Word "less" Wednesday - Caption This

It's Beginning to look like Christmas!

Thanksgiving is over and and Black Friday has passed so that only means it was time to decorate for the holidays.

I actually started pulling down the fall decorations after turkey dinner. I was ready. It took a few days to get things brought up and sorted, but we have it all up.

My mom was a huge help as always and I think the house looks great! I will do a post on the outside of the house once I can get out there and get some pictures. Charlie out did himself but for now here is the inside of the house.

Here is the mantle - I took two because I love how it came out. The wreath I made last year from a Pinterest pin and it was super easy. I love that we added Mary's stocking this year. I was nervous about getting it monogrammed because it would not match but it matches perfectly! We have a monogram/stitch place in our mall and he was able to do it. Yes, I bought her stocking four years ago.............

Here is the kitchen table and the island. My Dad came home with the pointsetta on Black Friday and it fit perfectly where it is. The kitchen table decoration is floating cranberries with a jar candle that smells amazing. I got it at TJ Maxx along with the apothecary jar - good finds!

I have to give my mom credit for the next decorations. She always can see my vision. A friend showed me her apothecary jars filled with Christmas items and I immediately knew I wanted to do that for the dining room. I found three of them (can't see one of them) at TJ Maxx and the big tall one is from Home Goods. There were around $10 each but I know I will have them every year. We then hit up the Dollar Store to get decorations to put in them.  I'm in love with them!

This is our front entry. It's my "Santa" area. My parents brought the Santa at the desk. We had it growing up and Henry loves it! The little tree in the middle, I found at Home Goods and my mom wrapped the box to give it a little height. I think this might be Henry's favorite area of the house.

We are getting our tree this weekend after North Pole Breakfast. Donald our Elf has to be welcomed from the North Pole.

Finally, two pictures that I love. We took the kids to see Santa on Sunday. Mary was hesitant but did great and Henry was in all his glory. I have this picture on the mantle above the stockings. The last picture is a hat that a friend from my moms group made. I just love how it turned out!

Bring on the holidays!

Where to Start?!?

It's been almost a month since I posted.  We've been busy and I needed the break. I'm hoping to update the blog soon with a new fresh look.

Okay, so let's get started - I will try to throw picture in when I can and let's see how long this takes us.

I'll start with the weekend before Halloween, when I broke my foot, yes broke my foot. On Fridays, in our neighborhood we have happy hour in our street. Kids run around, parents chit chat, we order pizza and sit around fires. Our neighbors were stopping at the nursery and getting some carving pumpkins so I asked them to get us one because we were running out of time.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon and we are headed out to the Red Store. Neighbors are outside and I trot on over to get the pumpkin. I'm talking and not paying attention and well. I missed a step, fell in the bushes and broke my foot - TA DA!

Sunday is the ER and a trip to the airport to pick up Grandma and we can't forget the Superstorm Sandy was  on her way up the coast. Grandma came early, which was a life saver because me on crutches with two kids was about to drive Charlie insane.

Superstorm Sandy blows through and we are fine but my family and friends in NJ not so much. My brothers family lost power for 12 days and my friend Jenny was evacuated from her house in the Jersey shore.

Halloween!!!! Mary is dressed as a little lamb and Henry is the super reader Super Why. He picked his costume this year and he did a great job. They both looked adorable. The Baker's came over and we all headed out trick or treating. I was given a walking boot that morning so that made things a little easier. Halloween came and went.

Thursday my brother and the family came down from NJ because they were tired of being cold and not being able to shower. We had a great weekend with them and the Bakers and Grandma. We had our own little Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday night since we would not be celebrating with these families this year.

Sunday, we did pictures with Helen John Photography. Amazing as usual.You can't even tell I have a broken foot.

My parents had offered to come early to help us out but we had a week by ourselves with no help. It went pretty well. Charlie has been amazing through this whole foot issue and we have been moving right along.

Last Friday, a friend from CT came to see us and we had our daughters meet. Then on Saturday, Mary turned 10 months old. TWO MONTHS UNTIL SHE IS A YEAR - TWO MONTHS! She is crawling like a champ and pulling up to her knees. She is my little explorer.

Now for the hardest part......Charlie and I have made a family decision and decided that it is best for Maggie to find a new family. A family friend has offered to take Maggie and we could not be happier that she is going to get the attention she needs. This family had a springer spaniel in the past and was ready to get a new puppy. She knew we were having a hard time with Maggie and offered to Charlie to take her. Charlie and I debated the decision for a quite a few days and in the end we came to the conclusion that Maggie would be happier with this new family. They have a fenced in yard and have the extra time to spoil her.

We worried how Henry would handle it. He is deathly afraid of her and she did use him as a chew toy. This was our biggest fear. We finally told him last night that Maggie is moving to a new family, tomorrow. He at first, said No, we have a yard and then Charlie explained that she won't bite him and jump on him anymore. His face lit up and he said "ok" and then (insert knife into heart) he said, maybe we can get Ellie back because she did not bite me. I had to leave the room because I did not want him to see me crying.

After, Charlie told him no we can't get Ellie back but someday we can get another dog. Henry then asked if we can get a Snoopy dog. He was watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving while all of this was going on. So, the conversation went pretty well and this morning he said good bye to her, turned to us and asked if tonight we can go get that Snoopy dog.

Luckily, my parents are showing up tonight so that will help with the distraction. He is also getting new bedroom furniture. He picked out a bunk bed and a new dresser. He is hoping that Grandfy can sleep on the top bunk.

So, in a nut shell that is what we have been up to. I have been party planning like crazy. I have the invitations ready, just need to be addressed and mailed in December.I have been blessed with the craftiest friends, ever and they have been a huge help putting the parties together.

I have started the Christmas shopping from my laptop since I cant drive and I'm really looking forward to the holiday season this year. Mary's first Thanksgiving and Christmas, Elf on the Shelf with Henry, Holiday parties and most importantly spending time with family.

I promise I will be blogging more this month.