2018 Christmas Card

I just love our Christmas card this year.  And now that they are (finally) out, I wanted to share!

2019 is sure to be a very Happy New Year in our house!!  I wish the same for you!

I'll catch up with y'all in January...

XLaura

Holly Jolly Happenings

 Last Friday was EB's First Christmas Program at school.  It was, to date, the most joyful parenting experience I've had.  I wish I could see her on stage every week!

Last Sunday we went to brunch at Rue de Jean after church.  EB did so good.  Eating out is usually not worth the risk with a toddler, but we've found that we stand our best chance with a booth.

Afterwards we walked around the holiday market at Marion Square.  Santa!

 Later, we scooted over to the Holiday Festival of Lights.  We arrived RIGHT as it opened and didn't hit any traffic.  Note: we went around James Island to Camp Road, Riverland was already really backed up.  EB rode the carousel and we took a family train ride.  K was VERY excited about it...(He's going to kill me for putting this pic up!)

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Speaking of K, yesterday we celebrated his 40TH Birthday!!

It was a low key family dinner.  I made one of his favorites, Chicken and Wild Rice, which was his grammy's recipe...

And a chocolate cake with lots of candles! 

 Today EB and I visited the beautiful train display at Charleston Place, and now we are heading to decorate gingerbread cookies!

 I hope you are soaking in the season!

Our Holiday Home 2018

I'm a creature of habit when it comes to Christmas decorations.  For a glimpse of what the holidays look like around our house, check out decorations from 2016 and 2017...I've also added a few new things, which I'll share this year. Ho-Ho-Hope you enjoy!

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These wooden reindeer are a yardsale find.  Let's take bets on how many times EB knocks them over this year!

Poinsettia plate!  The sunflowers were a birthday gift from a girlfriend.

 Front porch lights.  I still also put up wreaths on the windows (seen in previous years)
This new cabinet/chest came from my parents and I'm still figuring out how to style it.

 On the door heading into K's office: 

I got this little golden mistletoe knick knack 75% off a Target last year.  

Christmas cards are up next!

1 week countdown is ON!

Merry Christmas!

xLaura

Life Lately

Lots going on around here since Thanksgiving, Let's catch up!  I think I mentioned I came down with a pretty nasty cold , which really lingered around for a while.  Luckily I was feeling better by the next weekend, in time to celebrate my 33rd Birthday!  It was very low key this year.  K and I had dinner at Mellow while EB had an overnight with my parents.  I also grabbed dessert at the new Avondale Kaminsky's with friends:

The weather was so nasty but we still were able to pick out a tree under the tent.  I will share Holiday decorations soon!

 EB and I have done great with Holiday shopping this year...just a few more things on the list.  Here she is taking a snack break in the Target food court.  Did y'all know they give kids a free piece of fruit?

Last week I had "Cookies with Mom" at EB's school, it was so cute!

 This past Saturday I attended a Cookie Swap at my girls house.  Confession, I don't love to bake.  Maybe with more time and less distractions, but overall I much prefer cooking.  Anyway, these are cookies I made with a brownie mix and mint chips.  I give them a B-

And bringing it around to today...we saw Santa!  EB's sweet lil beret did not last long, but the picture still turned out precious!

The prettiest sight to see...

Okiedokie friends!  I hope to share our Holiday Home and Christmas cards soon!

Have a great week!

xLaura

Thanksgiving 2018

Another Thanksgiving come and gone, with little photographic evidence to show for it!

We had a delicious dinner at our home.  K smoked the turkey, his annual tradition, and everyone brought an appetizer or side which resulted in quite the feast!

Here is my tablescape.  I cut down a few branches from a nearby tree with some great fall leaves and combined it with a few consumer bunches from the grocery store for the centerpiece.

We set up a long table in the living room to accommodate the 14 adults eating, which promptly collapsed on my cousin's boyfriend as he sat down to eat.  He was such a great sport and laughed it off.  It was a near Turkey-tastrophe!

I made green bean casserole (this is before I topped with crispy onions and baked), pumpkin crisp, and the macaroni and cheese was purchased from Dukes BBQ.

On Friday, EB and I met up with my mom for some black friday shopping and lunch.  

