Happy 5

December 21st 2011

It's our FIFTH year anniversary today.

Five wonderful years with my amazing husband.

{I think he would say the same back.}

We've gone from these days...

to the present days that involve more of this...

with a lot of worrying about this...

{he was fine... no worries. smile.}

And feeling like we need more times like this...

{I think that's how most of us fell, though, huh?}

It's been an amazing journey.

Lots of Ups.

Lots of Downs.

But always grateful that we're on the path together. 

Here's to another awe-inspiring year ahead!

Happy 5th Anniversary!

Christmas and Traditions

December 7th 2011

I've been thinking about Christmas and all the traditions that go along with it.

So, I wanted to post a couple pictures of decorations around the house, along with relating some of the traditions I've been hearing about lately.

Collin and I needed to go simple this year, I did not want to have to fight Eithan every day about not touching the Christmas tree. {Boy, am I glad that I did that.}

Tradition Idea #1 : On Christmas Eve every one opens a present, and it is a pair of PJs.

I love this idea. Not only because it is something practical, but because on Christmas morning.. everyone is wearing new and matching clothes. You could color coordinate, give everyone something fun and funky. Your imagination is the limit. And if you like homemade... you could make the PJs.

So, we are starting this tradition this year. Eithan has some fun 'footy' pajamas sitting underneath the tree for him right now.

Tradition Idea #2 : Every child has their own little Christmas tree in their bedroom, that they get to decorate every year.

I had my own Christmas tree while growing up. I loved it. I loved putting on 'my' decorations, because they were my decorations. Along with the tradition of having a Christmas tree, I thought that it would be neat to have each child receive their own ornament. That way they have ornaments to take with them when they move out, get married, etc. My sister-in-law was expressing how grateful she was that my brother came with his own ornaments. She didn't have anything. Seeing it from this perspective really gave me the idea to continue with the small tree, but add in an ornament with it.
 
{So, I think we'll be buying some ornaments half off this year... ya know.. after Christmas. smile.}

Tradition Idea #3 : Make gingerbread cookies/houses/trees. The idea is just to make gingerbread.

My family makes gingerbread every year. It is ingrained in my very being to make gingerbread every Christmas time. And this year was my first year to make it all by myself. I made some with my mom as well... but I made my own batch and made my own cookies too. It was a great way for me to learn how to carry on this tradition with my own family. And I can't wait to keep doing this again next year. 

 

{My sister in law made this beautiful snowflake for us a couple years ago. I am loving them all over again this year. A placed them underneath one of our small trees along with some snowflake confetti. It is beautifully simple, and I love it.}

Those are the idea I have been hearing, and I want to know what traditions you all have in your families. 

The more traditions the better. 

I really want to be able to start creating memories with my children... and it will help give you all ideas too. 

********

So in the beginning, when I said that I'm glad that I didn't do a Christmas tree this year...

I want to show you the reason why.

This was the face that I received today after hiding my laptop, and he wasn't able to get it out again.

 
Trying desperately to get it out from under the couch.

Still trying, but getting really mad that he can't pull it out.

Can you imagine what he would do to a Christmas tree, if he is this intent on getting a hidden laptop??

{sigh}

Eithan and Leaves

November 24th 2011

This is a few days {ok weeks} late.

These were actually taken on Thanksgiving Day, but they don't have anything to do with Thanksgiving.

Collin decided to put Eithan in a pile of leaves.

The cousins had been raking piles of them together to play in,

and Collin thought that Eithan should join in the fun. 

This is what Eithan thought of this idea....

It was too humorous to not share, even if it is a little late.

Licking the Wall

December 4th 2011

Right now, Eithan is standing on his kid's chair leaning against the wall and licking it.

Collin and I are trying to figure out what is so 'tasty' about the wall.

We are both coming up blank on this one. 

Any ideas?

P.S. Eithan's first top tooth has finally broke through. 

It is the one on the left. 

Thanksgiving Family Pictures

November 25th 2011

I wanted to take some family pictures over Thanksgiving.

Collin's good friend Tyler was kind enough to help us out.

We really wanted to play around with a few different locations.

Unfortunately, it was really windy, cold and some of the lighting conditions weren't ideal.

In all of this, we persevered and were able to get some fun family pictures.

Oh... and once we were all done, Tyler had taken around 260 pictures. Whew.

{A big shout out to Hillary for coming with us and helping us all look good.}

{This one is my favorite.}

What do you guys think??

After taking all these pictures, Collin said something really sweet.

He told me how he appreciated having pictures of our family through the years.

So, to all you women out there who may not want to fight with your families...

DO it anyways.

They will appreciate it in the years to come. 

Easy Children's Birthday Card

Nov. 18th 2011

I made this card for a little friend of ours named Cy.

He was turning 4, and I saw this great card idea here.

So, I had to make it. 

This is so easy, and you could use it for a couple of different ages. 

Besides you can use whatever it is that you have on hand to make it!

I love how it turned out.

And I love how simple it is.

Just wanted to share the idea with you!