Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Just wanted to pop in real quick and wish you all a fun/filled day with friends and family {even though it's late afternoon now... a little late, I know}.

For the most part we have had a quiet Christmas day. We had a nice turkey dinner with green beans, corn and stuffing. For dessert I made my 'famous' mud pie which consists of reduced fat oreo cookies {crushes}, light cool whip and fat-free/sugar-free vanilla pudding {I usually make it with chocolate pudding but I ran out, oops!}.

Josh and I must still be kids at heart because we were up earlier then Jayden was and when we were up, we couldn't wait any longer so I went in and woke him up myself to tell him 'SANTA CAME!'.

He got lots of toys and had lots of fun. Josh got me a laptop which I was super excited about. I am not happily posting from the couch in the living room all the while watching Forest Gump while Jayden and Josh are on the floor playing with one of Jaydens new train sets. With the laptop he also got me new Adobe lightroom, some workout/weight gloves for the gym a new fleece to wear to the gym, a large set of colored pencils and a set of drawing pencils and supplies and lastly a laptop bag :0)

All in all it was a good day, but im happy that it's really just been the 3 of us hanging out. It's been calm, relaxing and fun.

Hope you all had/have a fantastic holiday!

Fuzzy ball Christmas tree

We made some ornaments. Im so excited about this because Jayden is at that age now where he can start to make his own little creations with the supplies we have and glue. We tried it when he was 2 and he was more interested in the glue then anything else but now.... now he is all about making his own little creations and it just makes me squeal with delight inside.

Lots of glitter!!

Glitter, paint and glue!

And those fuzzy ball things. I don't know the technical term for them other then fuzzy balls.

He made a fuzzy ball christmas tree out of Popsicle sticks and glitter sticks.

We also made one of those glass ball ornaments with the hand print that I have seen going around the internet pinterest.

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On another note can I just say I had the most amazing shower this morning!? No im not about to get all dirty minded with you all, but I had bought this exfoliater scrub back this past Summer. It's a Hawaiian coconut scent and I have only used it once. Since ive been working out I decided to use some of it again and wow, my legs feel amazing. I can't remember the brand of it off the top of my head but I got it at Target, if that helps :-P

In other news it seems like December is dragging. I don't know what it is but this year im just not feeling christmas as much as I did last year. Don't get me wrong, im excited and all and really excited for Jayden that 'Santa' is coming... but I just don't have that warm little fuzzy feeling in my gut that I normally get around this time of year. I think it might be because last year it was Christmas overload. We not only had my sister and her boys come {which turned into a trainwreck} but also my Dad came and I was so happy to have them down here but I think the chaos with all the boys and the drama between me and my sister... this year im just like UGH... sigh, relief, lets just do a low-key Christmas. 

We are not having anyone over and im totally content with that and after cooking two Thanksgiving meals, im done with cooking a big meal for... oh another year lol! 

 

Feelin a bit beachy about Christmas

Hi.

It's been a little bit. But such is life. Right? I am however happy to report two things. 1 being I am about 95% done with my Christmas shopping and even better? - All of my presents/gifts are wrapped and tagged. and 2. Even with the holiday season upon us I have managed to really crack down and get back into shape.

We had two Thanksgiving dinners and it was awesome. Food was great, family was here. It was fun. However that Sunday after thanksgiving I felt like I had gained 20lbs, felt extremely bloated and just blah. The gym was calling my name. I hate feeling blah.

For the past two weeks I have worked out everyday for at least an hour or more, with cardio and strength training. I have also been eating super healthy and I am loving it. Ive lost 3lbs so far {although weigh in is tomorrow, but so far 3lbs since last weigh in}.

This Christmas we are keeping it low key. Because we had TWO Thanksgiving dinners, I just don't feel like eating a big heavy meal and Josh agreed. Instead we are going to cook some steaks on the grill, roast some veggies and maybe have a glass of wine after Jayden goes to bed, just the two of us.

Living in Florida we can still grill out and eat out on the patio {w00t}.

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Last weekend we went to the beach to get some shells. 

I love the beach this time of year.

It's calm and extremely peaceful.

No tourists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Except a few seagulls...

Some washed up Jellys

Seashells and sand dollars.

Smiles.

Tranquility.

We walked in search of different shells.

I found a really large one sticking halfway out of the sand, closer to the water. I didn't want to get wet so I had to calculate my timing right to run and grab the shell before the next wave came up. 

