All Things Merry and Bright (December Recap + Tons of Pictures)

 

 

Merry Christmas Eve. Today, we are celebrating Christmas with my family and tomorrow we will celebrate with John's family. I wish you all a beautiful holiday with family and friends.

 

 

 

Before I take a break to enjoy my loved ones, I wanted to get one more post in so please excuse this  hodge podge and long picture post.

 

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we had pictures taken for our Christmas card by one of my brother in-laws friends, Christin of Christin Roberts Photography. This was the first time that we have had family pictures taken since having Emery (and before). My husband hates taking pictures, but was a good sport this day. And, he is becoming quite photogenic thanks to all the pictures that I insist on taking.

 

Photos with a baby definitely add a new dimension to things....we needed an additional person trying to get her to smile. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

Here is our Christmas card with two of the pictures that were taken that day. I found the card first and then chose pictures that I thought would work. Is that a backwards way of doing things?

 

Also, sorry for all those who didn't get a card this year. I major underestimated the number that I needed. Next year, I will x2 the number that I think I need.

 

Merry Christmas from the K Family!

Last Friday, we visited my sister at her school on our way to Charlotte and out came Elf P skipping from across the parking lot. I couldn't stop laughing and Emery loved it. I didn't even need to make her smile. This is what I automatically got. You know her kids love her....

 

Full outfit....No makeup...woof (Home Alone reference for ya)!

During the day on Saturday, we finished up some shopping and ran into this Santa while out. Emery wasn't scared at all, but was overly interested in the beard. She pulled it off twice. Sorry kids, I know that may have been traumatizing to see Santa with a beard on top of the fact that it was a lady.

 

 

On Saturday night, we headed to our friend Jason's house for a his 6th Annual Christmas party. It is a dress however you want party. Think Santacon or Ugly Sweater parties. This is the only picture from the night that I can post. However, the costume winner would have to be the host and hostess of the party who dressed as the lamp and Ralphie in the pink bunny costume from A Christmas Story.

 

 

I have already talked about jammies on babies being one of my favorite things. So this year, I bought 3 Christmas pairs (Reindeer - Mudpie, Candy Cane Stripes - Baby Gap, Snowflakes - Target)  for Emery. She is all decked out and ready for Santa. Here is Emery in her Christmas jammies.

 

 

 

I am linking up with these ladies for the holly jolly pajamas party.

 

 

And lastly, a little Christmas jammies treat. This just makes me smile. Look out for our 2014 Christmas card on YouTube! I can't help but to sing "in our (or her) Christmas jammies" as I get Emery ready for bed at night.

Goodbye Tulsa

So, I have been totally MIA and have missed weeks of blogging. Boo. Moving is some serious stuff people, especially during the holidays.  

After weeks of going away dinners, lunches and parties, we have officially said our goodbyes to Tulsa, Oklahoma and are now "homeless" in the Carolinas. We have been splitting our time between North Carolina (where John is from) and South Carolina (where I am from). On our flight to the east coast, we both commented on how it was weird that we didn't have a return flight. It's not often that you take a one-way flight.

We move into our temporary housing (4 months) in Atlanta on Thursday so we can begin the house hunting process. Yes, the day after Christmas. Poor planning from the hubs.

Below are the only two pictures that I snapped from move out day - 1. Emery's last picture in her first nursery and 2. Our empty living room.

 

 

While we were sad to leave all of our friends, we look forward to our life in Atlanta and can't wait to get settled in.

Tomorrow, I will actually acknowledge Christmas (even though it is 70 degrees here - not complaining) and share Emery's Christmas jammies and our Christmas card.

 

 

Snow Day + Good Eats

It snowed here in Tulsa!

Snow is so much more exciting when you don't have to worry about driving anywhere. And, a snow day in December? It doesn't get much better than that to get you in the Christmas spirit. They are the best days for snuggling in front of a fire, watching Christmas movies and cooking some of your favorite winter time treats. Here is how I spent my snow day:

Cooking Chili - I made it ahead of time so that all the flavors could meld together for the perfect warm me up lunch. I will post the recipe later.



 

Watching Elf with the mini

 

 

The Neighborhood

 

 

Making Snow Ice Cream the way that my great grandmother did and mom still does.

Recipe:
2 cans of evaporated milk
1.5-2 cups of sugar (make sure it is almost too sweet because the snow will melt into it)
1 tablespoon of vanilla
*For kids, you can use some food coloring. My mom always made it pink for us girls.

I also made a batch using condensed milk. I think my great grandmother's and mom's way is better and so does John. And, he is the sweets expert.

Getting bundled up for the snow

A quick family picture made possible thanks to a kitchen stool and a DSLR camera. Who needs someone to take the picture when your hubby can practice his sprints to get in it? As you can see, Emery was too caught up in the motion of her daddy (and trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue).

Acorn Squash for dinner courtesy of the hubs.

