Insta Catch Up

Thanksgiving break.

So many relaxing days just hanging out as a family.

I loved having a few free days without a full calendar. Just cozying up as a fam. It was good for the soul.

Nana and papa took the kids over night a couple different times.

Andy and I got a bunch of holiday shopping done. We rarely get to do the Christmas shopping together. Usually we divide and conquer with one of us watching the kids and one of us shopping.

This year we leisurely strolled through stores together. It was fabulous.

Love theses advent wreaths Ab & Brody made in Sunday school.

Brody shows his to everyone that comes to our house.

Thomas every year.

I know one year they will be too big to have Thomas in their yard. Until then I'll savor their excitement over this silly train.

Ab made her family quilt block for Kindergarten. She wanted to make sure her favorite painting of Van Gogh's Starry Night was on there. That girl's passion cracks me up.

I love a mix of bright and funky with traditional Christmas decor!

Christmas decorations make me downright giddy!

This made me laugh. Naturally Brody would be thankful for food. He's a tank.

The Capernaum girls came over for a girls night of baking Thanksgiving cookies. It was a fun evening of baking, chatting, laughing, and making some interesting turkey cookies.

Brody was unimpressed with mom taking a Thanksgiving picture.

AJ is learning how to write friendly letters in second grade. Brody got this letter in the mail the other day. Hilarious.

I started Christmas cards the other night while watching You've Got Mail. Love that movie! And Christmas cards!!!

Those curls and that toothless smile. That girl has my number. Seriously if she asked me for a pony I'd figure out how to get her one.

New jams make me happy.

Pandora. 90's pop station. Best music ever.

Matching Christmas pj's for the whole family.

Oh but I did.

And it's awesome.

He's cute.

But potty training sucks.

Nough said.

Word.

Posted with Blogsy

Insta-Friday

Can't believe another week has come and gone. These kiddos are growing up right before my eyes.

AJ had his first reconciliation last weekend. So proud of that boy.

I was blessed with a morning of sipping a hot gingerbread chai, visiting, and window shopping with a good friend. Not sure what I would do without her. Well actually, I am sure I would go crazy. Completely bat sh*# crazy.

That same friend gifted me with this awesome Christmas ornament. Be.still.my.vintage.camper.loving.heart. I will seriously cherish that little gem forever. #maryflair

I couldn't wait any longer.

I blame it on the snow.

I love holiday junk food. True story.

#mylovelanguage

#willsewforjunkfood

I might be gearing up for Christmas, but I am not about to pass up turkey Jamberries! #gobblemeupjn

Brody made Rudolph at Build-A-Bear last week. He goes everywhere with us. Everywhere. And shows everyone his light up nose and music. It's pretty stinkin' cute.

I'm a hot tea gal. All the way.

This dapper fellow had his Thanksgiving feast at pre-school this week. I love how he loves school.

Ab was bummed after school the other day, so we dropped into Starbucks for a date & sang the entire Frozen soundtrack on volume 25 on the way to pick up Brody from school. Some mama time, hot cocoa, a peppermint cake pop, and loud singing made it all better again.

Loving those red berries against that black door.

Kid art never gets old. Seriously makes my heart happy.

Have a great weekend!

Posted with Blogsy

Insta-Friday

I am blessed with the most amazing people in my life. And twice a year I get to escape the chaos of the mama life to the mountains with a group of some of those amazing people.

Where I don't have snot on my clothes or have to yell at people to potty and put on their shoes fifteen times. Or wipe any bums. Or practice sight words. It's glorious.

We spend 3 days visiting, playing games, making jewelry, hiking, sitting in a hot tub, eating good food, and watching chick flicks.

It keeps me sane. I'm a strong believer in the need for a break every now and then. A freshing, restful break. It makes me a better mama.

I cleaned and vacuumed the van. It felt sooooo good. It's the little things in life. It was gross. We're talking petrified tater tots...naked barbies...socks... It pretty much looked like we lived out of it. The nice new clean van needed a festive air-freshener...so a trip to Bath and Body Works was in order. Word.

Then I got distracted and picked up a couple other things.

The struggle is real people.

So Colorado went from summer to winter in a day. Typical.

Love kiddos all bundled up in winter gear.

Don't love below zero temps.

BUT snowy weather calls for Snowy Jamberries and red cups!

Fo sho.

This scruffy guy kinda blends in with the snow.

Love that dog.

Ab had a turkey to save from Thanksgiving dinner.

It was one fugly turkey. We had a serious job ahead of us.

Mission accomplished.

$50 snow boots.

#robbery

Good thing he is cute.

This is Ab chillin in the car loop waiting to pick up the big kids.

Upside down.

Because right side up is boring.

Ab said, "Mom, I drew a picture of you! As a cat ice skating."

Right...

Tis the season for making festive banners and garlands!

Cue the sleigh bells!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

Ab and I had a little MJ photo shoot in the snow!

Girlfriend was workin it.

Seriously those freckles.

Last year I wanted to make the kiddos Christmas pillowcases, but ran out of time. This year it was going to happen. Even if it meant making them mid November. I was in the spirit.

Word. Have a fab weekend!

Posted with Blogsy

Around These Parts

Patchwork and corduroy. That strawberry blonde hair. That spunky spirit.

My heart.

#lifewithabby

This boy and his strawberry milk. That white blonde hair. Those chubby hands.

My heart.

I had a custom order for a super hero cape.

And now Brody wants matching capes for him and Andy.

Spirit night for school.

Love that these kiddos love their school so much.

This boy loves snuggle hugs.

Brody was star of the week in his class!

I love documenting what they love at this age.

He loves bananas, chocolate milk, camping, tractors, dinosaurs, sand boxes, books, going to the library, trains, drawing and cutting, building with duplo blocks, and bunny rabbits...

THE RED CUPS ARE OUT!!!

You know what this means?!!!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!

Seriously that red cup makes everything better.

Oh.my.goodness.

Polka dots, piping, cute buttons, that classic 1950's style dress.

Oh MJ.

I can't even handle Brody on that thing.

Does it get any cuter than that?!

I think not.

We had to buy book 9 on release day.

If the boy loves to read, we will wholeheartedly support that.

Those freckles. That smile.

My heart.

The kids had Election Day off.

Abby requested to go to the library, make pumpkin pie, and learn how to do laundry.

We rocked everything on her list.

Best life ever.

Posted with Blogsy