Favorite Presents

Our family is so very blessed - 365 days of the year!  But, as always, we gifted too much to each other yet again.  However, we did get some fun (and relatively inexpensive) things that I thought I would share with you.  You can click to look at the actual sites.

Two of my favorites...

Plain Silver Cross Necklace (wanted one forever!)

My guiltiest of pleasures - True Blood!

A couple of Noah's Favorites...

Washburn Acoustic/Electric Guitar

A New Book Series by Rick Riordan - Read the Percy Jackson series first!

A couple of things from AnnaLauren...

KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse - we were thrilled with the quality for the price!

Maison Chic Fairy Princess Doll

And you guessed it, a couple from Tommy...

1/2 Zip Ralph Lauren Pullover

Donut House Coffee for the Keurig



Hope you are as blessed as us - and I definitely don't mean with gifts!

Without Glitter, Tinsel or Lights...

Darn Murphy!  When I decide to get back up and running with the blog, the screen on my laptop (full of all my pictures) proceeds to die.  Until the repairs are complete, I'll do the best I can! 

Until then, here is a post that I love with a name that I wish was my idea...

Mary, Did You Know (Bethlehem Didn't Have a Hobby Lobby)?

Christmas Tour of Our Home

I'm joining up with a couple of Christmas parties.  First off is The Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes.  The link is at the bottom of the post if you want to join in.

This year we continued to expand on our red and lime green theme.  I still love it.

First of all, welcome...
We went with lime green mesh with red and black and white polka dot bows.  I love the polka dot cross made from galvinzed tin as well!

The tree is done with the same lime mesh and all the ornaments are in the same red and lime colow scheme.  We added the large glitter balls this year and I think they add a lot.

We added a little garland and extra large ornaments to the staircase railing.

The dining room that we decorate with lots of fun colors.  I am constantly changing this room up! 

Lastly, this is my fantel (the dresser in my living room that's my fake mantel).  Since my real mantel is dominated by a huge tv, this is where I do the big decorating.  Tommy bought me the Santa picture at Kirkland's a few weeks ago and I am CRAZY about it!

The End!

Hope you have a holly, jolly Christmas!!!

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Christmas Blessings

Merry Christmas!

I hope that your blessings are great!

Dedicating Time to the Important Things

Lately I have felt pulled, pushed, twisted, turned and generally spread too thin.  Isn't it an awful feeling to know that you haven't had time to devote to the important things?  I want to spend time talking with Tommy about the little details of our lives.  I want to spend time hanging out with Noah to see if there are any new girls he likes or if he has thought any more about what his college major might be.  I want to spend time with AnnaLauren just painting our toenails and having tea parties.  I want to have lunch or dinner or a full conversation with my close friends from small group.  I do not want to spend time running errands, or catching up on work emails, or even attending another luncheon or dinner or party. 

I just want to slow down. 

Don't you?

Back in the Groove

So, I have started and stopped and restarted blogging in the last few months.  But, I finally feel back in the groove of things and I really miss sharing my kids, my home, randomness, etc.  So, we are on again and I promise to do better.  For a while anyway...

And just to start things off, here are a couple of AnnaLauren's daycare pictures from a month or so ago.  She is such a sassy mama!

And I promise to post about the following things in the next few days (weeks?)!

Disney Princesses on Ice

Ballet Class

Tupelo Christmas Parade

Christmas decor at my house

Noah's smarts

XOXOXO,

AnnaLauren's 3rd Birthday

Our precious AnnaLauren turned 3 on Halloween and so a bash was definitely in order!  There are such cute pictures that I am not going to include much text.  But, I was so tickled at what I was able to do on a budget that I am going to mention some of the great tips I learned along the way.

Everyone was welcomed with a candy bar that also served as favors.
All the containers were bought in the 2 months leading up to the party at a local thrift store.  I don't think any of them were more than $1.98!

 Topped by a gorgeous wreath made by Grams

Plenty of food was available for munching.

The cake stand was made with a $0.99 candle holder from the thrift store (spray painted white) that I attached to a $1 plate from Dollar Tree with Gorilla Glue.
All the remaining containers are either from a local salvage store or Dollar General.

The outside was so cute!

The centerpieces were fantastic and so cheap!  The gerber daisies were all bought 50% off at Hobby Lobby.  The glass cylinders, filler marbles and feather boas (stuffed into the cylinder) were from the Dollar Tree!

All the wings were, you guessed it, from the Dollar Tree!

I ordered a printable party package from Shindig Parties on Etsy.com.  Then, I printed and assembled the cupcake toppers, cake topper, banners, candy bar labels, water bottle labels, etc.  It was so easy and made the party look really custom for a minimal investment.  I will definitely do this again!

Yep, I forgot to buy birthday candles, but we made it!

And everyone had a fantastic time!

The castle bouncer was a bit of a splurge, but with all the money I saved on the rest of the party, it was worth it!

And if you still need to see more pictures, there are plenty below.

I can't help myself!

I'm linking to:

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