How to cook: Cut squash in half and scrap out the insides. Add a little butter, sugar and cinnamon to each half. Add a little water to your glass baking dish and place the halves face up. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

I know this is a light dinner for most and normally us too. But, if you knew the amount of snow ice cream that we ate throughout the day, then you would understand why it was all that we needed.

While I do love a good snow day (and boy did we have one), I prefer to keep them to about two a year. Other than that, I am a sunshine girl. I love 70 degree winter days. Short sleeves on Christmas, yes please! 

What's on my Christmas list?

If you are like me, you keep a constant wish list of items that you want in your head year-round. But as soon as it is Christmas (or your birthday), you can't come up with a single thing. This is me, ALWAYS. 

So this year, I have been adding to this list for the last couple of months (since I started my blog). Here are some items that on my Christmas wish list (in addition to the stocking stuffers). 

The Dreaming Big Wishes

Tory Burch Suede Reva Ballet Flat



Hunter Rain Boots in colorblock or black via

A Classic Brown Bag via

The Perfect Size Wishes

Pretty PJ Set in Fields to Wanderfall or Shortie Set in Sweet Love and Yonderflies

 

Kate Spade 2014 Agenda
 

A bracelet to stack with these - maybe a spiked bracelet?

 Gold Stud Earrings (any kind)
 

Zara Checked Soft Scarf (See cute styling via)



 

What's on your list this year?

These are a few of my favorite things: stocking stuffers

Today, I am joining the "These are a few of my Favorite Things" linkup with Cheers Y'all and Down with the Dearmores.

Here are a few of my favorite things for the mr, the mini and myself:

The Mrs.

one // anthropologie limited edition gold monogram mug // I am seriously loving gold as you can tell based on my stocking stuffers list. My love for gold is nothing new, but this mug in gold is and oh how I do love it.

two // forever21 tassel necklace // I know these have been in for awhile and to be completely honest I wasn't really into them at first. However, I have changed my tune.

three // essie nail polish in miss fancy pants // Gray on nails in the winter is a must.

four // kate spade iPhone cover // I got my first iPhone almost a year ago now (behind most 7 years) and a cute cover for it would really pretty it up.

five // kate spade stationery // I am a sucker for cute stationery (well, all cute paper products - notebooks, agendas, etc) and add the monogram and this set is amazing.

The Mini

one // halo sleepsack // I love Miss E in jammies and she will definitely be getting a pair or two for Christmas.

two // noodle & boo shampoo // I have already confessed my love for noodle & boo products and their smell. But, this smell reminds me of E as a newborn. Maybe this is more for me....

three // bath toys // E has recently started taking baths in the big girl tub and love to splash and grab onto anything she can get her hands on. So some baby bath toys are a must.

four // owl knit cap // With the weather getting cooler and cooler, E needs another cute knit hat.

five // the night before christmas book // E loves book and this one will be a nice addition to her collection (a day late).

The Mr. 

one // west elm copper mug

two // thunder gear // Disclaimer: He wouldn't like the shirt shown. I just couldn't find another example. He really wants a sweatshirt because he has a ton of Thunder t-shirts.

three // Bb seaweed  

four // starbucks gift card

five // under armour socks


What are some of your best stocking stuffer ideas for your significant other? I would love to hear them!

Weekend Recap {Brantley & Stanton's Wedding}

This past weekend we headed to my hometown, Greenville, SC, for the wedding of Brantley and Stanton. John has known Stanton since their college days at Western Carolina. Stanton was an usher in our wedding and we were thrilled to be a part of his wedding weekend.

The rehearsal dinner was hosted at Brick Street Café on Friday night. We found out later from my sister that they are known for their desserts after raving to her about the sweet potato grooms cake. They also had a chocolate cake which I loved because it tasted like a brownie (my fave).

 

 

Attempt at Oxford dictionary's newest word "selfie"

 

 

 

The next night was the wedding at the lovely, Ryan Nicholas Inn. The ceremony was held in the Inn and the reception in the Crystal Pavilion. The Inn was fully decorated for Christmas and the coordinator said that it was their first Christmas wedding.

 

 



Lacy blogs over at www.runninglimitless.com. Be sure to follow her!

 

 

On Sunday, we went to brunch at Rick Erwin's Nantucket in downtown Greenville with the newlyweds. After two nights sans Emery, we brought her along because everyone wanted to meet her. She was definitely an attention getter. I joked with Stanton that he thought he was going to be the center of attention. He joked back that he is done with that.

There were approximately 20 people in attendance and it was nice to get a little more time with them before they left for their honeymoon this morning.

via

It was so fun to see John's college buddies, some of whom I haven't seen since we lived in Charlotte and a few that I hadn't met before. The wives were pretty great too. This past weekend made me even more excited to move to Atlanta. It will give us an opportunity to reconnect with so many friends.