Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy Monday after a long weekend a little bit of a break from the blog world! We are back to the grind today after a long and interesting Thanksgiving weekend! It ended up starting a bit earlier than expected, as we woke up Wednesday to Jackson running a fever. It was around 101, so I immediately texted daycare so she knew we wouldn't be coming. I decided to work from home, because while my mom is the best and is always willing to watch my babies, sick little ones just need those mama snuggles when they aren't feeling the best. Despite the fever, Jackson really seemed pretty okay otherwise, which is highly preferred to colds and stomach bugs! We spend Wednesday night at home, enjoying some pizza and relaxing to kick off the long weekend.
Jackson still had a temp when he woke up on Thursday, so we decided to keep him home from Thanksgiving at the farm. We knew there would be kids there, and so again despite him acting pretty normal, we didn't want to be those parents who share! ;-) So I headed out there with Lincoln while Mike and Jackson stayed back home.
I felt bad that Jackson was sitting at home cooped up, so we went ahead and put the tree up a day earlier than planned. We didn't decorate, we just thought it would be fun for him to see all of the lights, but wouldn't you know, he spent most the time throwing a tantrum over who knows what. Terrible twos, I tell ya ;-) Lincoln enjoyed the show though!

Considering I had already exposed everyone at my parent's house to whatever Jackson had, we still went over there for dinner. And I took the obligatory turkey photo of my mom and dad. That bird is my dad's pride and joy every year! And it really is the best turkey ever.

 

My grandparents came over, and it was fun to watch them with Jackson. He even shared his crayons with his great-grandma while telling her all of the colors :-)

 

 

 

My sweet boy.

 

And our family photo. Including Christmas pajamas, a Vikings hat, and a proudly displayed pumpkin. Because why not!?

 

On Friday, I ran into town early to hit up a few stores, and seriously I think I will officially just stay home next year. Every good deal was already available online, with no crowds! I ran to Gap Factory for a specific pair of pants for the boys, and they were sold out in both sizes, so I went and ordered them online from the parking lot ;-) I did go to Hobby Lobby and found a bunch of pretty picks for myt ree that were all half off, so I scooped up a bunch! When you double the size of your tree, your old amount of decorations just don't cut it!

Mike went down to watch the state football tournament Friday night so it was just me and two crabby little boys. Once I got Lincoln down, me and Jackson laid on the couch and watched his favorite episode of Wallykazam for the tenth time of the day and looked at the lit up (and still undecorated) tree. He is just the sweetest little man, I could snuggle on the couch with him all day.

 

On Saturday, Mike came down with whatever Jackson had, so with one on the mend, we had another down and out. Aside from a Target run with Lincoln, we didn't do much of anything on Saturday. It is always such a bummer that the season of getting sick is also the holidays. Especially now that we have kids, I swear someone ends up being sick every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas! I did brighten the mood a bit with two precious little boys in another set of their Christmas jammies. I could just eat them up!

  

Sunday was another lazy day. We hung out at Mike's parents for a bit, and spent the remainder of the day cozied up on the couch. And it wouldn't be a Sunday night if we didn't finish it off with The Walking Dead. Does anyone else still watch it!? It has changed so much as the seasons have progressed, but it is our absolute favorite and we so look forward to it every week! It is great to have something that makes Sunday nights a little more bearable :-)

Linking up with Biana today!

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Our Christmas 2015

Just like that, Christmas has come and gone. Every year it seems to go faster and faster, and this year was no exception! We packed a lot into a few days, but great memories were made and our little guy lived it up!
Last Wednesday, we were prepared to go down to see the Macy's display in Minneapolis, but unfortunately last minute Jackson and I had to stay home. So what does a mama do with a little man dressed to kill with nowhere to go? Well, first you let him bang on the piano.

The kid loves the piano. 