The rest of the weekend was a bummer because I was sick in bed.  I'm so thankful to be feeling better now!

How was your Thanksgiving?

EB's School Feast

These first few weeks of November have certainly flown by.  We have been busy prepping for a full house on Thanksgiving, and gearing up for the flurry of the Christmas season.  I will be trying to stay up to date over here with all of our holiday happenings...so before I forget, here are a couple of pics from EB's school feast!

  

 

 It was too cute!

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And just for fun, I had a ball making a pretend Santa list this past weekend, trying on anniversary bands that I'd love to (some day) add to my wedding set.  This one was my favorite:

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I hope y'all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

See you next week with pics from our celebration.

Friday Highfive

This week has been super gloomy and grey around here, but it's Friday and it looks like the sun may be peaking out.  Here's a highfive!

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{1}

I pulled my neck out this past weekend and so there was a lot of couch time.  I don't mind so much when I'm cuddled up with my girl:

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{2}

Voting Mood.  We actually did not have a long wait but it was still not a toddlers idea of a good time.

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{3} 

We had a little adventure out to Toogoodoo Christmas Tree Farm this week for some holiday photos.  The pictures turned out cute but honestly I was not impressed with the U-cut trees at all.  We will probably be getting ours from Hyams.

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{4}

Speaking of Christmas, this cute little tent is on EB's list:  

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{5}

Thanksgiving is coming quick, 2 weeks yesterday!

Sheesh! 

So thankful for this pumpkin.

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Have a great weekend!

xLaura

Halloween 2018

We had such a fun-filled Halloween, I hope yours was safe and happy as well.

EB was so excited for her school parade and party...she went as a ladybug.  I snuck her wings on when she was preoccupied and would you believe she wore them the entire morning!?

 I brought the class chicken nuggets. The 30 county nugget is the perfect party size and you don't have to place an order or anything,,,drive thru for the win!

 *FAMILY COSTUME REVEAL*

Welcome to Jurassic Park!

 

Dinosaur on the loose!  I was SHOCKED at how well EB seemed to "get" trick or treating.  Granted, we only went to a few houses, but after the first she was well aware of the candy concept.  These are the best parenting moments, for sure.

Per usual, I couldn't leave Alfie out of the fun.

Introducing Sherlock Bones.

Trick or Treat? He's on the case.

xLaura

Friday Highfive

I hope y'all had a great week,

Here is a highfive for making it to Friday!

{1}

I couldn't help myself when I saw Zullily's One Day Family PJ Sale.  K draws the line with matching pajamas, but EB and I are going to have so much fun twinning this December.  Now, to find a teeny tiny version for her baby doll.

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{2}

I have seen similar earrings to these in boutiques for much higher prices.  I love supporting local businesses, but ONLY for unique and "local" finds.  Wal-mart's new Time and Tru brand has some cute, cheap stuff...I bought these.

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{3}

I inherited my grandparents' coffee table this week and I love love love it in our Living Room.  It's hard to see in this photo but it holds shells and gemstones collected throughout the years.

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{4}

This may not be the most appetizing picture, but it's a darn good healthy meal!

I've talked about salmon croquettes on here before, and this "recipe" resulted in not having an egg on planned salmon night.  So I simply sauteed the salmon and put it over this quinoa and kale blend and topped with sriracha. K said he prefers this to my salmon cakes. Well, Hot diggity, a happy accident!

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{5}

It's going to be a super dreary day/night here in Charleston and I can't think of a better plan...

We are going to order a pizza + rent "A Quiet Place"

This is my idea of a perfect October Friday night! 

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Hope y'all have a great weekend!

xLaura

Our Weekend

We had a nice and quiet weekend, much needed after a busy few weeks.

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Takeout on Friday- per usual.

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On Saturday I took EB and Alf down the street to Trunk or Treat.  They were so cute as a little mermaid and baby shark.

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On Sunday we went to church and had my parents over for dinner.  We had a bonfire to celebrate the Fall weather's arrival!

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Yesterday I took EB to Summerville's Scarecrow on the Square.  This is one of my favorite Halloween activities:

Would you just look at her lil outfit?!

Lots of Fall fun happening around here!

xLaura