House Day!

Did you think I forgot?

I just didn’t want to talk about it so that I wasn’t OBSESSING about it.

We should get keys at some point today.

We are going to have one busy weekend!

Finally. Dreams become reality.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Parade of Lights

I saw lots of buzz about this on Facebook. We weren't sure we were going to go (what with no proper winter coats and all).

But we sit home just about every evening and we thought it would be fun to get out for a little bit (not ALL of us agreed).

It was beautiful! And not too chilly. I love seeing downtown Holland all decorated for Christmas! Look at a couple of store fronts.






By the end of the parade all the boys were happy we went. Especially because they had pockets full of candy!
Here are some shots I took of the parade.












That last one was awesome. What a great idea!

I love this time of year!

What did you guys think of the parade? Or did you stay home?

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Black Friday Deals #2 & #3

These items were also bought at JCP. They had the cutest skinny jeans! And they had them in an array of different colors and patterns. My sis-in-law got a patterned purple pair and a black and grey herringbone pair. So cute!
These jeans fit absolutely perfect. They are 'short' length. That's why they fit so good! $15




I bought this fun pair for my hubby's work Christmas party. I want some kind of blousy red top to go with them. I haven't found a good one yet. I need to adjust the length of the pants. They are a little long. $17




Are the black pants too much? I'm a little nervous to wear them.

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Black Friday Deal #1

I am already using one of my Christmas presents. It was something purchased in Iowa on Black Friday. I am in ❤love❤ with this coat.

I saw one I really liked at Target that was a lot like this one. It was $50. When I saw this coat at JCP and looked at the price tag- $50. My heart deflated. It was more than we spend on each other in our exchange.

I continued to shop around the store but after a while ended up by the coats again. A salesperson asked if she could help. I asked if she would check the price to see if it was on sale. It was! $35!!!

So my mom-in-law got it for my present. It's so nice to have a warm coat since all of ours are still locked up in storage!




Anyone else open a gift and already start using it?

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Thanksgiving Family Pictures

I decided to bring clothes along to Iowa to do some family pictures.

We did the boys’ pictures, but not family pictures.

My sis-in-law took them for us. They turned out great! And the setting was beautiful.

Are you guys doing any shopping on this Cyber Monday?

I plan to check out some of the great deals!

Black Friday Madness

We had so much fun!

I bought too much stuff!
But I did at great prices.

Crazy people make me laugh.
But since I was out with them I guess I'm kind of crazy too.










Have a safe and happy weekend!

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Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a beautiful day here in Iowa.

Hope your day is full of good food, fun company and thankful hearts!




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Thrift Store Revival

This past weekend I finally got to go to a thrift store. I had some babysitting money (thanks Kelli!).

I found this sweater at Goodwill. It's not anything special but it is super soft and comfortable and I love the color.




I found this sweater while looking for something for my oldest boy. It's actually for him but I couldn't resist trying it on. If he doesn't wear it I will be stealing it for myself. Tags were still on it- GREAT DEAL!!




For you locals- check out Africa's Child. Totally worth it!

I also found these shoes for E there.



Clearly acceptable because he's been wearing them ever since.

I also got some pants for JJ that he was badly in need of. But those aren't exciting enough to show.

Anyone else get some great deals lately? I should ask for money for Christmas so I can keep up my addiction!

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Amazon Lightening Deals

Absolutely amazing!

Have you guys been watching the daily deals on Amazon.com?

I keep it up on my laptop or periodically check it on my phone. I got Rachel Rays stainless cookware set for pretty cheap. Merry Christmas to me!

Here is a few snap shots of what it looks like today.












If you are looking for a great deal on specific things- take a look! You never know what will come up next.
Happy shopping!

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Shower Invites

We are putting on a baby shower for my sis-in-law Kristen. I really wanted to be able to do the invitations myself.
I dabble in Photoshop. I am not an expert by any means. I have experimented and learned things by just playing around. I've also taken an online free class from Jessica Sprague. I do lots if reading. The library is a great resource. I have this book right now.



I haven't had much time to look at it but plan to this week.

So, we are going with an elephant theme for the shower. I found an Etsy shop that was selling the elephants in the colors we wanted as a .png file. Perfect! I wouldn't have been able to make something on my own that cute or that fast. $10.

Then I just started playing with layers and designing the invites. This is how they turned out.



Not bad, huh?
I blurred out some if the information on there on purpose.

Then I ordered them through Wal-Mart.com. They cost a little extra because I ordered them as postcards so they were printed on sturdier card stock. They also have lines for the addresses.

I can't wait to start on some of the decorations!

Happy Monday!

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Friday Updates

1. Thanksgiving is next week. Did anyone know that? It kind of crept up on me. I have much to be thankful for. I haven’t even looked at one Black Friday ad online yet. That may change today.

http://www.theblackfriday.com/

2. My boys have no school next week. All. Week. Off. Woooo hooo!

3. We weren’t planning on doing any traveling for Thanksgiving because we thought we would be working on our house. The boys love going to Iowa every year, which is what we usually do. We decided we will be going after all and the boys are ecstatic!



