this is the first year we haven’t waited until after Thanksgiving to pick a tree.  I don’t regret it one bit.  We have family coming over on Friday so I wanted to kick off Christmas that way… or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.  It’s all just so magical and I want to stretch it out as much as possible.  This year especially.  Also I love that first picture because Tuck hugs and kisses with his eyes closed, and I love that so much!!

this picture makes me laugh!  Jb calls it “they told me this bar of soap was ice cream” … really it’s just that he doesn’t like strawberry yet.  And tuck got the chocolate end of the neapolitan ice cream sandwich.  Wes has theee best facial expressions. We got our Dixie Design invitations for JB’s clients Christmas party this year.  I am in LOVE.  They are even better in person.  

I couldn’t help myself with decorating their little kid kraft kitchen.  It’s only $76 dollars today!!!  and one of our most played with toys- two years later.  Though I’ll say, it’s a beast to put together.  But one of the toys that’s been worth that effort.

I also used foam boards on a couple old frames I picked up at the thrift store (50 cents!)  with Shannon’s Christmas wrapping paper as the backer.  Going to use it for Christmas cards and to tack up some holiday pictures.  But love one right here on the top of their little kitchen.

I took the boys to Busch Gardens on Monday which was a lot of fun. Crazy at times but worth it.  A little tip if you are in the area – there’s a line for double strollers for bag check/ticket check.  If some kind lady hadn’t told me, we would have been standing in line for thirty + minutes.  I thought it was some sort of mirage.  So grateful she told me!!

Made this old brussel sprouts recipe which my kids gobble up.

sous chef wes (:

Put a couple of these island pine trees I got at Trader Joe’s in some ginger jars.  Wouldn’t that make a fun hostess gift?  Especially with Dixie Design’s gift tags!

the boys in Kelly’s kids (c/o)

My head has been in a fog lately with either a virus, which I think it started out as, and now allergies.  So I’ve been a bit hard on myself lately because I haven’t been up for much… I felt like that anyway, but now looking back I can see we’ve had a lot of good times.  Despite them having a momma that’s a little foggy headed.

Anyway, if you got to the end of this massive picture explosion, I am impressed!  I want to say how thankful I am for each of you.  I couldn’t have imagined when I started my blog all those years ago in Switzerland, that I’d still be trucking along.  But I am, and I love it, and I am SO grateful you pop in here every once in a while.

Happy Thanksgiving!!