Christmas week

This week has been awesome! I worked Monday so that I could help with our Christmas party at work. But I have been off every day since then and it has been so nice! Heath was at the deer lease from Monday-Thursday. During that time, the boys and I got a lot done and also had so much fun. We had a few more homemade Christmas gifts to finish up... 

...Finished product. I had three  16x20 prints made (Lucas, Cason, and this one), then cut three 2" boards to fit the pictures. Painted the boards black, added a hanger to the back, mod-podged (is that a verb?) the pictures to the board... and there ya go. They look GREAT when hung on a wall. The thick 2" boards give a really neat, chunky look. I'm making some for our walls next!! Mom and Dad loved this easy, inexpensive gift!!
We also cleaned out some toys from their rooms, and did minimal everyday housework. We tried some new recipes for some holiday goodies (got this recipe for mini pineapple upside down cakes from pinterest, of course!)...

We rearranged furniture, and finished wrapping Daddy and Papaw & Nana's gifts. After Heath got home Thursday, we enjoyed spending the time together as a family playing, eating, visiting with friends, and even spent a day shopping with Papaw and Nana! I got to feeling festive one evening ... curled my hair and dressed up an old shirt with this adorable flower pin (made by Kate).  Isn't it amazing how the littlest thing can totally get ya going?


 
 

 
 
The rest of our time was spent enjoying one another, exchanging gifts, and of course... eating! We are so blessed and fortuante for all of our family and friends. I, for one, feel so completely blessed to be married to my best bud and have two sweet little boys with him. He spoiled me once again this year. He bought me a watch and a ring that I've had my eye on for quite some time, in addition to several other little treats.

The boys opened their stockings Saturday night:

 Then, gifts before church on Sunday morning. Heath actually had to wake the kids (and me!) up this year. The boys got three big gifts. We figure if three gifts were good enough for baby Jesus, surely that is good enough for us!! That crazy elf Skeeter had to have his hand in on things of course. Lucas' "big gift" was an X-Box 360. When we got downstairs, Skeeter had unwrapped it and by the looks of things, played ALL night long! Cason's big gift was a Jeep Powerwheel. He LOVES it. The weather hasn't been ideal for outside play today (very wet, muddy, freezing cold). Hopefully tomorrow we can get outside and enjoy it!

After church, we went to Mom and Dads for lunch and to let the boys open gifts from them.  We had deer steak, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls and blackberry cobbler. We all pitched in to get the food cooking...

 so that we could open gifts.

And now, we are worn out from playing. The house is quiet, except for the snoring (wonder who that is?). I am finishing up this post and my bowl of cobbler, then joining them! Hope you each had a very blessed Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus! (Lucas got a kick out of singing Happy Birthday to Jesus at church this morning)  2011 was a great  year... looking forward to even more adventures in 2012! In fact, I probably won't blog again until next year... wow, thats a thought!

I can't successfully complete this post without posting this... it just wouldn't be right.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas... finally

We had a bit of a rough start trying to get our Christmas decorations up this year! We did a little at a time, which actually wasn't bad. Might have to try it again next year. My favorite part of our tree is the deer antlers we added this year. Most of our ornaments are old and homemade, which I also love. I am very into burlap this year... trying to not make the whole living room look like a burlap monster threw up has been hard. I have been working on a ruffled burlap tree skirt but I am not done just yet so for now there is just a plain piece under the tree. I also have some deco mesh burlap to spiral around the tree, which will be my last finishing touch. Here's a little look at some of our decor:

You know I can't blog without sharing a picture or two of my two favorite little boys! After that, it IS bedtime...for all of us!

Foto Fail

When Lucas was about 20 months old (right around Father's day), I took some really cute, professional looking pictures of him in front of a blue sheet and put them in a frame for Heath, complete with a poem and a handprint. Ever since Cason was 19 months old I have been meaning to do another one for Heath for Christmas, but we stay so busy I just now got a chance to work on it. So, one night a few weeks ago after Daddy left for work and Lucas was asleep, we set up our "studio". (couch, black sheet, baby... check!) Well, let's just say... the timing just wasn't right. Cason was NOT interested in entertaining my camera. He had other plans and did not have time for posing. Granted, I still got some super precious pictures of him laughing and playing...but we will have to try again for the pictures that will go in the frame with the poem! (he is also a fast little booger, which makes for some blurry pictures!)

Enjoy - I know I sure did.

I don't have time for this... let's play instead, ok?!

peek-a-boo!

See Mommy, this is so much more fun!

 Then he decided that his car must be in a picture, and the car must be on the couch!

OOPS!

Does an Elf live on your shelf?

Those people that created Elf On the Shelf are really smart. I just want to hug them. Creating an elf that lives in your house for the month of December to spy on  watch your child for Santa? If that isn’t brilliant I don’t know what is.

Our elf, Skeeter (HEATH chose his name), flew in from the North Pole this past weekend. We considered inviting Skeeter over last year, but the boys were too young and we really just never got around to it. This year we are already having so much fun! He looks like a sweet guy, but he really is a michevious little elf.

