Tis the season...

Happy happy almost Christmas everyone! I can't believe how fast this year flew by! Don't blink, or you might miss it! This will be my last post of the season. As many others have said, especially since the CT tragedy, I really want to be present with my family and make every moment count. I will also be knee deep in festive wrapping paper until minutes before Christmas morning.

I wanted to share a few things before I sign off :)
My friend Kelly with Bubba-loo photography took the pics for our Christmas card and she did not disappoint....

Thanks Kelly, you rock!

My card board is filling up and makes me smile every time I see it. Checking the mail is so fun this time of year :)

Both of my kiddos had holiday programs at school. They were so cute to watch. It really warmed my heart to hear their sweet voices and see their smiling faces. It also broke my heart to think of the families of Sandyhook elementary school. Sweet angels who are now safe from harm, may they be resting in peace.

(Noah top row - center left ish)

(Hayden center - gray dress)

Noah has an awesome room mom for his class. She made the teacher this awesome classroom subway art.

His teacher definitely lucked out in the room mom department, she is super sweet and talented.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and hold those that you love close. Life is a precious gift and shouldn't be taken for granted. I hope your holiday season is filled with love, laughter, and lots of yummy food!

4th recap and a proud wife

Happy 5th of July everyone! Did you survive the festivities!? Hope so :) We had a very happy holiday!! Here are a few pics.....

We took a ride on the free trolley into Laguna Beach for a happy (gloomy) beachy day.

Brrrr.......

The kids didn't mind the gloomy-ness :)

But I remained in my long sleeves the entire time we were there. Haha. Brrrrrrrrr.

We ate some YUMMY food prepared by my hubby (& my mom's famous potato salad). YUM.

And then we headed to watch the fireworks over the harbor...
(Hayden is a super spaz these days)

Ollie fell asleep during the show :)

It was a terrific holiday spent with family. The very BEST kind of day :)

Oh - and I am SOOOOO proud of my hubby. He walked in the door the morning of the fourth after going to the store. He said, "you are either going to love this or hate it. The sign said "free" so I took a chance"

I am SO proud. His first roadside rescue was a super success. I love love love this mirror! My question is, should it remain a mirror or become a chalkboard. We shall see ;)

pssst...can you see a sneaky peek in the mirror?? Stay tuned :)

Happy HaPpY 4th of July!!!!!

HAPPY Fourth of July everyone!!!!! We are packing up and heading down to the beach for the day. I'm hoping the sun shows up today, but if not, we will still have a blast!!! Later, it's bbq & fireworks time :) YAY!!! I just love the 4th! SO festive and fun!

(I'm putting my Luckett's marquis #4 to good use today)

Yesterday we spent some time at a friend's house. She was having a 3rd of July party :)

It's hard to see, but Hayden got flipped around on the slide. She didn't like it. That was the only time she went down. haha!!

My sweet friend Ashley & I :)

It was a great day!

After we got home, we tried out a couple fireworks (which are actually illegal in our town - boo). Breakin' the law!!

I hope you all have a safe and super happy 4th!!!!! Happy Birthday America!!!!!

Oh - and I didn't get my 4th of July glitter banners in the shop in time - duh. Next year, I'll try to be more prepared ;)

And I also made this sweet ABC banner for the shop (which I think would look perfect in a nursery or play room).

I only have enough supplies to make 4 of these, so let me know if you want one :)

Ok - that's all for now.
Now - I head to the beach :)

Happiness is......

Happiness is..............Getting my packages wrapped EARLY this year (in cute wrapping paper) so I can relax more on Xmas eve :)

Happiness is........the fact that my SWEET husband planted holiday flowers for me because he knew I have ALWAYS wanted to but never ever have (thanks babe)!!

Happiness is..........Christmas cards filling up their fancy holders :)

Happiness is..............this happy little house that the kids and I made to surprise daddy :)

Happiness is...................This silly snowman counting down the last days until Christmas :)

Happiness is.......my sweet boy picking these lights out at Target and insisting that they hang over the door to his room to "welcome his guests."

Happiness is.......going with the family last night to the fantastic Christmas Light house that has music themed lights covering their house. See this post from last year for more pics.

.....and watching this little girl discover that she loves "warm" apple cider :)

.............and watching these goofballs enjoy the show of holiday awesomeness :)

And last but not least, happiness is having GETTING to go shopping these last few days before Christmas and being someone that LOVES holiday shopping crowds (not joking). I am a happy co-shopper and love the hustle and bustle that this time brings (the trick is to NEVER be in a rush and to just go with the flow).
Happy Tuesday everyone!!! xoxo

A big HUGE Thank you and some randomness...

Happy Tuesday everyone! It's a cold gloomy day here in SoCal and definitely feels Christmassy. Today is Noah's Christmas program at school and we are so excited to go watch him and his little friends sing their hearts out :)

First, I wanted to give  a HUGE HUGE thank you to my sweet friend Cassie! Not only is she SUPER talented and stylish, but she has the hugest heart and is one of my favorite people on the planet! The other day in the mail I received the most awesome package ever! Cassie made me some holiday cheer for my house and I'm dying to share it! LOOK.....

 It's hard to tell in the picture, but it is the most ADORABLE Frosty the Snowman paper bunting made out of a vintage book. OMG! I died when I saw it.

Is this not the most adorable thing you've ever seen!!?? If frosty decor was appropriate year round, this bad boy would be hanging up forever!!!

AND, if that wasn't the coolest, check out this awesome snow globe to go with it!!!!

I have seen a lot of cute handmade snow globes out there in blogland, but this one takes the cake! SO adorable I almost can't stand it! THANK YOU sweet friend, you rocked my world :)

In other random news, check out where Mr.Elf is spending the day today (getting in touch with his feminine side, ha ha)

I'm also happy to report that I'm finally starting to receive Christmas cards :) I thought one of two things was happening. Either my mail man was stealing my cards to pretend he has as awesome friends as I do, or I was being socially ousted for sending my own cards out sort of late every year. Luckily, it was the third option....none of my people were crazy early this year! Welcome to my world friends!! Mid December should NOT be considered late! So there!

And last but not least, I finally started some of my wrapping. I must have known that I was going to go the "colorful vintage" route this year because take a look at the wrapping paper I bought last year at Target after Christmas....

Could this be any more vintagey and perfect!!?? Yay me!! Ha ha!!!
Ok, that's all. Have a great great day!  xo