Holiday Ornament Swap 2017

I love love Christmas ornaments! I love pulling out each one and remembering who gave it to me or the special meaning behind it. I have so many favorite that I have been able to be selective with what goes on my tree and only put the ones that I truly love on there. So of course when the opportunity to co-host an ornament swap came about I was all in!

I was paired with sweet Tanya. One of my favorite things about these exchanges is that you get to meet new bloggers that you didn't already follow! Tanya is a SAHM of teenagers! And I thought I had it hard right now haha.

Tanya knocked it out of the park with my ornament! She sent the sweetest goodies and its as if she knew me already! I love a holiday themed dish towel. The notes pad of paper is just what I need for my crazy life right now and the two things of mini m&m's were met with squeals from my boys! And that isn't even including the precious ornament she got.

It's a beautiful glass ornament with a darling holiday scene on it and 2017. I love it and it's a great addition to my Christmas tree! Thank you so much Tanya!! To see what ornament I sent Tanya check out her post!

Now its your turn to link up below! I can't wait to see what fun ornaments you all got!

An InLinkz Link-up

Weekending

Hey Friends! Can you believe that Christmas is 2 weeks away? I am trying so hard to enjoy the holiday season and we are doing so many fun things but I am behind on my shopping..I've got to get my act together!

We had a busy week last week followed by a busy weekend! 'Tis the season, right? Luckily it's been all fun things!

Friday:

The boys went to school and I ran around and tried to do some Christmas shopping. The weather was nasty, cold and rainy..the worst combo! I also think we were the only place in the south that didn't get snow! I was so bummed.

Friday night Patrick and I went out to dinner with friends and the boys stayed with my sitter. She did the cutest salt dough ornaments with them!

Saturday:

We woke up to another dreary gross weather day but made the best of it! We had Breakfast with Santa at our club. The boys both did well with Santa, Graham is always a little nervous at first but he warmed up and at least sat on his lap.

After lunch Jack, Patrick and I loaded up and headed to Raleigh. We were going to see Disney on Ice with some friends and thought we may go to the mall to do a little Christmas shopping. Well, that was one of the worst ideas I've ever had. The mall was insane, we drove around for 10 min and couldn't find a parking spot so we bailed and just went on to the restaurant we were meeting friends at. We ate an early dinner at Mellow Mushroom and then headed to see Disney on Ice.

This was our first experience with this. Jack loved it! I will say that it was heavy on the princess theme but Jack didn't mind at all! He had a great time and it was fun to see him so excited over it!

Sunday:

We hung around the house playing before getting ready for Church. We met my FIL for church and then came home for naps. Jack decided not to nap so we baked some sugar cookies while Graham napped.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out and being lazy!

It was a great end to a busy week! We don't have much planned for this upcoming week which will be nice. I hope to have my shopping finis

hed by the end of the week!

Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide- Stocking Stuffers

I'm going to admit here that I am struggling with this gift guide. I don't know if my brain is just fried from thinking about all the gifts I've bought (have yet to buy) or thinking about all the gift guides I've seen but I struggled with this post. So after you check out my stocking stuffers be sure to check out Brittany and Owens posts as well! They may even be sharing some fun hostess ideas too!

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Now it's your turn to link up! Grab our button and link back to one or all of us. Be sure to check out all the others linking up for some great ideas! Thank y'all so much for joining us these past few weeks sharing all of the gift guides for Christmas!

North Pole Breakfast 2017

On Friday our Elf came for his official visit and we celebrated with a North Pole Breakfast. Last years North Pole Breakfast was a total let down for me, Jack was still really young (just turned 3) and wasn't really into it, in fact we couldn't even remember the name of the elf so I decided to just start over and let him rename the elf.

I set everything up the night before so that I wouldn't have to get up super early. Jack usually wakes up before I even do and goes downstairs with Patrick so I wanted to make sure that I didn't have to do anything but put out the doughnuts that morning. Lucky for me Jack didn't even really notice it at first and went to the sofa to watch a little tv before I came downstairs.

Graham sleeps much later than Jack does and I wanted them both to see it at the same time so I was able to distract Jack until it was time to get Graham up. It was so fun to see their reactions! Jack was so excited! They both took it all in and squealed a little. Jack decided to name the Elf Roscoe (after our sweet dog in heaven)

Graham was much more interested in the plate full of doughnuts than anything else, which doesn't surprise me! At one point he took the entire plate and moved it directly in front of him..haha!

