holiday

Wonderland

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This past weekend was quite honestly, bliss. The kids had Friday and Monday off and Craig had Monday off. We took advantage of the time we’d all get together. It was one of those weekends that fills your cup, rejuvenates your soul and energizes you for the coming week. Our family played lots of games on Friday and Saturday. Over the weekend Craig and I also introduced the kids to Shrek and then watched the second one, as well. Eventually we’ll get to the other two.

On Monday we went up the mountains to Craig’s families cabin to sled and spend some time with family up there. It was a really good time. I couldn’t get over just how beautiful everything was. Absolutely stunning. It was all just so white and sparkly. It was one of those moments where you sit and stare out at the snow covered trees, watching the snow fall and sitting in that beautiful stillness and silence where you could feel the spirit closer. There was more clarity in my mind. Things felt so good and pretty. I am grateful for those moments I was able to steal while we were up there sledding and laughing.

I also got the crude reminder that I’m getting older! We went sledding down the entire mountain and it was a bouncy, chaotic ride. I wanted to be the cool mom, so I grabbed a sled, one of my kids and we shot down. Now I’m so sore ha! We had fun though, so I thiiiiink that was worth it!

No Elf on the Shelf

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Well it finally happened. I knew it would eventually, but I really hoped it’d take a lot longer. I haven’t adequately prepared myself. I didn’t figure out what answers I’d have for the difficult questions that would be asked. But alas, here we are and the questions have been asked.

Oof.

My oldest boys asked if we could have an elf on the shelf.

Craig and I have been on the same page about this since elf on the shelf happened. NO! No elf. That just seems like…a lot. Our family and close friends who have an elf have even warned us against ever committing to such a task.

But do you know how hard it is to say no to your cute little sons sometimes when they ask for something so excitedly and purely?? It’s kinda brutal.

For those of who who’ve also decided, with Santa of course, that the elf life isn’t for you.. how did you break it to your kids?

My kids really love their advent calendars. Craig and I have sort of told them we decided with Santa that instead of an elf, we’d take a few calendars. They seemed ok with it for the time being, but I know it’s going to come up again.

But why is there this silly part of me that feels like I’m depriving my children of some kind of Christmas magic?

I’m not, right?

Right?

I need validation, people.

Gah. So what would you guys do? How do you kindly tell your kids it happens for some kids, but not for you?

Helps appreciated in advance 🙂

Oogie Boogie’s Bash, 2021

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You already know that Halloween time in Disneyland is my favorite thing. I’ve already given you a post about our trip but I saved the best for last. So here it is! Enjoy our pictures.

We went with being the Fab 5 this year (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald) and my sisters were Chip and Dale. Our costumes were relatively easy to make and came together so cute!!

Gosh, I love it all.

Yes. Always.

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Eight years ago this evening, Craig took me to a park, walked me to a picnic table that was underneath an enormous balloon bouquet and handed me an Adventure Book that he’d written and created. We read it together, reminiscing on all of the adventures we’d gone on in our year of dating. At the end of the book, he’d wrote that he loved our adventures and wanted them to continue on forever.

On the last page, he asked me to marry him. YES YES YES. The best, most easy decision I’ve ever made is agreeing to marry my Craig. I am better, happier and lighter because of him.

Our Memorial Day

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On Monday we celebrated Memorial Day. Every year I end up feeling the same way on this day – I feel so proud and grateful. I feel like you read it thousands of times on that day, but the quote “land of the free because of the brave,” always stirs my heart up a bit. I am so very grateful that there are people in this world who fight for my freedoms. I am grateful for their dedication to people. I am grateful for their families. I am grateful for their bravery – oh my goodness, their bravery. I vow to always remember these people and honor them.

On this day, we went with my family to visit my sweet grandpa (who served in the Korean War) and walked around the cemetery for a while. My boys are obsessed with pinwheels and made it their life mission to touch every pinwheel in the cemetery. I always enjoy looking at the gravestones and just wondering who these people were. After that, we went and visited Craig’s grandma at a different cemetery. We didn’t stay very long, but we still did some ‘browsing’ and pinwheel touching. It was such a nice, peaceful day. It felt good to be outside in the nice weather and to visit loved ones who we miss, dearly.

Ode to Mothers

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I know I’m a few days late, but I couldn’t let Mothers Day slip by without saying anything.

I am so, so grateful to be Harrison, Emmett and Baby Sisters mom. I am eternally grateful for their pure, sweet, genuine love for me. I am grateful for their patience with me and for how highly they think of me. I am grateful for the way they look at me and for the ways they can make me feel so happy and for the ways they can soothe my soul. Its easy to think you aren’t good enough for your precious kids, but these guys do their best in their own unique ways to remind me that I am exactly what they need – and they love me so much. They’ll never understand just how much I love them and just how thankful I am for them. I am blessed beyond blessed and don’t take the gift of being their mother for granted.