Then as we were walking back a wave came up and soaked Josh's leg {hehe}. We drove home with wet socks hanging out of the window {cute}.

Now as for the shells, plan to make some sort of ornament with them.

One of our traditions is to go to the beach a couple weeks before Christmas to get shells. Love it! 

Im also going to make something with the remaining shells and handfuls of beach sand I grabbed and sent it to my Grandma up in Massachusetts. She used to live in Florida and then moved to the Bahamas and lived there for 5yrs, then lived in St Croix for about 6yrs and then back to Florida before moving back up North {so my Dad could help take care of her}. I thought the shells and beach sand would put a smile on her face. She loves the beach and tropical weather. 

Can you imagine {living} in St Croix!?

OH and I saw Santa the other day walking around. He was wearing flower print board shorts, sandals and a T-Shirt that had part of a Santa suit on it. He was going into Bealls outlet lol.

Christmas Re-Cap 5

Your probly wondering where Re-Cap 2, 3 and 4 went. Well... it's being skipped over. I know it might sound confusing, however, just like any other Blogger, I love blogging. I mean after-all a Blog is a place where you can come and talk about anything and everything right? Well even though that holds true [technically], there are still somethings I do not like to be public and to only be within a few close people.

I bet im really confusing you now right? Well let's just say some Family drama's happened over the course of the past few days and my sister and kids left the house early. I don't want to get into specifics other than to say that I am completely appalled by the things she said to us last night and it will take a long time for her to gain my forgiveness [if she ever even want's that].

So without further ado, I am skipping to Re-Cap 5, which is the end of the Christmas re-caps and will lift my spirits [and maybe as well as yours] because they are photos that involve animals and who doesn't like some fuzzy-wuzzy animals!?

Our local Zoo is fairly small in comparison to most Zoo's [or Zoo's that I remember from when I was a kid]. We decided to head out for a fun filled short day [since it's small and all] at the Zoo.

They had a few exotic birds there in the large cages. They were beautiful. These little guys were very polite in the sense they kept saying 'Hello!'. Well... Hello, hello Mr. Birdy! :)

It took a little convincing on my part but Jayden was really starting to enjoy feeding the small 'barn' animals some feed, right out of his hand.

He giggled and laughed as the goats nibbled their way through the small pellets he had in his hand.

This was the Mama. She was in her enclosure with her Husband and their little baby who was just adorable. I tried snapping a good pic. of him but he was just all over the place. [Hmmm sounds like someone I know ;) ]

Hmmm... I wonder what's up there??

Why it's a little hooty Owl! Of course he was trying to get some shuteye but with all the kids yelling 'Whoooo, whoooo whoooo!'... I'm not sure how he managed.

The Zebras are always my Fav. :)

Lastly was this mighty Gorilla. He seemed a little curious as the small train we were on passed by. Isn't he gorgeous!

So there you have it. Short and sweet. A fun trip to the Zoo with the kids to complete our Christmas 'extravaganza'.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and have a great New Years!

Christmas Re-Cap 1

Well the Holidays are finally winding down and let me tell you... I am completely pooped. My sister flew in on the 16th with the kids and it has been non-stop since then. I have been off work for 2 weeks and wow... it sure feels weird to be back.

Christmas was great and we had lots of fun. My Dad and stepmom flew in right before Christmas and almost got stranded an extra few days because of the massive snow storm that slammed New England [that's where they live]. My sister leaves early Monday morning with the kids and back to Washington she goes and for us... that means getting back into our routine again.

For now let's do a re-cap. The first full day my sister was here we decided to get some photos done of the kids. Seeing as how we don't have any photos of them together and we also wanted to get a few good snaps of the three of them together because one of the gifts for my Dad and stepmom was a frame with one of the photos. The frame we used was a nice ceramic/glass style frame and had the word 'Grandkids' at the top. It was cute :)

After our mini photo session, I realized why Photographers charge so much for photos. Trying to get these 3 to smile all at the same time, while ALL looking at the camera was a major project all in it's own. It basically involved me saying 'Cheese' over and over until I was blue in the face, while my sister hopped up and down, clapping all the while trying to say things to make them laugh. [Mind you she was in her PJ's while doing it]. Im sure the neighbors were wondering what was going on in our yard.

At first Jayden didn't want to have anything to do with photos. He just wanted to go play near the shed and when we finally got him to come over and join the other two, it took him awhile to warm up to the idea of 'posing' for the camera with two other kids [his cousins] who were still 'new' to him.

