To the salon we go...

I'm pretty sure he should win some sort of award here.

We both braved the salon. 
He sat through a head full of foils and 20 minutes under the dryer.

He sat right by me,  never making a peep.

He's a trooper, I tell ya.  A real trooper. 

How did I get so lucky???

I love this kid!

Pictures with Santa

This weekend we had our first ever pictures with Santa!

It was perfect!

We timed it just right- beat the church crowds.

Long enough line to play for a minute then hop right up in the Big Man's Lap.

He wasn't really sure what to think of him, 

He sat right down- gave him a quick once over and decided he'd trust us.

I'd say the first attempt was a success.

Four Times the Turkey & Sweet 'Taters

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We did.

We are full to the brim.

We started eating Thursday at noon and continued till Sunday at 3.

4 Thanksgiving dinners.

It was DELISH!

Every last bite of it.

I didn't get pictures of all 4 locations so instead of posting only partial, I'll just share this one.

I'm so thankful for this boy.

This year, we have so much to be thankful for.

Health to be #1.

I was sick last year, so this year I'm thankful for my health.

I'm thankful for my boys.  I love them dearly.

I'm thankful for my home.

I'm thankful for sweet Kirby.

I'm thankful for our new piece of land.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to build a home.

I'm thankful for our family.

Those that are here, and those that have gone to heaven.

I'm thankful for our jobs.

I'm thankful for friends.

I'm thankful for a wonderful school where Easton can have fun and learn.

I'm thankful for our church.

I'm thankful for Jesus. 

I'm thankful for so much. 

The list could go on and on.

Instead of being thankful on this one day of the year a few months back I started a Gratitude Journal.

Each night I write at least 5 things that I'm thankful for.

It may be as simple as a fun ride in the car to school with Easton, seeing a rainbow, or having Pizza for dinner.  Or it could be something big, like closing on our land.

Either way, I'm finding something every day.

It's a good feeling.

Because even at the end of what you think is a crappy day, there's always much to be thankful for.

I encourage you to do the same.

What are you thankful for today???  Every day???

She's 18

I remember the day she was born.  It seems like yesterday.  I was sitting in the cafeteria at Baptist Hosptial with my Nana when they called us up.  She was coming.  I stayed by my mom the entire time.  I watched her birth.  My first birth at 11 years old.  I was a sister.  And only child, turned big sister.  I was on cloud 9. 

We brought her home and I have nothing but sweet memories of her. Of course, these memories are all in a photo box somewhere stored away.  It was waaaaay before digital cameras so I have no pictures of this angel of mine.  My sister.  Mine.  All mine. 

She was the little toddler sister everyone loved.  She won the hearts of many.  She nosed her way in on the couch any time we were all pilled up.  She would never go to bed if there were friends over.  I spanked her once.  She had a lazy eye.  She looked up with me with those sad eyes and I melted.  From then on, she had me by the pinky.  She still does. 

She has a heart of gold.  She's got style like you can't believe.  "She's meaner than a damn snake." She's beautiful.  She loves Jesus.  She loves her family.  She's loyal.  Don't cross her.  You'll be sorry.  She's tender.  She's honest. She's on her own time.  She's talented.  She's a daugher.  A sister.  An aunt.  A friend.  She's my sister.  My friend. 

And I can't believe she's 18.  Where did the time go???  Sniff sniff.

 

These are some of my favorite pictures of her.  Look at those tweetie bird glasses.

Today we celebrated her.  All day long.

We started with a trip in a limo to the Pancake Pantry. 

After breakfast we headed down town.  Mom and Ali got tattoos.  I wimped out. 

Should I decide to get another, I'll match with them.

It's a little bow that's an infinty symbol

with an xo at the bottom.

That's there signature mark.

xo this, xo that.

We finished the night with SATCO and Pottery.

She's 18.  I cannot believe it. 

Happy Birthday Sas.

I love you more than I love my luggage.

O Christmas Tree

Well, we're a little ahead of the game this year.

We decided to take advantage of a Free Friday Night and get out The Tree.

We hauled all the boxes from the attic and began assembling the tree.

BUT WAIT....

"Boo....we can't put up The Tree without watching Christmas Vacation...it's tradition"

So the tradition continued on, this time with a little helper, and it couldn't have gone any better.

Other than our pizza never arriving, which was a LARGE mishap at Pizza Hutt...but we survived.

And had a great time along the way.

We have to put in every.single.branch. Every.last.one.

They are color coded, and you have to fan out each branch. each.one.

Then we have to string the lights.

I bow out at this point and work on decorating other parts of the house.

Or take pictures.

I hate stringing lights.

 Maybe it's backwards, but we always put the angle on before ornaments. 

I guess because she has to be plugged in.

And our little helper did the honor this year.

I loved it. 

I sense a new tradition.

 After the lights, comes my part.

This is where Lance bows out and finishes up the movie.

And Easton, well he just runs around wondering what's next.

Then we all sit back and enjoy our hard work.

We kept it simple this year.

I wasn't sure how many ornaments would survive toddlerhood.

When you sit back and squint, you know it's perfect when it looks like this. 

Ahhh...I love me some Christmas bokeh.



Successful Christmas Tree!
Happy Momma!

Merry Christmas to all.

And to all a good night!

I love you

Just a little video I captured last night while we were playing in the kitchen.

Normally it goes a little something like this:

A: I
E: I
A: LOVE
E: YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

We're working on it!

But we had a little snack to distract us...but I got it for the most part!

Click on the link below to watch the video!

Easton's I LOVE YOU video

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Saturday afternoon we took a little drive out to the country.

We found a delicious sunset to capture some sweet moments.

Here a  few of those.

Easton,

When I think of you, my heart wells up with pride.

And my eyes can't seem to contain the tears.

I never ever dreamed that I could love someone so much.

That one smile could absolutely melt my soul.

But you, son, you do just that.

You are the perfect mixture of me and daddy.

Sometimes I get sad when I think of how fast these days are going.

But the older you get, the more fun we have.

You are a blast.  An absolute joy.  A busy little bee.

I love watching you grow and explore new things. 

You test the limits.  And you know exactly where that limit is.  And you'll stop.

You are my boy.  My first born.  The ONE that made me a mother.  Forever.

Buddy,  you have no idea how much I love you.

I pray that as you grow you will see just how happy you make me.

And how much I love you.

I praise the Lord for your life.

Every day.

Thank you for being you.

Perfect you.

I love you,

momma

Trick or Treat

We started our weekend with a Fall Party and a Parade of Costumes at Easton's School

If he wasn't the cutest little scarecrow I've ever seen.

The plan was a cowboy but we couldn't locate boots.

So a last minute effort and a scarecrow he was!

He had his first sugar-overload.

Cupcakes, Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Muffins, Juice Boxes...oh my.

{special occasions only...}

This was our first pumpkin carving together!

Easton and Daddy scooped out the seeds.

Easton wasn't too sure about it at first, but after some encouraging he dove right in.

I finished up the carving, because I'm the 'carver' in the family.

Boys can be the diggers. 

We had a big crew at our house before we went out for candy.

If there's one thing I love, it's a house full of people.

My heart is full when I'm able to host those I love.

We had a plethora of food and desserts.

SO.MUCH.FUN!

We trick-or-treat the right way.

Lance drove us on the golf cart from house to house.

I think that was Easton's favorite part. 

The first house we went to, Easton went IN.  Thank goodness we knew them. 

We trick or treated about 15-20 houses then called it a night.

And for proof- I did let him eat a Blow-Pop.   

I'd say our First Trick or Treating was a success!