Christmas Meme

Saw this a while ago over on IROCKSOWHAT and had to do it for myself. Just because.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate. No. Egg nog. With whipped cream and nutmeg.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He leaves both.  In an ever-so-pretty way, he will set up some on display, wrap some, and stuff the stockings!  Such a creative, stylish, crafty man! ;)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? A mix.  We do colored outside and usually a mix of both on the tree.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. Always wanted to, just haven't paid the $1.99 for a little package in line at the grocery store.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The. Day. After. Thanksgiving. Right after getting home from Black Friday shopping (yes, I participate!)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? My hub's mashed yams. Yum!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Playing in the snow.  Sledding.  Making snowmen.  One year, Santa came early and I got a bike and a bulletin board (before Christmas!).

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly don't remember this.  I think I just kind of figured it out.  Such a traumatic experience I've repressed it, I guess! :)  Even though we know the "truth" about Santa, my family still practices the tradition.  It's just a nice feeling. :)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually no.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Growing up, we used a bunch of Hallmark ornaments.  My grandma would send us each a new one every year.  Now that I have my own Christmas tree, we decorate it with ribbon, balls, lights, at other mix-and-matchy ornaments.  No Hallmark ones (hubby isn't too fond of them).

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!

12. Can you ice skate? Umm... yes?

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I've pretty much always liked all of my gifts. :)

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family.  Food.  The mood.  It is the one time of year everyone seems happier.  Nicer.  More pleasant.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I love them all!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Santa. Family get-togethers. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

17. What tops your tree? A University of Washington Santa hat (at least for the past three years that's been our topper).

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving.  I love the choosing and (even more so the wrapping - I think I have an addiction!) of gifts.  I love watching Dustin get excited and open each of his presents.

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum! But they have to be the traditional peppermint ones.  I don't like anything else.

20. Favorite Christmas show? Oh goodness me... umm..... all of them?!

21. Saddest Christmas Song? "Christmas Shoes" by Bob Carlisle

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Uh..... all of them?!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

My baby boy is officially four years old {as of 11:51pm yesterday}.  He is growing up waaaay too fast!  He just needs to STOP!  But, alas, I know this cannot happen.  So I will continue to enjoy these happy/frustrating/new/adventurous/aggravating/exploratory/exciting years while they last. :)

Happy Birthday Dustin!

We love you!

{And you will always be mommy's baby!}

What We've Been Up To!

Getting ready for Halloween!

Wordless Wednesday: Stalker

I mentioned in this post back in June that my little brother has joined the Army and is at basic training right now.  I am so excited to say that my hubby is making it possible for me to fly over for his BCT graduation in September! {Yay! Thank you! I love you!}

I've been stalking keeping an eye my brother's Company on Facebook since I found out they had a page.  Each time they post new photos, I immediately search through them and seek out my own SIT (Soldier In Training).  So far, we've found one photo of him eating, and one video of him in the gas chamber.  I think I may have found another of him last week!

It's kind of hard to tell, but I'm almost 99.9% positive that's him!  I don't think he knows yet that we {my step-dad and I} are coming over for his BCT graduation.  It'll be quite the surprise!

Keep up the good work Bryce! {Even though you will most likely never see this! Ha!}

Blueberry Hill

When I was Dustin's age, my mom and I would get together with other family members and go to Blueberry Hill to pick berries.  I always loved it and I was SO excited when I got the chance to take Dustin to experience it for the first time!  I know that him being three he couldn't care less, it's just another berry field to him, but it was so neat for me!

Dustin would pick all of the "green-berries" ...

... and then steal everyone else's blueberries!

HAPPY WEEKENDING!

Wordless Wednesday: Photos

I've been working hard here at home, going through all of our photos, organizing, cleaning, editing, and getting a bunch of new posts ready! Be prepared for post overload this month! Just a preview of what I've been learning teaching myself playing around with... love!

{SOOC}

{Edited}

Happy Wednesday!

{Linking up with: the paper mama, jenni from the blog, bree: his honey and her mommy, and parenting by dummies!}

Friday Favorites

I usually don't post things like this, but I had to listen to it for an assignment in one of my classes and I found it really interesting!  So I thought I would share it for today. :)

Click here to go to video!