Sneak Peek Week!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!
And living in this winter wonderland makes it even sweeter!

*This picture was taken from my backyard just a few minutes ago! Isn't it incredible? Sometimes I am truly in awe of the beauty that surrounds us.

We've been busy little elves working on all kinds of handmade gifts and sweet treats for the holidays. I love being crafty and I especially love that Dane enjoys helping me. I thought it would be fun give you a little sneak peek without exposing too much so we won't spoil the surprise. ;) After the holidays, I'll be sure to post pictures of the final products so everyone can see.

Here's a little something for the Grandparents. Hmmmm....I wonder what it could be?!?!

Movie Monday

Thankful for all our many blessings indeed!

Sunday Snapshot

Donuts & biscuits after church make us happy!

What makes you happy?

Happy Thanksgiving!

This time of year is always a bit hard for us being so far from our families, but despite that we managed to have a wonderful time taking in all that is Thanksgiving - friends, fun, football, food and of course - duck hunting!


No Thanksgiving is complete without my Grandma's crunchy red wine vinegar salad, Nannie's hominy dish, a box of Stove Top Stuffing and what I've coined as "double stuffed" potatoes (otherwise known as twice baked potatoes.) So while Daddy spent a few hours with Erik hunting ducks, the boys and I were busily working in the kitchen!

After all the food was prepared we headed over to Natasha's house. The boys had a blast running hanging out with Kellen & Jenny and we adults had a fabulous time stuffing our selves silly while telling fun stories around the table. It was a perfect day and we feel overwhelmingly thankful for our full lives. We truly couldn't be more blessed.

I managed to only snap one picture (shame on me!), so here's one tiny snapshot of our day.

Anxiously awaiting....

Happy Birthday to ME!

I'd say this was probably one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time! Daddy made it absolutely wonderful - I was spoiled ROTTEN! It started with a wonderful weekend - sleeping in, breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants sans children, card making, and a movie date with my dear friend Wendy all planned by Dan! Then there were the daily chai teas delivered to me in bed in this adorable new cup for several days leading up to my big day. :)

And Daddy didn't stop there! Some how he managed to have the first real snowfall land on my birthday (I say real because we did have one snowfall a few weeks ago that caused quite the ruckus at school but it didn't stick and was gone as quickly as it arrived!)

Attached to a beautiful scarf and gloves, I got this handmade card from Dane. It's a bit small, but he's drawn a picture of me wearing helmet and goggles so I'm safe on my monster truck!

And if that wasn't enough, Dan had a birthday cake delivered to my school so all of my co-workers could enjoy it with me! And in the afternoon Dan personally delivered my favorite chai tea from The Flying Squirrel while I was teaching.

And here's Sneaky Dane - caught red handed licking every last morsel out of the cake lid.

Thanks to my 3 boys for making my day so special! And to all of my family and friends for all the phone calls, cards, gifts and love showered upon me. I really do feel pretty blessed and I suppose being 39 isn't so bad after all.

Sunday Snapshot

This cutie and I had such a nice night tonight.

Daddy (who was not feeling well) and Jaeger Ray went to bed early and Dane & I got cooking.
I found a wonderful lasagna recipe that we made about two weeks ago, but it was super time consuming. So, tonight, I enlisted help.

Maybe Dane will actually give it a try for dinner tomorrow night since he put his heart and soul into helping me make it.