Then, you head to the mall, and enjoy a bit of browsing and last minute shopping with little to no crowds. Crowd free shopping two days before Christmas? Yes, please! Wednesday night was low-key, and in keeping with new traditions, we ordered pizza and lounged and enjoyed the sight of the tree.

On Christmas Eve, Mike and I realized we needed a few more gifts (does the shopping ever end!?) So we were up bright and early at the mall, again, free of almost any crowds. I grabbed a coffee, we browsed a bit, and then headed home. I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen with Mike's mom, preparing everything for that evening. As Mike's siblings began trickling in, everyone started playing games, we opened gifts, and ate WAY too much good food.

Stop, drop, and pose.

Jackson really doesn't understand gift opening yet, and honestly he could care less. You would think the idea of tearing paper to shreds would appeal to him, but alas my toddler boy really isn't big on making messes. He did love the things inside of the wrapping paper though, and had tons of fun playing with his homemade trainset from Grandpa Dave and his build-it-yourself- tent from his aunt and cousin! Of course, his favorite thing to do is still run around rearranging a bunch of old toy balls that we found in the garage a few weeks ago. Simplicity is what that kid is all about.
After gifts, we sat down to dinner, ate even more food, and just relaxed. Jackson stayed up a little later than usual, and my buddy was pretty pooped by the end of the night.

 An angel if I ever did see one!

 Me and my sweet boy.

After putting him to bed, this mama could barely keep her eyes open, but we got gifts set out for the following morning, and were in bed minutes after laying the little guy down!

Christmas morning, we went upstairs to open gifts from Santa, and once again, Jackson really could care less.

 Vacuuming while testing out his new potty chair. He is our efficient child.

 He caught on quickly to shooting the basketball in the basket!

After gifts, I whipped up a breakfast casserole, we lounged around, and after Jackson took a nap we headed over to my parents for their Christmas. We grabbed a family photo quickly when we got there before Jackson started stripping off his clothing and getting into everything ;-)

I cannot get over his cheesy smile in this picture! He has figured out the camera and literally will pose for pictures now!

Grandma and grandpa wanted a picture too. This picture makes me laugh out loud. Are those not three of the cheesiest smiles you have ever seen!? My mom has some genuine smiling going on, but Jackson and my dad? Priceless.
We opened gifts, and Jackson made out like a bandit with his new rocking horse and slide.

He quickly discovered the fun in the slide is crawling up, not sliding down ;-)

We sat down later to our annual seafood dinner, complete with shrimp, crab, and lobster tails, topped off with peppermint ice cream cake. It is the meal I look forward to all year, it is soo good. We packed up and headed out shortly after, as it really had been a long few days. We got home, and little man was crashed and asleep in a matter of minutes. It really was a wonderful Christmas, and while I am sad to see it go and to prepare packing away all of our decorations, I am already looking forward to next year, with a new house and new baby, I have a feeling it will be our best, yet! :-)

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Holiday Cheer

I am linking up again with Jessica at The Newly, and Sara and My Journey of Doing, for some more holiday cheer this Tuesday morning! This week, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite pieces of Christmas decor.

Advent Calendar

I picked this up a few years ago at Target, and am just in love with it. The quality is fantastic, and it is perfect for sticking a little treat in every door. Jackson appreciates all of the lights and twinkle of Christmas this year, but he doesn't get it, if you know what I mean. He is all about the caramel filled hershey kiss in the calendar every morning though, and while I hate sharing my candy with just about everyone, nothing makes my mama heart happier than seeing him take his half of my chocolate every day.

Glitter Trees

I think these are all sold out now (womp womp) but Target killed it with their dollar section this year. I picked up these glitter trees for $3 a piece, and am in love with them! As we are in a temporary residence with roommates known as the in-laws, my decorating has been kept fairly minimal this year, so I just made do and placed these on our little TV stand display upstairs.