The boys were gifted their Christmas jammies, a dvd, a book and an ornament to put on their trees in their room. Jack got a Chase Paw Patrol ornament and Graham got Peppa Pig. Two things they are both very much into right now!

It was a fun morning and we have enjoyed seeing what mischif Roscoe gets into!

He's ready for doughnuts hahah

notice Graham stuffing his face here...

 *linking up with Lindsay

TBB Asks-December

We had a great weekend full of holiday cheer! So much so that I'm too tired to recap it all today. But I plan on sharing all the fun we had later this week! For today I am linking up with The Blended Blog to answer so fun questions about December! 

1. Real or Fake Tree? Up until this year we have always done real but I finally crossed over and bought a fake one an I am loving it!! I don't think i'll ever go back!

2. Favorite Christmas Cookie? I love a ice sugar cookie, but I also love PB Kiss cookies!

3. Home on Christmas morning or travel? A few year ago we decided that we would always be home on Christmas morning so that Santa could come to our house. We will travel to Charlotte before or after Christmas to see my family.

4. Clear or Colored Lights? Clear all the way!

5. Send Christmas Cards? Yes, yes, yes!! I love sending and receiving cards!

6. Favorite Christmas Present Received? I'm sure there is one but I can't think of it right now.

7. Favorite Christmas Present  Given? I gave Patrick Garth Brooks tickets a few years ago and he was so surprised. That was a fun present to give!

8. Stockings or no Stockings? Definitely Stockings!

9. Christmas PJ's? For my kids for sure!! I LOVE christmas jammies!!

10. Favorite Christmas Carol? I love so many but Joy To The World is probably my favorite!

11. Favorite Holiday Tradition? We have an annual cookie baking day with my inlaws and that's always been a favorite of mine. I am not sure we will do it this year without our sweet Donna but I hope to start it back up in the years to come!

12. Early Shopper or Last minute? I try so hard to be an early shopper but I always end up being a late one!

13. Favorite Christmas Movie or show? I love The Holiday, The Last Stone, The Santa Claus, all Hallmark Christmas Movies.

14. Favorite Holiday Beverage? Hot Chocolate

15. Cookies and Milk for Santa? Duh, do people seriously not do this??

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday ya'll! I can't believe its December 1st! Christmas is officially upon us and I know it's going to go so fast. I am really trying to slow down and enjoy the season. Our Elf came for a visit today and I can't wait to share with you our North Pole breakfast next week!

On to my favorites...

O N E | We kicked off the holiday season with our first Train of Lights ride last night. Our little town has the cutest mini train at our rec. It's open every Sunday from May-October and then it is transformed into a winter wonderland during the month of December. For $2 you get to ride the train and see the lights. It's such a fun tradition and one that I hope we continue for a long time!

T W O | This recipe...My friend Megan told me to make this soup and we had it last night. It is SO good! I had two bowls full..The perfect weeknight meal for a cold night, yum! I made mine in the crockpot and it worked just fine!

T H R E E | Did you miss my Gift Guide for Men that I posted on Wednesday? Check it out for some good ideas! Next week We are doing our final gift guide link up and doing gifts for the hostess and/or stocking stuffers!

F O U R | I picked up this sweater in army green at Target a few weeks back and it quickly became a favorite of mine. So much so that I ordered it in cream and it arrived yesterday! I can't wait to wear it all winter!

F I V E | Today starts day 1 of our Christmas Photo Challenge! I am linking up with Stephanie and several other of my blogger friends to host this! Just follow the prompts and post your photo on IG and use the hashtag #2017christmasmoments

S I X  | We have lots of fun Christmas things planned this weekend. Tonight we are meeting my FIL, BIL and nephew for dinner and then going to the botanical gardens for their lights show. It's always a fun night. Tomorrow we have our town parade, and then Jack and I are headed to a meet and greet with the Grinch (he is so excited about this!) and then we have a date night and the boys are spending the night with Grandaddy! A busy but fun weekend ahead!


I hope you all have a great Friday and a fun start to December!

Linking up with April, Andrea and Katie