Doesn't he just look like a Doll!!?? That's little Gavy. He's a little peanut... or Jayden is just big. Im not sure... either way he is only 3months younger than Jayden and in the very first pic you can see how much smaller he is :)

See how much smaller he is! -Or how much bigger Jayden is! These two have been nothing but little 'Partners in Crime'. They are surely smarter then they want us to think they are!

All in all it was a good day, and although it took a little 'acting' on our part to finally get the smiles going, we got the photos we needed which in the end made for even bigger smiles for 'Grampy' and 'Grammy' :)

Merry Christmas [Eve]

As you can see I have been on 'Hiatus'. My family is here and they have kept me on my toes to say the least [the kids anyways!].

I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and that I will be back with tons of photos within the next week after everything settles down and we get back into our routine again! :)

Mission Complete... and a House Tour

So the house is officially clean. Can I get a really big 'WOOP-WOOP'!?

Seriously... Every. Single. Room. Is. Clean.

You might have to go back and re-read that sentence because it's a shock. I don't think there has ever been a time, no matter where we have lived in the past, that every single room in the house was clean at the same time. I know in a way that sounds kind of 'sad', but the norm' for us is keep the main living areas in as tip top of shape as we can [Kitchen, Living, Bathroom] and try and keep up with the rest. Of course the 3rd bedroom/Craft room usually ends up being the dumping ground for everything that I just can't be 'bothered' with. Jayden's room... well you can imagine what a 2.5yr. olds' bedroom looks like... The Master? Well I have a confession. I am not proud of this but I have to say it. -I hate all things laundry. What does that mean? It basically means that if I take it off the hanger and decide later I don't want to wear it, it goes on the chair or on top of the dresser... almost always never ends up back on the hanger. Sad... I know but I just hate the feeling of cloths between my fingers, especially this time of year when my hands are nothing but 200 grit sand paper. Ick!

Anyways, with 5hrs before I leave to pick up my sister and nephews from the airport, I figured I would give you the final 'Holiday' home tour... and I guess we could constitute this as an official home tour also since I have never really done an actual home tour... just random pictures within posts.

Master Bedroom

Entry to Master

Looking towards other side of bedroom, towards Master Bath.

Other side, looking back towards main door and My closet [on left] and Josh's closet [on right]. -Note: the Master is still 'in the works' [bedding, accessories, pictures...etc].

Master Bath

I think this was the selling point for me. I'm a sucker for French Doors.

I love this tub. But the french doors were still the 'selling point'. 

The large walk-in shower. We don't use this shower all that much because Josh has to re-do the piping under this section of the house. The water pressure in that shower sucks big time... which sucks even more because it's a nice shower. This will be a project once it starts to warm up in the spring.

Hallway

You saw this in the previous post :)

3rd bedroom/Craft room

Right now it is ready for my sister and the kids. That big blob you see is the air mattress. Yeppers. We don't have any sort of 'guest bedroom' furniture and we more than likely won't get any either because we don't get guests all that often, so the air mattress, as ghetto as it is, does just fine for the time being.

Jayden's room

This was taken before he ran in there behind me and threw his toys all over the floor. 

I decided to use the space between the two closets to showcase all his artwork :)

Guest Bathroom

My snowflakes to give the bathroom a little festive 'flair'. You can see my little wreath hanging in the reflection of the mirror, above the toilet :)

Here is that dead space I had mentioned in this post. I took my large green vase, added some branches from outside and hung some of my sparkly snowflakes from them.

Entryway

This was another selling point for us. An entry way! And of course... more french doors. All of the hardwoods are original also.

Office

Technically this space could also be 'labeled' as a 4th bedroom because it has a closet.

But it's so much cooler as an office.

Living room

Looking into the kitchen.

Kitchen

Dining room

 

And there you have the complete tour of our home and ready for the holidays. Overall I am pleased with our home but there are still projects in the works for the future. Like the bathroom reno. Changing out the pipes under our master bath [we have a crawl space under the house], turning the closet in the office into more of a 'built in' book shelf. Adding shelves to the wall space above the large wall table in the 3rd bedroom/craft room and of course finishing the odds and ends in the Master bedroom [that bedding you saw was NOT the bedding we picked out. That is still our original ol' bedding we have had for about 2yrs]. -Oh and finishing the whole carport into garage transformation and turning the outside patio into a sun room [that should be fun...... . . . .].

So with that said, my 'to-do' list is complete and I have 5hrs to spare. Not to shabby! 

How about you? is your house finished for the Holidays?