4. I have high hopes of getting my Christmas shopping done early this year. I actually think that every year but it never happens.
5. I’m in withdraw for some second-hand shopping. I may have to rectify that this weekend.
6. We bought the movie Brave a few days ago. We are watching it as a family tonight. Can’t wait!!

7. My boys are starting to get interested in basketball (which thrills their dad) and I will be signing them up to participate in Holland Rec’s basketball program.
8. I’m helping to put on a baby shower for my sis-in-law Kristen in December. I’m also helping her redo her rocking chair. Both things will be featured on here in the coming weeks.
9. I need to use this weekend to be very productive. Anyone else have big plans to get things done?
10. The crazy, busy, fun, beautiful, special, memorable Holiday season is upon us. Bring it on!

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Dreaded 15th

Not really. I was very much looking forward to this day. But we now take possession on the 30th- not today.

Today I am babysitting this cutie-pie-




Instead of getting into this-

That's okay though. 15 days to go. And this little guy is so good and so much fun!

Hunters stay safe!

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Vegan Adventure

I know I stated this in another post but I didn’t go into any detail. I recently read this book.

It was a lot to take in but it made logical sense to me. To summarize- Dr. Fuhrman believes that dairy and meat are the leading cause of disease. And that fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and beans have all the nutrition we need in our diet.

So for six weeks I am eating vegan. I am a week and a half into it. In the beginning it was hard. Very hard. But only because I had to kick my caffeine addiction. I had a headache for about two days. I had a sugar addiction too. That was a little harder. I still crave sweets once in a while. But it’s getting easier.

But what about protein? you ask.

Green leafy vegetables contain more protein per ounce than steak.

Here is what I am supposed to try to eat each day (I say try because it’s hard to do all of them, but most of the time I do).

- Eat a pound of salad

- Eat a pound of cooked vegetables

- Eat an ounce of raw nuts

- Eat a cup of beans

- Eat at least four whole fruits

Benefits so far: My skin is more clear. I don’t get headaches. I wake up feeling better. I’ve lost six pounds.

I realize a lot of the weight I lost may have been water weight. My body used to retain a lot of water. I pee about twice and much as I used (which was not very much to begin with).

But weight loss is just a side benefit to getting yourself healthy and more able to fight sickness and disease.

I am now reading this book to try to help stop my kids from getting sick so often-

I will let you know what I think when I’m done. I know it won’t be easy to change what my kids eat. But I’m going to try.

I got this book from the library this past week.

I made a recipe from it last night. It was delicious. I’m excited to eat the leftovers today. It was a vegetable chili and so very easy to make.

I don’t feel deprived at all, so I think I can make it. I may allow a little Turkey on Thanksgiving Day. But that’s it.

After the six weeks I will probably allow some meat, but hardly any dairy. About 90% of my diet will be like it is now with only 10% of the other stuff.

Go to your library and check out these books if you have the time! They have tons of great information.

If anyone wants the vegetable chili recipe- let me know!

Hook, Line and Sinker

I’m hooked.

I can’t stop watching.

If you haven’t hopped on the train, get on it.

Choo Choo!

Seriously, though. I am in the middle of Season 2. When I am done, I will want Season 3 but it isn’t in the U.S. yet. It airs on PBS in Great Britian first. Then it comes here. But I have heard rumors that you can watch some episodes online. I will be searching soon.

It’s awesome.

A Unique Wedding

We went to my cousin's wedding this weekend. It was very different but pretty at the same time.

When I spoke to my Aunt a couple of months back she mentioned the wedding would have camouflage in it. My initial reaction was not a good one. My Aunt's family is really into hunting and anything outdoors. Apparently the bride-to-be is even more so.

Here are some snapshots from their day.






Her wedding dress was more traditional. It was lacy and gorgeous. My cousin wore a white tux. His groomsmen wore a tan tux with a camouflage vest and tie. The bridesmaids wore brownish dresses. Sometimes they looked like an eggplant color. The flowers they used were sunflowers.



The reception









I think overall it was beautiful. It's not something I would have chosen, but still pretty.
Even their invitations went along with the theme.



(I crossed out things to keep them anonymous)

We had a lot of fun and the boys have discovered they love going to weddings. They like to get out on the dance floor and "dance".
Happy Monday!

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Holiday Dressing

That could be confusing. Is this post about food or clothing.
Today it's about clothing.

I found a new online shop. Unfortunately I didn't pin it on Pinterest and I can't find it again!
I had downloaded some of their pictures. I was thinking of this combo for Scott's work Christmas party.

We are going to the Trans Siberian Concert. Is that appropriate wear for a concert?

I also really liked these tops and dresses. The prices were really good. Boy, I wish I could find it again!

Scott and the boys are going to a Michigan basketball game tonight. I have a gift card to the mall from last Christmas. I think I know what I'm doing tonight!

Have a great weekend!