to pull the next slip to see what we are doing. They aren't hard, unrealistic things. They are fun little things like write a letter to Santa, and make ornaments for their tree, make treats, and stuff like that.


I just have to say that it has been so much fun not stressing about making every gift. I am not even close to finished shopping and I am not one bit stressed out about it. Everything will fall into place and I am determined to just set back and enjoy my time with my family.


Tonight our activity is to make hot cocoa and read a Christmas Story. I just found this recipe and how YUMMY does peppermint whipping cream sound. We are so topping our cocoa with this stuff tonight.

Find the recipe here...Peppermint whipped cream

I hope that you are all taking the time to enjoy the little things!!

It's Beginning to...

Look a lot like Christmas

I am not done with my shopping...

I am not all the way done decorating...

But I do have a pretty good start...

But I am enjoying the season this year...

We have one tree decorated...

We have started our "Christmas Countdown"

with activities for everynight...


starting with our paper chain making

Ohh...this year we are going to have so much fun!

And my girls are going to be so happy come Christmas morning!

I really, REALLY love this season...

I'm So Thankful today...

that these 3 call me mommy...

And just in case you couldn't tell...

We found out just hours ago that
we are having a boy!

Today I am feeling so many different emotions. I saw my sweet new baby for the 1st time today. I saw the reaction of my amazing husband and my beautiful little girls.

We are all healthy and so very Happy! We have so many things to be grateful for right now!

I just wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Today...

I have been really, really bad at posting something everyday for 30 days.

I have been really busy and really tired!! And I don't see an end in site for either one of those problems.

But due to Thanksgiving being in a few days I just wanted to take the time to jot down some things that I am thankful for.

Today... I am thankful for the oppurtunity I have stay at home and raise my family. I am thankful for the chance to work from home. I am thankful for my husband who supports our decision for me to stay home and give our children the security, love, and support that only a mother can give them.

Today I am VERY thankful to be a stay at home mommy!!

{10/30}

I have been very bad at this 30 days of everyday. I just have been so busy with work and housework.

Anyone have those days when nothing goes as planned? I have them more than not!!

Ohhh, well...

Nothing has been going on around here. And since Ryan has banned christmas gift crafting, I am making a list of things that I want to do...

I want to make this... I found the tutorial here.

How cute is that to dress up a plain shirt with some jeans and my cute boots??

And, of course, Martha is going to show you how to make Peppermint bark right here.

I LOVE peppermint bark.

And I want to make one of these...

Because I am in love with scarves. I found the tutorial here.

And I am on a mission to "PERFECT" my Grandma Dallas Cinnamon Rolls. I know a few of you out there know what I am taking about. They were HEAVEN on earth. I found her recipie (after much searching) and I am going to figure them out, even if it takes me a million tries!!

So what are you making these days??

I am going to craft club tonight and I CAN'T wait.

I haven't made anything crafty for so long and I am having crafting-withdrawls.

And that is a real disease...TRUE STORY!!

And Last but not least...Happy Birthday Dad!! We love ya!