A surprise date and my first try at picnik {unrelated}...

Last night I was able to surprise Greg with a date! We have not gone out (just the two of us) since before Mason was born.

Seriously. I know. Too too long.

This was just one surprise out of twelve. The idea is not new by any means. But, it's new to us! It's called {get ready!} "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Original I know.

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...."

{now it's stuck in your head huh?}

Each day {for 12 days} you give your spouse a little present leading up to Christmas Day.

It could be as small as his favorite candy bar left on the seat of his car.

Or a kind note listing your favorite qualities about him.

Or like last night, a surprise date!

A gal at my church started the idea by inviting a bunch of us ladies to join her via FB!

Thanks Susan! It's been such a good way to stretch my love for my husband. He's worth it.

:)

I started by taking him to his favorite place to eat....

B Dub's! Oh yeah.

...and then drove around without telling him what we were doing next...

Ice skating...

...with Santa no less!



This is just like the dates we had while dating in college. So many good memories then. It was so fun going back in time for a night and feeling like kids again!

***

In other news, I've officially used picnik for the first time!

And, I'm hooked.

It definitely takes some time but, worth the extra few minutes. And I LOVE that I can make a collage. It's just so hard to pick one ya know??
:)

Miss Kensie will be a flower girl for the first time in a couple weeks (first for my Mama and Terry), and then again next June (for Greg's brother--Elliot and Jessica). She will be wearing the above dress in both. It was found for $10 (can you believe it??) at a garage sale and has never been worn! Jessica's Mom bought it and has graciously given it to us! Kensie is absolutely in love with that dress, as am I...and asks to try it on all the time. I usually say no in order to minimize the risk of ruining that beautiful gown before said weddings. But, I wanted to see how much she has grown. It was way too long when she first wore it about 2 months ago...and now she can walk without stepping on it! Yay...no alterations!

Here's hoping she will actually walk down the aisle.

***

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays!

We have our first family party today...busy busy!

The attention span of a 2 year old...

...is kinda like a squirrel.

She started out singing her favorite Christmas songs and just like when a squirrel sees a nut, she quickly goes in a different direction. You'll see what I mean...

I'm probably the only one that understands every word. But, in case you missed it here's the order of events...

• Starts by making up a little diddy, "Baby Jesus, I luv youuuu!".
• If you listen carefully she then sings the "B-I-B-L-E".
• Trying to get back to the Christmas tunes she then sings, "Jingle Bells".
• Makes it through the first verse (twice) and decides to sing her "A,B,C's" (version from Super Why on PBS)
• Nope. "No mo songs" Mama.
• Decides to try "Jingle Bells" again.
• During her swivel dance move she gets distracted and plays peek-a-boo through the back of the chair with Mason. "I see you!"
• Realizes I'm recording and begs, "Kensie see da picture?".
• Forced to say says "Merry Christmas".
• Nears a meltdown cuz she still wants to "look da picture".
• I cut her off and say bye.
• THE END.

9 months

He's in the 95th percentile for height and weight.

He's wearing 18-24 month clothes.

{Surprise surprise}.

He's army crawling.

{Which I'm super excited for since I've been lugging around a 9 month old stuck in a 2 year old body. I'm ready to chase that boy! Crazy I know. But, my arms are TIRED and I'm ready for some change!}

He has 4 teeth (2 on top, 2 on bottom) going on 6.

{and slightly resembles a vampire when he laughs}

He babbles "dadadadadadadadada" any chance he gets.

He is now a blonde dutch boy.

He is ready to move past baby food and eat some real food!

{the boy can eat....clearly.}

He wants to be near Kensie all the time.

{Tugging at her. Playing with her toys. Climbing on her. Giggling with her.}



Side note: This is the best Wendy's kid meal toy EVER! Wind up train that goes in circles. Who needs Christmas gifts? She has been playing with it for 3 days straight!



***

We are blessed to have you Mason Gregory!

Christmas is in the house! {a tour}

Since we've been married (6 years ago), I've slowly acquired a fair share of holiday decor. And since we moved into our first home (3 years ago), I think I've put the Christmas tree in a different spot each year!

I like change.

Welcome to this year's Christmas home tour...

Come on inside...

I wanted the nativity to be the first thing I see when heading out or coming home. The entryway is a perfect spot to showcase the setting for Christ's birth.

Now close the door behind you and come inside! It's freezing!

Welcome to the "fireplace" room. It was once a sitting area but is now the dining room.

Greg and my stockings (sewn by my Mama).

I can't wait to have Christmas dinner next to a roaring fire!

And the spot for the tree this year??

**drummmmmrollllll please**

In between rooms! It's the absolute best spot to see the tree from literally every living space in the house! So happy with it this year. 

This is the first year I set up a fake tree. I scored this super nice "Bethlehem" tree after Christmas sales last year. Doesn't it look real?? Bonus: I can leave it up twice as long!

If you'd like to see last year's bush tree...go HERE.

Kensie and Mason's stockings hung on the new little frame I painted recently. I painted it green without thinking "Christmas" but I love how it transformed into a festive little wall hanging.

With sturdy hooks so we can stuff them stockings full. *wink*

And some cookie cutters hung over the sink. I love Christmas in little nooks like this.

The sweater covered jars made a reappearance.

And you already saw the bookshelf but I had to include it in the tour.

 Kensie loves to point out the teeny tiny people in the windows of each house. Everyday. And she quickly reminds me to turn the village lights on first thing in the morning.

Hope you are having yourself a merry little {decorated} Christmas at your house!

***



Best most awesome/exhausting trip ever!

Wow. Where do I even begin...

I {heart} Californ-EYE-A.

And even more, I {BIG puffy red heart} my family.

We spent 6 days completely surrounded by some of my most favorite people in the world doing my favorite things.

Thanksgiving...



Uncle Rick always showing some humor



Apple pies I made under the wings of my artistic Aunt Gwen



Relaxing and playing...

Story time with "Lolo" and Aunt Gwen

playing in the backyard

Disneyland...




Kensie and her three aunt's walking down Main St. for the first time.

 



First rocket ride with Daddy!
(She didn't cry but didn't look like she loved it either...this was her face before and after.)

 

Pluto!

Kensie has been talking about Mickey Mouse ever since...



My favorite shot of the castle...it was stunning.




Disneyland during Christmas time = Uh-mazing.



 

Celebrating my Grandpa Woody turning 90...



Four Generations (minus Kensie)



The community he lives in decorated his golf cart and made a parade in honor of turning 90.
He's a kind of a big deal. :)

Terry and my Mama. Such a happy couple.



 

Aunt Gwen goes all out for parties. Over 80 people came to celebrate! Most of them being family.



Yes, there are 90 candles.



All FIVE of us siblings together again!! This pic means SO much to me.
From left to right--Katelyn. Lauren. Ryan. Me. Gretchen.



  

Meeting lots of "new" relatives and making friends left and right.

Grandma Bebe and Grandpa Woody. They just never seem to age! Love them.

 




My dear Aunt Gwen who I look up to so incredibly much. She's my aunt, my friend and my mentor.



The title of this post says it all. Never has a vacation been more fun and yet more exhausting than this one. 

And after squeezing all four of us into the tiny room pictured above, I've never been more thankful to be home.