The Tradition Continues

Each year, Grandma Stella gets the kiddos matching Christmas pj's. It never gets old seeing them in matching clothes: So cute!

2009:


2010:

2011:

Christmas Table

We finished up some last minute things around the house today. Really, it was such a low key day. Perfect to just be with each other and get into the Christmas spirit. The twinkle stars that the twins made were dry and hung on some branches for our centerpiece for our big Christmas dinner tomorrow.





I am not sure if the kiddos will ever settle down to sleep tonight...they are giddy with excitement!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy tomorrow:)

Crazy Christmas Lights

Last night, we went to see the crazy Christmas lights we see each year. There were sooooo many people there, it was nuts! They even had someone directing traffic!

My Latest Project

My parents bought us some furniture for Christmas this year. I love the dining room set but I knew I wanted to change it just a bit. Well, the kiddos have been at my parents for a couple days and I had a ton of things to do (finish up Christmas shopping, stocking stuffers, Christmas menus, laundry, etc). In the back of my head, I thought I wanted to try and reupholster those chairs.



My Christmas shopping brought me to IKEA with two friends, I am decided to look at the fabric. The price was right and I knew I wanted to try.


I think my husband was apprehensive watching me unscrew the seat, cut the fabric and begin stapling. But once he saw the first chair, he even joined in;)



Now we have pretty(er) chairs. I still can't believe we managed to finish it before Christmas!



So here is what I needed for 6 chairs:

1. 3 yards of fabric.....that was plenty of fabric. I have some leftover and was thinking about making a table runner.
2. stable gun
3. staples
4. scissors
5. screws
6. screwdriver

Now my chairs were older, so once I unscrewed the screw removing the seat, I realized that I needed new screws in new spots. This is where my husband came in. He was in charge of attaching the seat once it was covered.

I think the project took about 2 hours. And....now I am the owner of a staple gun.....what's next!!?!?!?!?!?

Light Up UCF

We did our second annual trip to Light Up UCF the other night.

James had his sights set on the train!! (Of course)






We took a nice ride on the ferris wheel! What a view;)





And the twins were all about the ice slide and ice skating.









Here is a little video of James on the train...not sure what he is saying but he makes me laugh;)

Pinterest Body Scrub

I was on Pinterest and I found this recipe for homemade body scrub. I knew I wanted to make some for our Christmas dinner guests and for the twins teachers.


The above picture is from this website and I basically used the same recipe she did.

For the white:
3 cups raw sugar
1 cup almond oil
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
I added 1/4 tsp of vitamin E drops

For the brown:
3 cups light brown sugar
1 cup almond oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp of vitamin E drops

Stella and I did this together and it was super easy. Our finished product:

Stella and I have been using the leftover in the shower and it is soooo nice;) I love the peppermint the best.

Snow!

Every year we have a handful of traditions we do as a family. Tonight we went to see SNOW!


Stella and Thomas love it!! They both made snow angels;)


James....well, he didn't love it at first. Once he warmed up to the idea, he played for a bit.


Such a pretty night. We had dinner and even rode a train (to James' delight!!!).

Friday Night

We have Christmas music playing, only the lights from the tree on and I am able to browse Pinterest for my Christmas menu. I love soaking in the Christmas season!!!

Here are the appetizers:


(Source)


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Have I mentioned how addicting Pinterest is??

Christmas Card Display

Thanks again to Pinterest, I saw this cute way to display Christmas cards (from Martha Stewart!!).

My inspiration:


Tony and Thomas went out and found some branches for me.



Bring on the Christmas cards!

And The Crafting Continues...

Tonight we are making twinkle stars. The above picture is from The Muffin Tin Mom and the step by step is found here. Soooo easy peasy.

I collected paper toilet rolls and paper towel rolls from friends and co workers and now the twins are hard at work gluing them together.

So much fun!



I'll post some pictures when they are finished;)

Enjoy the Season

This weekend every year is a busy one for us. We have birthday parties to attend, last minute shopping for parties at work and school, Secret Santa and oh yeah, regular life.

But this year, this season is so much sweeter....just as busy but so sweet. The news of a baby has graced our lives. Not directly in our family, but close enough. The kiddos call her Aunt Lynn and she has wanted a baby for years. Just when she thought the door was closed, it suddenly opens and there is a baby. The kids are overjoyed!!

I try to remember to stop and enjoy this. Enjoy this hustle and bustle. Enjoy the craziness.

Enjoy the season.

Here are some pictures from our weekend of birthday parties!


Look Ma, real soda!

Pinterest Projects

I have always had the urge to be crafty but most projects I came across seemed above my ability level.

Enter Pinterest.

Oh how I love thee. I love finding project that make me say....I really can do that! Here are some of my most recent.


I loved this repurposed globe. There are so many cute repurposing ideas here. Tony picked up a small champagne glass and we painted it black. He cut an old broken globe in half and viola! I need to fill with pine cones.



I am soooo looking forward to Christmas dinner at my house this year. I have multiple Christmas projects. I saw this and knew they would be our place card holders.


Mine drying....just add ribbon.

More on my super crafty skills to come....

Sweet

Tony/Stella 2007


Tony/James 2011