Ellen Love

Anistynn loves her some Ellen! She takes after her Mama ;) She adores Ellen - every time it comes on, she always gets so excited and points and smiles real big. We dance together with Ellen every week day. Even if I've recorded it on my DVR and I'm fast forwarding through commercials, she will know when it's back on and go, "Oh!" So cute. Here's a video of A dancing to Ellen (I'll get a better one soon) and some Ellen inspired photos ;)

Fair Warning

Happy New Year's Eve! Hope you all have a safe time tonight - you know what's even better than getting wasted and partying with people you dont know? Staying sober and partying with your super cool family, like I'm doing! Imagine all the memories you'll make... and remember! Whatever you're doing, here's wishing you a safe and enjoyable time!

Christmas Shenanigans!

Where do I begin?! December was sure a whirlwind of a month! There was SO much going on! I've already posted December photos and our Durango trip so this post is about things related to Christmas and the holiday season. The pictures are all things that have to do with those two things. Let's begin!

Our front door (I was REALLY hoping for snow!):

Our tree all set up on December 1st :) 

I had a very special ornament made this year (I had it done at Things Remembered). I thought it would be nice to make a memorial ornament in honor of my grandma. She loved Christmas (and so do I) so I thought it would be fitting. It hangs by a red velvet string with a heart at the top that says "2012." On the front it says, "We never lose the one we love - they live on in our hearts." Inside it says, "- Granny - Forever wouldn't have been long enough" and there is a picture of her. On the back it says, "Edith Nation 5.9.1930 - 6.12.2012." I love it! 

One of my favorite ornaments ;) 

I found this ornament from when I was a little girl in my ornament box . So cool! 

I gave in and got an Elf on the Shelf set up. I think it would be a fun tradition to partake in once Anistynn gets older! It will be a blast hiding the elf in a different place each night for A to find the next day. It will probably be a good incentive for her to behave as well, since the elf is always watching her... ;) I found it really cheap, which is why I got it this year. For now, it will just chill out until A is old enough to understand. This year, our elf sat near the TV (as is shown below). I even got a pretty little skirt for her since she is a girl elf ;) We havent named her yet - we want Anistynn to do that.

We went to the tree lighting in downtown Gresham (as is tradition) on December 1st :) 

A slept in snowflake jammies on the first night of December! 

Tony's artsy shot while we were at Cafe D with some friends :)

Candy Cane head wear to represent the season! ;)

Christmas Eve! We went to my grandpa's house (again, tradition) so we dressed A in western gear ;) She wore her "I Love Horses" shirt...

.... and her cowgirl boots! 

A LOVES her Great Gramps! 

Grandpa had a whole spread set up - I really appreciated it since I know it must be so hard to experience the holidays (especially the first ones) without your spouse, who has always been there. He really put in a good effort to keep it the same, which is so sweet. He even made the punch that Granny usually made!

It also warmed my heart to see his table full of gifts and cards from friends and family - he truly is loved and it made me happy to see all of this. 

Grandpa gave Anistynn a Teddy Bear for Christmas - she loved it and of course kissed it into the family ;) 

She then helped grandpa open his gift from me (us): 

I made a calendar in memory of Granny, my mom, and Rascal. Grandpa loved it - he so appreciated it, he teared up. It made me happy to see he loved it so much. 

Cards from Grandpa!

Anistynn loves sitting in Grandpa's big chair ;)

"Santa's" snack was Reese's Trees and milk this year - since A isnt old enough to help make cookies yet. Works for me! Um, uh... I mean "Santa" ;) 

Santa came!!

Christmas morning! 

A saw her rocking horse first and proceeded immediately to it to kiss it, stepping on other gifts, not even caring. It was so cute! 

We made sure she ate breakfast first before we opened presents ;) 

Stockings! Anistynn got a stuffed reindeer, a card with finger puppets, Christmas Goldfish, The Snowy Day board book, a Bubble Guppies DVD, bath toys that stick to the tub, and a Nightmare Before Christmas hair clip!

Tony got a card, Cars, Whoppers, Kit Kats, and a Jack figurine. 

I got notepads, nose rings, an awesome tree necklace, a beautiful snowflake necklace (he gave me one last year too - I'm thinking it might be a tradition haha), and a Sally figurine. YES, Tony and I gave each other pretty much the same thing, just different characters (that go together)! It was hilarious. But it worked out perfectly :)

Anistynn sporting the hat her Great Grandma, Bonnie, knitted for her. It was a little small though.. but we got it on her for some pics! 

Testing her new horse out! 

Handmade boat for A from her Great Grandpa Thomas.

Blocks!

Black jeans for Tony (his favorite brand - 511).

Ornament for me! You put it on a light and the light shines through the door :) 

Cat piano! 

Butterfly tunnel! 

Close up of the hair bow!

The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, and Step Up: Revolution (with included work out DVD) for Tony.

Whistle for A from her Great Grandpa Thomas.

Ellen underwear for my man ;) 

Apples To Apples for the fam!

Puzzles (jungle animals, numbers, and letters) for A!

Beautiful necklace with Anistynn's name on it and her birthstone (Sapphire) from my Secret Santa, Tony's Aunt Susan! I looove it. 

Headbands for A! Of course... haha. But I actually won all of these from Isabella's Boutique so it's even MORE awesome! 

Beautiful ornaments for me in honor of my Granny, who loved hummingbirds and owls :)

My Future Listography for me - Tony wanted me to fill it out so HE could read it! How sweet is that?!

Skull PJ pants for Tony!

Giraffe ring holder for me!

Socks (to wear with flats) and a 2013 planner for me!

A's gift from Diana, her Prayer Warrior. So sweet! She got a ladybug ice pack, two bear snack containers, and a rattle board book! All in a cute bag, too! So thoughtful :)

Thermal for Tony!

My Quotable Kid for me! It's a journal to write down all the funny things Anistynn will say as she gets older that I want to remember. Love it! 

Cute wrapping - Tony always does creative wrapping. It's definitely an aspect of him that I love!!! I'm really into wrapping and cards :) 

Car keys for Miss A!

The Polar Express for A (it is a tradition for us to read the story, watch the movie, and go on the themed train ride every year). I even wrote in it! 

Movies for A!

She got The Lion King, Lady & The Tramp, Cinderella, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lorax, Brave, and Tangled!

Opening a gift from Mama!

I got her a Little Maven outfit, Tori Spelling's children's line!

Special book - Santa Is Coming To Portland!

Having fun with packaging! ;) 

Anistynn's adorable little Christmas dress from Bow So Pretty! I had it custom made - I picked out the fabrics and everything. I love the little apron on the front and all the different textures of it. 

My Christmas outfit :) 

Spongebob shoes for A from her Uncle Josh! 

A wiener dog pot holder that my mom made for me! I love love love it!! 

Tony's tiny ponytail - we had fun on Christmas..... ;D

Our little Christmas angel :)

We did end up getting a little bit of snow at the end of December! 

Our nephew, Kemper, in the shirt and vest we got him for Christmas!

Our nephew, Porter, in the outfit we got him for Christmas! 

Overall, we had a very nice Christmas and holiday season. We are so blessed in many many ways. I hope you all had a wonderful season too! Happy Holidays!