Christmas in September

No, really.  I am actually writing my Christmas blog post eight months late.  I had joked with myself about writing a "Christmas in July" post.  But I thought "Nah, I am on top of things better than that"    Clearly, I gave myself WAY too much credit.


So, without further a due...... Here is the epic blog post of Christmas 2013


First things first.  Here is our Christmas Card.  It is totally cheese ball, but I know you wouldn't expect anything different from me ;)

And here is my little worker bee, licking envelopes till his heart is content.

Our little friend, Elfie, was also back this year stirring up mischief.

 But...he also taught some wonderful lessons.

I was quite tired of my usual Christmas decor, but I had a very minimal budget to purchase new decor and even less of a desire to shop with the kiddos in tow.  This forced me to get creative.  I was absolutely amazed at what I was able to create using things that I already had around the house and it was FUN!

Here I used a free printable, a frame I already owned, recycled starbucks bottles, epsom salt, branches from a tree outside, berries from some old Christmas decor

 For the door, I recycled a grapevine wreath and used red felt to cover it.  I cute a star out of glitter fun foam and I used my silhouette to cut the vinyl letters.

 Landry also wanted to make a Christmas decoration for her room.

 How cute is that?!

My gorgeous stockings were custom made by my amazing Mom.  And the large print was a free printable that I got printed in a 16x20 at Sams. It only cost me $6 because I already owned the frame.

50 cent yard sale grapevine Christmas Trees + Roll of Velvet Ribbon (I happen to have on hand) = Beautiful bold trees to bookend my mantle.

One of my favorite decorations this year was our Jesse Tree.  Each night we read a Bible Story leading up to Christ's birth and colored an ornament to symbolize the story.  It was such a meaningful way to celebrate the season.  The Banner and framed chalkboard print were also free printables I found online.  Sorry I don't have links to all these goodies!

And I absolutely adore all the special little crafts my kids made 

A few random holiday happenings....

And we finally arrive at the night before Christmas.....

....and Christmas morning!

And this was the moment Cory and I had anxiously waited for, for months....

"We're going to see Mickey and Minnie!!!"  You can read all about our trip starting here.

Christmas 2013 was surely a Christmas we will never forget!

P.S.  I know I have more Christmas pictures hiding somewhere, so there may be a "Christmas in October or November as well" :)

Eli's ACTUAL Big Day, March 5!

I just realized I posted about our E-man's party, but I forgot to post about his actual birthday.  He officially became a 4-year-old on March 5 and we had a wonderful day celebrating this most special little guy!!

We adorned the breakfast area in streamers and banners to start the day off.  And then we headed to our favorite birthday spot, Donut King!!  The kids look so forward to going behind the counter and picking out their very own donuts.

And what fun are donuts if you don't smear chocolate all over your face?

Later on, thanks to my sweet friend Melissa, I got to take the big kids to Chuck E. Cheese

That evening, we celebrated with Chocolate Birthday Cake (because you can never have enough chocolate) :)

Mommy's Little Clown

I had one of those moments this morning.  A moment where I was filled with overwhelming guilt because I realized I am doing what every other well-intended mother has done.  If you are the baby in the family, you have most likely asked you mom why your life is so poorly documented compared to the first-born's.  I swore I wouldn't do it.  And in my defense, the camera has still been rolling non-stop.  However, I have failed to record stories about my baby.  Perhaps because I am busy pulling him off countertops and preventing him from breaking his neck, nevertheless, I need to improve.

Let me start with this little collage.  It needs no words at all :)