Last Night

We decorated our tree last night.

Our first fake tree since Jeffry and I have been married (8 years).

Growing up, we always had a fake tree. My dad has bad allergies and couldn't stand to have a live tree indoors.

So when Jeffry and I got married, I was so excited for our first Christmas together.

Excited for my first real, live evergreen.

We always bought the tallest one possible to fit our high ceilings.

You know, the ones that come from North Carolina? Blue Spruce perfection.

But after years of the real deal in our bigger house, Jeffry's allergies just can't take the living evergreen scent anymore in our little farmhouse.

So I caved for my husband's sake and bought a fake tree. Because as much as I love Christmas and my live evergreen, I love him more.

And I can already tell his allergies are thanking me.

Drum roll.....

Holly Frame Christmas 5x7 folded card

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Dinnerware

Okay ya'll...seriously needing some input on the Dinnerware Debate.

I found this Casafina pattern that I'm loving. It's Casafina Meridian in Cream. 

What do you think?

Like I said before I'm leaning more toward neutral colors that will go with anything.

The amazing thing about Casafina is that it's stoneware made in Portugal that is....

Dishwasher, Microwave, Freezer, and Oven Safe! 

ALL OF THOSE! 

The plates are heavy and don't seem like they will chip easily, which is super important with three boys.

Here's my second option from Lenox. It's Butler's Pantry Buffet. 

I haven't felt these plates in real life to see if they are heavy enough. I don't want thin plates!

I'm also thinking these may be a little dressier than I want. I really need to see them in person.

Third choice is FiestaWare in Ivory. These plates look more substantial to me.

It seems like EVERYONE has FiestaWare these days, and I know it's a great option. Just not sure that it's for me. However, I would buy it just for their Christmas plates. 

I LOVE THEM!!!!

Do you have any other suggestions? Christmas is almost here, and I need to decide!!

Tennessee Trip

Trying this post again!

We had a great family vacation in Pigeon Forge the beginning of this month. We left after school Tuesday night and drove all the way through with our camper in tow. Jeffry and I got in the bed at about 3:30 AM just knowing the kids would sleep late. They woke up at 7 AM! Crazy start to vacation, but it was great. 

Our Tennessee vacation schedule usually adds up to this: NO schedule! Everyone gets to chime in about where they would like to stop, and we work it into our day. It really makes for a laid back time, which is what I think we love most about our time there. 

We visited the Titanic museum that opened in April. It was very educational and interesting; Brayden especially enjoyed it because he had recently read a story about the Titanic. I didn't get any pics because they won't allow cameras. So sad. 

Our favorite thing about our Tennessee trips is hiking trails. VERY important seeing that we have three boys. This is what boys live for! Last year, we saw a mama bear and three cubs...hard to top that, but this year we found SNOW! The roads around Cade's Cove were closed due to snow and ice, but Jeffry does not give up until he has exhausted every effort! Especially when it comes to his boys seeing snow. We drove back into Gatlinburg and got some info on another area of the National Park that usually only locals go to. The guy at the gas station assured Jeffry that if there were snow to be found, we would find it there. And we did!

 I love this picture of all my guys hiking. Bray's pointing at something and looks so excited!

I love this picture of Jeffry and me. Taken on the Sky Line in Gatlinburg; it was my first time! I was a little nervous. You should see how you are barely strapped in that thing!

Breakfast at FlapJack's. Our favorite pancake cabin...a must for every Tennessee trip!

I think this was my favorite picture of the trip. Trace outside of the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen with his lollipop. Sheer joy. 

We had a great vacation and really just enjoyed some quality family time together. 

Everyone is well now, thank you to those of you who asked! Hopefully I can get back in the swing of posting now. I've missed it!

Sick day

I'm home today with Brayden and Caleb. Seems they both have the stomach bug that Jeffry and I had last week. There is lots of sanitizing, washing of sheets, and resting going on here at our house today. The sad thing is that today is their Thanksgiving lunch at school. All of the parents go up to the school for a traditional Thanksgiving meal with their kids. We've done this every year with Brayden, and I'm so sad Caleb has to miss his first time!

Aside from my sick boys, a huge thing on my mind today is our Thanksgiving menu. My parents and grandparents will be at my house this year and I want to cook my first-ever turkey. Do any of you have any turkey tips or tricks to share?

One more thing- I'm going to ask for new casual dinnerware for Christmas and I want to know what you have or what you love. There are so many choices...I lean more toward neutrals like ivory or taupe but I'm not ruling out colored patterns. If I could use the new Fiestaware Christmas pattern everyday I would but Jeffry won't go for that. Help me find something I will love for years to come....that's durable enough for my three cowboys. :)


...this was my first post from our iPad. I'm figuring it out! Hooray! When I get back to work I will retry my post with our Tennessee pics.

UGH BLOGGER

I just had a whole update post complete with pics, and it magically disappeared. Why???

Right Now...

...I am really wondering how Jesus would go about getting three kids ready for school on a Monday after vacation.

...I'm overwhelmed by all the work I have to sort through on my desk!

...I want you to hear this from yesterday's sermon..."Other people's opinions are not always WISDOM"

...I promise to update later today. With pictures hopefully! Sorry I've been so absent. It seems our holiday chaos started in October.