Dishing Divas December

This past weekend we decided to have a 'dip' theme for Dishing Divas so we all brought our favorite dips. We had a good combination of sweet and salty, it was perfect. We also decided to play games this month as well so we each brought some our favorite games, that was a BLAST!! We played Catch Phrase, Taboo, The Wrong Game and laughed until we cried.

Its so fun to just put your comfy clothes on and hang out with some of your best girlfriends and laugh the night away. I love these gals to pieces!!

Most of us girls... Jenna, Lindsey, Kela, me and Katie. We were missing our prego momma friend Chelsey because she was sick :(

Me, Jenna and Katie

Kela and I

Me and Linds (don't kill me for posting this pic sister :)~ )

Playing taboo, Kela and I were kicking some butt!

Katie and Jenna

Jenna and Lindsey

Show Us Your Life- Christmas Tree

Today over at Kelly's Korner is Show Us Your Life- Christmas Tree edition. This year I only have 2 trees up. Last year I had 3 but have yet to get the smaller one out of the shed, I'm not quite sure why?! This first tree is the one that I have in the kitchen. Its a 4 ft tree and matches my kitchen colors perfectly, LOVE it!

Since I took these pictures I've finally added a tree skirt, still keep forgetting to get a tree topper so I can quit using one of Addaline's hair clips, ha ha!

Here is our big tree that is in the family room in the basement. I don't really have much of a theme here. I tried to go with the red and silver theme, but we have a hodge podge of ornaments that I just adore so its kind of a mixed up tree. If you're noticing that the top of the tree is not lit up, you'd be correct. I cannot figure out why the top portion will not light up, and I haven't been able to get my husband to look at it either.

Loving the zebra ribbon on the tree this year. I would like to get a LOT more carried away will frilly tree decorations but I think I'll wait and see what I can find the day after Christmas on SALE!

One of the many ornaments on our tree hand made by Macie! This year I will add some hand made by Miss Addaline as well.

The topper is pretty simple but I LOVE it and have had it for about 8 years now. It just a plain glittery, silver star.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Some of My Favorite Things

Today I feel like sharing some of my current favorite things. Not that any of you care, but read on anyway ;)


Obviously this picture below is not me, but it shows what I have been doing a LOT lately. I love crafting! It is a wonderful outlet for me and gives me something to do.

I'm loving this purse but haven't been able to bring myself to buying it... maybe my husband will read this and think about getting it for me for Christmas... HINT HINT!

I have been living in my boots lately because they are so nice and warm, and comfy as well. They pretty much go with anything and look adorable with your jeans rolled slightly or with your jeans completely tucked into them.

I L.O.V.E looking at Christmas lights. NO this is not my house, I just found the picture and thought it was a good example, a LOT little overboard maybe. I especially love looking at lights with Addaline in the car. She is in such awe at the lights its the most adorable thing I've ever heard... everything is 'Mommy WOOK, Mommy WOOK, Mommy WOOK!'

I'm borderline obsessed with the new season of 90210. Every Tuesday night it's a MUST watch for me. Do any of you like it as much as I do??

I'm loving Bath and Body Works 'Midnight Pomegranate' scent right now. It smells SOOO good! If you haven't smelled it, I suggest you try it out!

I have loved Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie scent for a LONG time. It makes the house smell wonderful and like I've actually been baking when we all know I don't!

So do any of you like any of these products as much as I do??

The week is almost over! Tomorrow is FRIDAY, YAY! I have Dishing Diva's night tomorrow night and I'm super excited. I'll make sure to take lots of pics this time, I failed at that task last time! We have Macie's school Christmas program tonight, I'm SUPER excited for it and will make sure to take lots of pics of that as well!

Monkey Bizness

Last week before the holiday Gerrad and I decided to take off work on Wednesday to make it an extra long 5 day weekend. I thought it would be nice to take the girls to do something fun since we were off, we loaded up and headed for Kansas City around 10 am. My friend Sarah told me about a place in Kansas City called Monkey Bizness. Its a huge indoor place where the kids can run around, climb and jump on inflatables. There is also a spot for toddlers to play and climb on toys their size. The girls had a BLAST and could have easily stayed there all day. Thanks for the tip Sarah :)

We wandered around the mall for a while and then decided we weren't done having fun and we wanted to take the girls to see a movie (which was also in the mall). So we bought tickets to see Disney's "A Christmas Carol". Addaline was NOT having the movie thing since it was her nap time and she did not feel the need to sit still. Her and I decided to wander the mall for a while so Gerrad and Macie could stay and enjoy the movie, and the rest of the patrons, without a screaming toddler who wanted down! I don't know why I torture myself like that, ha ha!

