a crafty christmas.

Oooh how I love Christmas time.

Everything about it, but one of my favorite things about this time of year is all the decorating!

I think Pinterest is going to get me in trouble this year though..

everytime my husband turns around I am starting another crafty project.

This year I made some cute & super simple bunting for our tree.

I just used cream linen and some Christmas colored buttons I had..

that is the good thing about doing stuff like this all the time, I have acquired so much crafting "stuff" that I can just go through my boxes and find fun things to use!

This was so simple, but just the right touch for our tree.

(yes, our tree is a fake, I do love real trees -

 but we will opt to use our fake tree one more time for this year)

all the little details matter ..

I made these 'joy' and 'peace' bunting's for some pictures I did of the girlies last month

(can't share them yet!!)

I just used burlap, fabric & iron on letters... 

they ended up being the perfect extra touch for the family room.

Now to my favorite creation of the year..

my 'no-sew' ruffle tree skirt..

I followed these directions pretty much exactly, besides changing the ribbon color..

It was pretty easy to make, although my big belly is getting in the way of leaning over for things like this! The fabric can get expensive, I was lucky enough to have a few coupons to use for it... and it does take lots of hot glue gun sticks, but totally worth it. It really looks like I could have bought it, even my husband was super impressed.

Last but not least, from last year, we have our count down to Christmas day..

It is still waiting for ornaments, well really waiting for December to begin tomorrow.

So most of the decorating is done, 

now time for some yummy baking?!

.. maybe some cute DIY gifts coming soon too :)

xo.

Thankful.

It seems like each year there is more & more to be thankful for.

The obvious..

.. their health, their laughter, & their love.

Truly the best gift.

I am so thankful for my husband for being so caring, patient & loving.

We are so lucky.

This year we are all thankful for this healthy & ever growing baby in my belly.

I cannot wait to have my three girls in my arms at once.

They cannot wait to get their hands on their little sister..

Of course I am thankful for so much more too.

We had such a great time with our family & friends this Thanksgiving,

and ate some super delicious food!

I hope you all enjoyed your family & friends too.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

xo

just a boring, pictureless update ..

I haven't just written in a while, I feel like there has been so much going on, I have definitely been neglecting my blog. I miss the crafts & baking posts, luckily with the busy season of work slowing down I will be able to catch up on that stuff. Plus, this is the season for all the best kinds of crafts & DIYs.

I guess I'll bore you with some pregnancy updates..

26 weeks along this week.. that sounds so close to 30 .. & that is what I consider in the home stretch to the end ! I find myself getting so anxious to just have this baby, but then I remember that I have an almost 4 year old... so I know I can be patient. I am trying to enjoy just having two children right now, because I know that three will really mix things up! 

Everything has been going pretty good with this pregnancy overall...

 but the beginning was tough.. so tough.. the toughest out of all three pregnancies.

Sick everyday, every minute. After almost being admitted to the hospital, begging my Dr. not to do that to me, I ended up with a Zofran pump... giving me med 24/7 so I could survive.

I made it through. At about 12 weeks on the dot I was feeling better.

I think I am in the "feel good" stage right now.. besides the not sleeping and being exhausted all the time, I am "feeling good".

I am loving my belly, trying to soak up every day of it because I'm just not sure I can do it again.

Baby is kicking and moving around all the time. I officially started getting kicked in the ribs this week.

The best part of all of this is seeing the girls reactions about the new baby.

They definitely both understand whats coming. They love to feel the baby move, especially Maddie, she will sit there patiently waiting to feel a movement & when she does her face lights up.

I know I will have a couple good helpers when baby arrives :)

Hoping that the next three months fly by smoothly.. 

all I ask is that she comes between 37-42 weeks & I have a quick labor.. I hope she is listening ! 

We do have a name picked out & I will post a blog with is soon :)

The only real thing we have started to do to "prepare" for baby is getting the big girls in new beds & redoing their room... not even really for the baby haha.

I can't wait to finish & share how cute it looks! I have way too many ideas.. thanks to Pinterest.

Work has been very consistent, every time I think I'm getting ahead, I find myself having more & more to do.. that is good though right? What am I going to do with myself when I am not shooting this winter?! I have a few more shoots this year, then I will be back at it in the Spring of next year. I love seeing my 2012 calendar filling up already!

I of course am so excited for the holidays this year, 

always with the girlies the holidays are so much better. 

I love Thanksgiving with family & friends, obviously good food. 

But my favorite is Christmas time- seeing the joy on my girls faces & of course being with family & obviously eating then too :)

Hopefully that doesn't sound like one big rant, but just thought I would share a little more than usual.

Be back soon friends ! 

xo