The first morning when we awoke, Skeeter had saddled up on our Christmas reindeer! Lucas was so skeptical about this "magic" elf, but he is now a believer!! (in the book that accompanies the elf, it tells you that each night the elf flies to the North Pole to report to Santa. when he returns, he chooses a different spot each time.  these little elves are known for being trouble makers! the only rule is that you cannot touch your elf, or he will lose his Christmas magic!)

I just hope that I don’t forget to move Skeeter Skeeter doesn’t forget to fly to his next spot every day. Because that would be a big disappointment, wouldn’t it?


Evidently, Skeeter is going to gain bravery with each passing day. Just look at what he did last night! (yes that is shredded toilet paper) HE is quite the little messmaker. Lucas' first question was if he had to clean up after Skeeter's messes!

My goal is to make a book named "The Chronicles of Skeeter" (with pictures and stories of all of Skeeter’s adventures) for the boys to open on Christmas morning. A little story that we can read all year long. I thought that would be a fun gift for them from Skeeter.

Do you have an elf living on your shelf? Would love to see your pictures and/or hear your ideas. Can't wait to share The Chronicles of Skeeter with you!

(another) wedding weekend

Yep, you read it correctly. We participated in another wedding this weekend! This go-round, I was a bridesmaid, Lucas was ring-bearer, and Dad performed the ceremony. The bride, Carey, was stunning. Jeff was in complete awe of her the entire night. It was perfect. I didn't take many pictures since I was occupied most of the time with my bridesmaidly duties, but I did get a few. The Christmas decor was just right, too. The trees and lights made for a very pretty wedding. I can't wait to see the photographers pictures - we took some really fun shots!!

Before the ceremony, while the girls got ready, Carey wrote a letter to Jeff that Dad read after they said their vows.

 The adorable flower girl, Sarah- Carey's neice, waiting patiently to get dressed:

 A long time friend of ours from high school, Jaimee, did our hair. She did SUCH a good job. I wish I could keep her hidden in my closet to do my hair daily!!

Obviously, I didn't keep my monstrous camera slung across my shoulder for the duration of the ceremony, so all I have is before, and after. of course, last minute stuff before the ceremony like checking her phone, fixing (pulling, poking, taping and even sewing) her dress, last minute hair touch ups, and a few pictures were necessary before making the grand entrance.

I have literally watched this girl go from being just a girl to being an amazing young lady. She and I worked together when she was still in highschool, only 17! I was her supervisor, and even after we both moved on from those jobs, we've remained friends. We really understand each other on so many levels and I am so glad to call her my friend. We've been by each others sides through her mishaps with friends, boyfriends, and college classes.  I remember the night she met Jeff, a little over three years ago. I wasn't with her but she called me as soon as she left and had to report that she'd just met her future husband. That night she claimed that she'd one day be Carey Gambill. Its nice to know that sometimes dreams do come true!

this little cutie was the only "boy" allowed in our room!! ain't he a doll? he is jeff's nephew, jace. (son of justin, jeff's brother and one of the groomsmen) Beside him is justin's girlfriend, jaimee (hairstylist) sister, and fellow Loveladian, Kristie. (everyone in lovelady is connected in some way)  She helped with makeup, and did a great job also!

I thought my three guys looked particularly handsome, but they always do in my opinion! Cason liked wearing this black hat that used to be Lucas', but he insisted on pulling it way down over his ears most of the time.

 See, in this one he was mad at me for taking the hat from him. Before I took it, he had it pulled down over his eyes and ears. (He is saying, "MY HAT MOMMY, OK?")

 My hunny and me:

 Lucas was people watching and Cason was cutting a rug on the dance floor. He enjoyed every minute of it!!

Sunday was rainy, cold and perfect December weather if you ask me. The boys and I got a lot done while Heath rested (had to work Saturday night and Sunday night. And tonight for that matter). We grocery shopped, which was much needed. Our cupboards were quite literally bare.We also managed to get the beginning of our Christmas decor from the attic and put some of it out. We are saving the tree for this weekend when Heath is off.

 Lucas loves these snowmen, because he says it looks like the four of us!!

Our handmade stockings:

I also managed to complete a few projects yesterday. I saw something similar to this in the store but ya'll know I am cheap and if I can make it vs. buying it... I am all for it!  Lucas helped me with the painting. Once I hang it, I can take *some* of the kids artwork off of the refrigerator and pantry door. I know Heath will be happy about that!

 While I had my crafting shoes on, I whipped out this homemade mouse pad to take to work (scrapbook paper, heat-n-bond, and a cork board cut in a cute shape... good to go!)

After craft hour, we made cupcakes. Cason's favorite part of the day!! YAYYYY for cupcakes!

You can't tell because of all of the CHOCOLATE, but earlier in the day the boys were coloring with markers and I , um, drew mustaches on their faces. ha!! I'm just a kid at heart. (side note- the chocolate cupcakes are REALLY good if after about five minutes in the oven you drop a Hershey's kiss in the middle).

Lucas was very tired all day. Weddings are hard work!

 Overall, it was a great weekend spent with family and friends.  I got a lot done that I needed to cross of my "list", but there is one large task that didn't get much attention... LAUNDRY. Guess what I will be doing this evening?? How's the saying go? Laundry today or naked tomorrow!! Happy Monday yall!

 (yes, I really did just put my dirty laundry on my blog!)