Addaline climbing around on the toys, I love her little cheeks and her 1 dimple

I cannot figure out why this child squints one eye whenever she gets a huge cheesy smile?!

The girls headed in to Monkey Bizness

The matching sisters headed in for some fun!

You're never too old to climb up and slide down a huge slide are you? The girls loved it when Gerrad and I would get on things with them!

A kiss for a sweet daddy

I'm so glad we decided to take the day to spend as a family with the girls and take them to a place we've never been. Maybe we'll make it a tradition from now on to do that the week of Thanksgiving =)

Holiday Open House

So as I've mentioned a few times before, I've been SUPER busy getting ready for a Holiday Open House that I was asked to join. These past 2-3 weeks I've made hair bows EVERY DAY during nap time to try to have as many to sell as I can at the open house. I figured since those were something that could be purchased on the spot they would hopefully go over pretty well. I've been praying that this business really takes off for me, but at the same time I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I know there are a LOT of women/stores out that that have adorable bows for sale so I'm trying really hard to be competitive with my pricing. I guess all I can do is pray about it and hope all goes well.

Gerrad has been REALLY helpful with this whole process as well. He spent most his free time this weekend making things for me. He even came up with his own super creative idea of how to display the bows and hair clips... See for yourself!

He put fabric on wood and drilled holes for dowel rods to hang the bows from. He also punched holes in my business cards to put the bows on as well. So the bows are hanging on individual business cards with the price of the bow written on the back. He is so creative, what would I do without him?!

All the flower clips are hung up and ready to go!!

Smaller hair clips and ribbon wrapped clips as well

More small clips

He designed, hand made and painted this tutu holder for me as well. I wanted everything zebra print or pink and black to match my business cards, and because I LOVE that color scheme. I think this turned out fabulous! Thanks again babe!

He bought these for me at Hobby Lobby and painted them pink as well, to hold the hair bow displays. I can't wait to go to the open house event Saturday to set everything up and take pictures, YAY!!

If you think about it, or you're reading this, will you do me a favor and say a little prayer that this all goes well and is a big hit? Thanks friends (and family) :)

Thankful- Fri/Sat/Sun

So I didn't follow through with my promise of blogging every day to say what I am thankful for because we were so busy spending time with family and friends over the long weekend. I'll blog about our weekend later :)

I wanted to finish up with what I was Thankful for...

I'm so very thankful for my mom. She has become my very best friend over the years and I would be lost with out her. I can call her any time night or day and we can chat about anything and every thing. She is definitely my 'go-to' person when I'm upset (after my husband of course). She always listens to everything I have to say, and never judges to offers her opinion unless I ask. My children are SO lucky to have her as their Grandma, or 'Ba Ba' as Addaline likes to say. I have definitely been blessed with a beautiful mother with an even more beautiful heart! I love you mom!

I'm not leaving you out dad (or my in laws), don't worry! You're my next topic... I'm so very thankful for my dad as well. He too is always there when I need him. We have a very close relationship and I can definitely count on him for anything. He is always there cheering on my kids no matter what the occasion is (mostly Macie since she is the only one old enough to participate). They know they can count on their 'Pa Pa' for anything. He spoils them rotten and definitely loves them to pieces. Thank you dad, for everything you do and have done for us, I love you!

I'm also so very thankful for my mother and father in law! They are wonderful grandparents to our children, and definitely spoil them as well. There is nothing my kids can't get away with at their house (total opposite of our house, ha ha). They are always there willing to lend a helping hand, and have helped us through so much. With out my in laws and my dad, our old home renovations would have gone completely awry. They model what marriage should be like and I think Gerrad and I truly look up to them. Thanks Steve and Natalie for everything, I love you!

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and remembered all the things they are thankful for.

Thankful- Thursday and Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for this sweet 2 year old girl. As I mentioned previously, Gerrad and I miscarried a baby before Addaline and he said we could try just one more time... Thankfully God had a plan for our family and I got pregnant with another sweet baby girl.

Today I am thankful for this 8 lb 13 oz blessing. Now a sassy 2 year old who, all to often takes after her big sister. She always has such joy and amazement on her face every day. I know its her age, but she always points out the small things and has truly made me slow down and just appreciate being. She is her daddy's girl but has to have her 'mommy time' as well. She loves Elmo and Dora and constantly says 'Mommy wook (look)' each and every day at simple things she builds, does and sees.

I'm thankful each and every day to have two healthy, beautiful children who have blessed me more than I have ever deserved!


From the Hall family to you, we hope all of you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with your families, or even friends. Remember all the things you're thankful for, not just today, but each and every day!