I’m so grateful for my own sweet mom who has always been my best friend, closest confidant, go-to ride partner and safe place. She is an angel woman with a heart of gold. She’s somehow found the secret balance of how to be a really good mom and a really good friend all at the same time and I can only hope to have half of the same kind of great relationship with my own kids as they grow up as my mom has with each of her kids.

I am so grateful to my mother-in-law who became an instant friend the day I met her and who has always been a source of joy and help in my life ever since. She is crafty and clever, hilarious, friendly and a great listener. I’m particularly grateful for the fact that she had Craig – the perfect person for me.

Mushy Stuff

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Do you like our most recent picture together? 

Craig and I don’t do anything special or fancy for Valentine’s Day, and truthfully that’s exactly what we both want. We like simple. We like home. Also we like not trying to get into a restaurant that the rest of the state is trying to get into at the same time, you know?

I’m very thankful for my every-day-Valentine. People say it a lot about their significant other, but I really did win the lottery when it comes to husbands. Craig is incredibly helpful in all things. He helps with housework, he helps with kids (diaper changes, cleaning up their messes, etc), he helps with my random projects and he helps me feel lighter and more sane and confident each and every day. He is the epitome of a family man. He works hard to support our family and when he’s back from work, he’s 100% dedicated to us. He makes our kids feel important and valued. He makes me feel understood and validated. He puts his little family first and he sees the importance of this little unit we have.

He is the funniest person I have ever met. His sense of humor is something I’ve grown to crave. He has a way of making me laugh harder than I ever have before. He is completely selfless. He takes care of me and our kids so well and he puts us first. He is insanely supportive, too. I feel so lifted up by him because whenever I have a new thing I want to try, endeavor I want to take, etc, he supports me fiercely.

Not a day goes by that I’m not thankful for this man – my best friend.

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone, but especially my Wild Man.

 

It’s Almost that Time!

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What time? Halloween time in Disneyland!!

This year, instead of the usual and wonderful Mickey’s Halloween Party in Disneyland, it will be Oogie Boogie Bash in California Adventure! Totally not going to lie – I am bummed it isn’t being held in Disneyland, BUT several years ago when the Halloween party was in California Adventure I still loved it, so I have no doubt I’ll still love 2019s Halloween Party!

We are getting our costumes all cooked up and ready and we are bursting at the seams we are so excited to get to our favorite place during our favorite time SO soon!

How about some facts now:

  • Tickets cost $110 a person ages 3+ (I know, I know. Lots of $$$, but worth every penny)
  • Oogie Boogie Bash goes from September 17 – October 31
  • Since we don’t get the amazing firework show behind the castle, we get Villainous! A World of Color show that is sure to be amazing!
  • Mickey’s Trick and Treat – a show which is said to be an interactive Halloween party with Mickey and pals!
  • Our tried and true Frightfully Fun Parade will be there!
  • One of my personal faves, Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark will be going!!
  • There will be spooktacular overlays, decorations, photo ops and so much more!!

If you’re wanting to go, act fast and buy your tickets soon!!

And happy almost Halloween in Disneyland time!

Haunted Mansion Celebrates 50 Years!

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There was no way I was letting my all time favorite Disneyland attraction go without a birthday shoutout, especially on its 50th anniversary!!

Between the amazing, spooky theming, the music and the ballroom and attic scenes, I can’t help but be hooked! I think Haunted Mansion is my favorite because, to me, of all the rides in Disneyland, this is the one that takes you into its story in the most depth. When I enter the gates of Haunted Mansion, I’ve entered a different world. I’m no longer in Disneyland, I’m on the grounds of a haunted old mansion with creepy creeps and grim grinning ghosts. I feel like I’ve entered my own personal ghost story — and I love it.

Happy 50th, Haunted Mansion! Believe me, I’m trying really hard to “hurry baaaaack!”

Our Happy 4th of July

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Our Independence Day was just wonderful. It was simple, quiet and so, so happy and exactly what we needed. You know how somedays you just realize how badly you need a small break from reality? I think Craig and I were both definitely at that point, so having a day dedicated to fun and family was exactly what we both longed for.

We spent the morning at home not doing much special. Then we headed over to my families house where we had a barbecue and swam for several hours (i think it should be our new family rule that we must swim on 4th of july), and caught up with my mom and sister who had spent the last few days in Disney World with some friends – lucky.

Next, we packed up our van and drove up to Craig’s parents cabin up north. There, we had dinner, went 4-wheeling (my favorite), spent time outside, watched the fireworks from up in the mountain which was really neat, then we spent the night! The next morning we had a delicious breakfast, did some more 4-wheeling (still my favorite), then went back home.

It was just the best. It was revitalizing and exciting and best of all, a bunch of time with my sweet family and our extended families.

I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July, as well!! You all deserve it.