Wishing you...

A happy, healthy & prosperous new year!

Happy Holidays...

From our family to yours!

Silver Tidings!

This year I changed up our Christmas decor. I've been wanting to change it up for a few years now and this was the year. For the last couple of Xmases our tree was turquoise and silver while our other decor included light green and purple. Well, I found quite a few things on clearance last season and saved them. The thing is, I forgot I bought stuff and went out and bought more stuff this year. Our tree is tiny. Maybe just under six feet? But that's because we don't put on the bottom layer of the fake tree. However, next year, with all of our extra decorations I will be using the whole tree!

I also posted earlier on my DIY snowflake wreath, we also have some new stockings, and I filled our apothecary jars with silver ornaments. I love the way it all turned out BUT I really want a mantle! We don't have a fireplace so we hang our stockings on a mirror but I love decorating and we don't have room or a place to decorate so that's where a faux mantle comes in. Keep a look our for it cause when I get one I'm going to post all about it. Oh, and one of these years I'm going to go with RED, silver and white! Too late for this year.

Disneyland CandleLight Processional

Last week was a dicey week. Most of us were under the weather but we still made it to the Disneyland CandleLight Ceremony. As an annual passholder, I won wristbands for reserved seating, and it was amazing! We had awesome seats just 3 rows from the reader for the evening who happened to be none other than Disney great, Dick Van Dyke! He read the story of Jesus' birth and the choirs sounded great! We totally caught a lucky break! It rained the night before and the night after and it had been raining off and on the day of the ceremony. But by evening the skies had cleared! The crowd was also very light so we had a late night snack and took a ride on the Haunted Holiday Mansion. A super fun night!

Thoughts & Prayers

A horrific tragedy occurred today and 20 little angels are now in heaven. My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to the families whose loved ones were affected by this tragedy including those little angels, teachers, staff, and the community.

I have a heavy heart knowing that these little angels, just a tiny but older than Jacob, were innocent victims in a senseless act. Lives cut entirely too short. So tonight, hug your loved ones a little tighter...I know I will.

THAT time of year...

Isabella has been sick for a couple of months now. Don't worry, she's been to the doctor, all is fine. And Jacob has been sick a couple of times in the last few months. I know Bella's system is getting used to the preschool atmosphere and Jacob's already adjusted. Now me, well something is trying to get me. For the last couple of nights, I've had fevers and chills. And a little body ache but nothing else crazy major. Maybe a little nose issues but that's it. Unfortunately (fortunately?) we got complimentary tickets to a candlelight procession at Disneyland, and between our illnesses and the possible rain, I'm crossing my fingers that we make it! Keep your fingers crossed for us! Till then, we'll keep the meds flowing and the vaporizer roaring!

{DIY} Snowflake Wreath

This year I wanted a new wreath. My ornament wreath had seen better days and is now missing a bunch of ornaments. So, I searched Pinterest for something a little different. I found a ton of cute wreaths, however my main criteria for a wreath was to withstand extreme outdoor conditions. Okay, not really extreme but nothing made out of paper. So, a popsicle snowflake wreath it was!

I found the directions for my wreath from a few sites including www.craftnest.com but I followed the directions at www.ballardbunch.blogspot.com. Sorry if there are no links (posting from my phone sucks). You can find similar directions at both websites just pick one that works for your vision. Oh, and this wreath is ridiculously easy. The only time consuming part was getting the angles straight but that was my borderline OCD kicking in. But isn't it cute? I *love* it!

Off to the Dentist & Writings

We've been very busy at the dentist. Last week Jacob went for his usual twice yearly check up, and his teeth looked great! Except, he had a tiny cavity. So, we got it filled ASAP. He did extremely well without any laughing gas. The dentist kept praising him, and he loved getting a toy from the toy box. A green spiked ball to be exact, and he got to watch one of his favorite movies, Despicable me. This was his second cavity and I think the culprit was/is fruit snacks. He begs for them daily but he does not get them daily. Not like he used to, so we'll see if that helps anything.

And in other news, I'm a proud mom! Jacob can now write his name! It's not perfect but I'm proud. It took him about 2 months. I have no idea if that's good or bad but who cares, he can do it!