Stocking Holders

Another goodie I picked up this year that is sold out, these glitter reindeer stocking holders are my absolute favorite. I have always just done little hooks for our stockings, but decided that since we are going to have an awesome fireplace in our new house, it was time to invest in some nice sturdy stocking holders. Note there are four holders on the mantel, but only three stockings. I can't wait to see the fourth stocking added in for next Christmas, in our new house, with our newest little addition :-)

Tree Topper

I really struggled over the past few years finding the right tree topper. Did I want a star, an angel, one that lit up, a big one, a small one? My parents had an angel on their tree when I was growing up, and I always liked the symbolism of it versus other tree toppers, so I did decide on an angel. I found this one last year at a craft store, and love it. It is big, but not too obnoxious, and I love the colors, the feather wings, and how it pulls the tree together.

Also, please note that she is cradling an Adrian Peterson ornament. My husband may have declared the ornament our tree topper in the years that we did not yet have a tree topper, and I guess Adrian wanted to reclaim his place at the top. It drives me crazy, but I also secretly think it's cute and don't have the heart to move it, so we technically have TWO tree toppers this year!

Mini Tree

This year, I got Jackson a mini tree for his bedroom. To be honest, he is oblivious to the fact that it is even in there, never tries to touch it, and is generally just not interested. I love it so much, though, and know that in future years it will be so special for him to have his 'own tree'. All items were scooped up at target for cheap/with coupons, and the whole thing was thrown together for less than $20. 

My new favorite part of the day is reading stories and singing our lullabies before bed, and rocking my precious boy with the only light coming from the tree. It's the little things.

Can't wait to see what all you ladies have to share today!

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A Little Bit Of Holiday Cheer

Today, I am excited to link up with some of my favorite bloggers, Jessica at The Newly, and Sara and My Journey of Doing, for sharing our favorite things that embody the holidays. I think this is such a fun way to highlight the little things that make our hearts smile this time of year, and remember down the line when our babies have grown.

One of my absolute favorite parts about the holidays is turning on the Christmas tree, lighting a candle, and just enjoying the sight.

This year, I added a few 'animated' ornaments to our tree. One is a church that plays 'Joy to the World', and I think I am driving everyone crazy turning it on, but Jackson smiles so big when I do it, I can't stop. 

The other one is a phone that you twist every day to call the North Pole all through December. Jackson loves this one, even though he has absolutely no idea what it means. 

The voices of the little elves are so cute, and I can't wait to watch my kids rush to the tree as they get older to turn the day on the phone.

I know that the 'elf on the shelf' craze has been around for the past few years, but my parents literally invented the idea before I can remember. My mom has said, more than once, that someone out there is RICH off of her idea! We had three elves in our house, and they magically moved every night, eating cookies and candy canes and getting into all sorts of trouble. I remember on Christmas morning, they always had Santa's cookies in their hands, and the note that he left us led us to believe they were really his elves and the best of friends.
Last year, while I debated for a few minutes hopping on the official 'Elf on the Shelf' train, I ended up scouring the internet for the exact elf toy that my parents have.

 I cannot wait to show my kids that our elf is the same as the elves that moved when I was a little kid, and that our elf and the elves at grandma and grandpa's must be related. Again, while Jackson doesn't yet 'get it', our seven year old nephew does, so we have someone to entertain with our magical moving elf in the meantime.

Christmas wreath cookies. You guys. These are so simple, so easy (albeit sticky) to make, and so delicious. They always have been, and always will be, my absolute favorite Christmas cookie. I display self control and only make this during the holidays, even though I would love to indulge in this favorite recipe year round. Important pointer; mix the food coloring into the sticky mix before adding corn flakes if you want a nice, even color for your wreaths!

And, last but not least...Christmas jammies.

 I just love, love, love me some Christmas jammies. My little man has been sporting them for the past few weeks already, but am loving watching him run around looking festive and oh so sweet every day. It is so true that nothing will make you love and appreciate the holidays more than seeing them through the eyes of a child. I absolutely love having the magic put back into things, and am soaking up every little minute and memory that I can with my family.

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