InstaFriday.

Happy Friday!

And it's a Happy Friday indeed.

Brett and I got all of our Christmas shopping done today and we finally got our tree.

I can't wait to fill it with lights and ornaments tomorrow morning.

But until then I thought I would share my phone photos from the last week or so.

Enjoy.

My niece turned 4 and we had a mini celebration at Great Grandma's house.

 I finally hung these on my wall.

 It's starting to get chilly outside and thankfully Jacob is loving hats.

 Snack time. 

Notice the dog keeping close watch.

 Santa jammies and Hawaiian leis.

 I'm not sure why it looks as though he is throwing gang signs.

I promise he wasn't but we are from the LBC.

 His cousin's vest.

 Heading out for a late evening stroll to look at Christmas lights.

 One of Reindeer's hiding places.

 Does anyone actually know who to play domino's? We don't. We just use them to build towers and train tracks and walls and.....

Have a wonderful weekend!

If You Came to My House Today...

You would see that we are decorated for Christmas.

 (I made this wreath a couple of weeks ago and I'm loving it. Now I just need a better hook.)

You would spot our new friend, "Reindeer", who magically appears in a new place each morning.

I would offer you some of these.

Nilla Waffers, Nutella, Bananas and Sprinkles.

Thank you Pinterest.

Or I would let you try this.

Strawberry Yogurt, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

The perfect dip for fruit.

Jacob loves it.

And just to keep it real...you would see this.

It never stops.

Sitting in the Grass.

I can't believe a whole week has gone by and I have not blogged even once.
Our days are already filling up quickly with holiday activities and it's only December 4th.
That's just crazy!
I'm sure over the next few weeks I will be spending less time on the computer and more time with friends and family, which is a good thing, I'm not complaining.

Today though, we had no plans.
Brett went to watch football with some friends so the boys and I just hung around the house.
I've been terrible about taking pictures of them lately so I grabbed my camera and we headed into the backyard.
I'm so thankful we live in a part of the country that is warm enough to be outside most of the time.
I think I would go crazy with these two in the house all day.

It seems like the leaves are falling from our trees much later this year, probably due to the warmer weather we have had. The boys spent quite a bit of time investigating the leaves, well Ethan more than Jacob. Jacob just had fun throwing them around.

I enjoyed sitting in the grass, soaking up the sun, wearing my Uggs.

I love them.
I started wearing them in the 8th grade and they are still my favorite thing to wear when it starts to get chilly.

The boys eventually started digging as it seems they always do.
I mean, what fun is it being outside if you aren't covered in dirt by lunch time?

Sometimes I forget to stop, sit in the grass and just relax, especially during the holiday season.

I'm glad I took the time today to just sit and play with the boys.

I know they need it just as much as I do too.

Getting Crafty {Advent Calendar}.

We haven't had an advent calendar in our house, ever.

I know, horrible mother.

Truth is I didn't want the extra candy around and Ethan was still too small to really "get it".

This year is a different story.

He's starting to "get it" so we needed an advent calendar.

I was browsing all the fabulous ones on Pinterest but most required sewing (I do not) and many seemed really time consuming (I have very little).

So I made a really simple easy one.

 All I did was cut strips of paper, fold them in half and hot glue the sides to make a pocket.

Then I cut out squares of green and red paper, stamped them with the numbers and hot glued them on.

 I then filled each with Christmas M&M's (a favorite in our house), hung some ribbon and used mini clothespins to hang them.

 I couldn't fit all of them on one strand but I like having two.

Best part, I only had to buy the ribbon and candy.

Everything else I already had.

I'm very happy with the end result and I know Ethan will be so excited to start counting down the days.

I know I am.

InstaFriday {late}, Thanksgiving and Christmas Lights.

We have been busy as I'm sure all of you have been too.

Since I have a had little time to blog the last couple of days, I thought I'd just throw all my ramblings into one.

Lets start.

I missed InstaFriday this week because I pretty much forgot that it was Friday.

Here's my cell pics from the week.

The littlest Raider fan and he even painted his face.

 They got to ride in the "cool" cart together for the first time. Big stuff for these guys.

 An afternoon movie with the cousins.

 He likes to use a beer coozie while having a little juice. Super classy.

 We went to the aquarium this past week.

It always cracks me up that the kids are always so fascinated with the frogs.

 Miss Radley reading about the sea life.

 The turtle was showing off.

 We made blackberry banana smoothies the day after Thanksgiving...so yummy.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day.

We spent time with both sides of our family and Ethan told me it was the best day ever. 

Here are some pictures of the day.

The Lewis Family

Lewis cousins.

Just us.

My boys.

Game Time.

The last picture is horrible but it represents the most fun of the night. 

Every year after we've eaten Thanksgiving dinner and settled down a bit we play Left Right Center.

Have you ever played?

It's great for big groups, which is perfect for us, and we love it.

I heard that after we left (kids needed to go to bed) the rest of the gang busted out the wave while playing.

My family is awesome. 

On Saturday Brett got all the decorations out of the garage and I've been working on decorating the house. 

I think this is the first year I've had all the decorating done before December 1st.

Well all but the tree.

Today the boys "helped" Brett with the lights.

They only managed to break one light.

Not too bad. 

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Thanksgiving {and a new tradition}.

While we were having dinner tonight we went around the table saying what we are thankful for.

Ethan replied, "I'm thankful for my whole garden and my whole family."

So simple and sweet.

While I could go on and on for all I am thankful for, I'm keeping it simple as well.

I'm thankful for Brett, my boys, the roof over our heads and our health.

Right now, in this moment I couldn't ask for more. 

I'm happy and fulfilled.

I have a great sense of contentment, which is not always easy for me, and I like how it feels.

I love our life, what we are doing, what we are learning and how we are growing (I know that sounds really cheesy but it's true).

I'm also loving the stages the boys are in right now, while they are sometimes rough, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I don't want to forget it.

So this year, I'm starting a new tradition.

I'm writing both of the boys letters of thanks, telling each one why I am thankful for them at this time in their lives. 

I'll put them away in their keepsake boxes and hopefully years from now we can sit around the table at Thanksgiving dinner and cry as we read all the letters I have written over the years..

At least that's how I see it playing out in my head. 

I know things will change as time goes on and I don't want to forget why I'm thankful for each of them in their own special unique way.

Lastly, Happy Thanksgiving to you.

I hope you enjoy the holiday with those you love most.

I know I will be and thanking the Lord for every minute of it. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

  1 Chronicles 29:13

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

InstaFriday.

It's Friday!

Here's my cell pics of the week.

Ethan got a new job. 

He likes pushing his brother around.

 Some mornings are just too messy.

 Lately Ethan has become quite the helper.

 After playing at my mom's house both boys fell asleep on the ride home.

It didn't take long, we only live 5 minutes away.

The metallic, gold lining of my purse.

Does your camera just go off in your purse too?

I swear my phone was locked but apparently not.

 I love this sweater and I don't wear it enough.

And yes, I'm in a public restroom taking a photo of myself.
Weird?

 Baby Gap has this amazing leather jacket for boys.

Jacob needs it!

Gold Glitter Nails=fantastic!

 Tomorrow is my niece's 4th birthday so we had a little pre-party today.

Happy Birthday Radley!

Any big plans for the weekend?

We've got date night, a birthday party, football and some shopping to do.

Have a wonderful weekend!