Hello Out There...

Hello, friends!

I have not logged onto our blog since November.

Lots going on.

This is such a crazy, busy time of year.

We have had something holiday related to attend every weekend.

Ryan and I have been to 3 Christmas parties already and have another one on Saturday night.

In addition, the kids have had family events at school and several end-of-the-year projects to work on.

On top of all that, we've been studying with The Teenager every night for his semester exams

which take place next Monday, Wednesday and Friday before the Christmas break,

while I, myself, am studying for the Art EC-12 test.

Busy.

* Last Sunday was the annual neighborhood cookie exchange.
This year I made a little something I found on Pinterest.
Oreos, white chocolate and sprinkles
Easy.
Even though the party was only for the moms,
it didn't stop our sweet little guys from helping make the cookies.

Yum.

They were a huge hit.

One of my students told me he brought one for his lunch on Monday since his mother was at the party too.

What a great group of women.

So glad we moved here.

*I decorated for Christmas right after Thanksgiving as usual

but haven't even felt like posting any pics.

It's a weird holiday season this year.

Our first without Ed.

There is definitely a big hole in our hearts.

It actually, literally hurts thinking about it.

The kids are feeling it too.

They asked recently to watch the video I put together for Ed's funeral

but only made it through a few pictures.

He had quite an impact on our little boys.

It still doesn't seem real.

Ryan and I sadly don't have our boys on Christmas Eve this year,

so we are going to dinner with Carol that night

to celebrate the memory of Ed at one of our favorite places we used to all go together.

So.....here's what I came up with this Christmas.

Not a lot changed from last year except for the table in the dining room.

I can't wait to recover these chairs.

I love the fabric, but I want to lighten them up, and make them a little less color specific.

This pillow is from our trip to New York last year

where we visited the Mackenzie Child's factory with Ed and Carol.

{A close up of the Christmas banner I made}

I love the way red and black look together.

On to the front porch.

It wouldn't be Christmas without our stocking.

And my favorite signs everywhere

{A collection of old and new}

Some new Santas, some from Ryan's bachelor days and some from his childhood

The Santa from my precious mother and the reindeer Ed made when Ryan was little.

The monkey I bought last year at Frisco Mercantile.

Still love that place.

The mantle looking the same as last year.

This pillow is one of my favorites for many reasons!

The Christmas rug Carol bought me for my birthday last year.

I was in New York with her on that day, and despite the horrific blizzard going on,

she was determined to take me out for some retail therapy.

*And finally, a few of my current favorite finds from "that" website.

How true is this:

I'm totally copying this for Carter's Valentine cards this year.

How cute are these!

I want this mug.

She was my very favorite author I read during college in my literature classes.

Brothers are awesome. 

I want it all:

And last but not least,

for your pure enjoyment:

Have a great day, friends!!