#Blogmas14: What Christmas Means To Me

Christmas to me is.....

FAMILY- The very first thing that I think of when I think about Christmas or the holidays in general is family. My husband has a huge italian family and it is one of my very favorite things about the holidays. My family has always just been my parents and I so we are used to a small low key holiday so we celebrate twice and they are polar opposites!

Foster with "Kiwi"- 2012

Foster with Nana- 2012

Foster with Auntie Meg- 2012

Foster with Papa-2013

Foster with Great Gram- 2012

Foster with his cousins (and dad) - 2012

Our family of 3 - 2013

Foster with Grandma and Papa Chesnut- 2013

Daddy, Mommy, Foster, & Bella- 2013

Gram and all her grandkids and great-grandkids - 2013

FOOD- Justin's family being italian does TONS of food for the holidays. About 40 types of cookies among other desserts. Gram makes handmade ravioli (both meat and cheese ones), homemade sauce & meatballs and more.... it is divine! I look forward to Grams christmas dinner all year. She also cooks a roast beef and a bunch of sides including yorkshire pudding (Justin's favorite).

Decorating cookies with my mom and baby.

Sprinkles are serious.

LOVE- There is so much love at the holidays and it makes my heart so happy!

TIME TO GIVE- I love giving gifts to my family and friends but even more importantly this is a season to remember those who don't have what we do. I try and volunteer at the food bank or other places during the holiday season. I also do angel tree children that I shop for. I just think this season is a great time the spread the love and help others.

MEMORIES- So many memories are made around the holidays. I wish that they came around more often ;)

#Blogmas14: Christmas Tree Reveal

Well, ladies and gentleman, I am going to have to apologize on this one because my tree is up and lit but the ornaments are not on yet. They were supposed to go on tonight but a toddler that I know was being extra sassy and bad tonight so he was told we couldn't decorate the christmas tree. Wednesday this tree is getting trimmed!

Here is our tree last year:

#Blogmas14: Gift Guide for Him

I don't know about anyone else but I think that men can be SO hard to buy for. My husband never knows what he wants, my dad has everything he wants because he goes out and buys it, and men are just tough to buy for in general. So, when coming up with a holiday gift guide for men I decided to pick things that I would love to see on my man. So if I were to build a dream man these would be things that he would wear. Most likely my husband won't wear half of these BUT my second husband will be someone that likes these things ;)

Scarf / TOMS / Wayfarers / Wallet

Razor / Cologne

#Blogmas14: Gift Guide for Her

I like giving more than receiving but since I need to make a list of gifts for women this year I am going to use my list as a reference. There are a few things on this list that appear on mine and some other things that I have and love that I think other women would love as well.

TOMS Wedge / Kate Spade Earrings / Coffee Mug

Sugar Lip Treatment / AE Sweater / Viktor & Rolf BonBon / Hunter Boots

#Blogmas14 Day 2

Day 2 of #Blogmas14 is well underway and I am so in love with today's topic... Favorite Family Christmas Card. I was unable to pick just one so I chose two. Here they are, 2012 & 2013, of your viewing pleasure. My how my baby boy grows!!!

Mingle Monday- 11/17

This week's Mingle Monday question is: What is on your DIY project wishlist?

Here are the top 3 things on my list currently.

I love a good wreath (heavens knows I have like 30 in the basement) and this one makes my heart happy. Love the pom poms!

This is so rustic and classic. This is one that I would never get sick of or feel like it was out of style. If makes me think of snow and the woods and christmas <3

Every year I make a christmas tree ornament and give them to all our family. This is a contender this year, I think it is precious and I am burlap obsessed this year.

Toddler Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

This week is a busy one in the Daniel household. JD is actually in Germany for work although I think with Deutschland winning the World Cup there may be a bit of partying going on over there ;) I am getting ready for out of town family to come into town and for Foster's 3rd birthday party this coming weekend! Busy, happy, fun week! Today I am linking up with Ashley for Toddler Tuesday.

I thought that this tuesday I would share some of the things that I have been doing with Foster lately that he really loved. Toddlers are busy little people and like to be entertained all the time so these are some things that my ALMOST 3 year old (cue tears) has really been enjoying lately.

ANIMALS/BUGS/LIVING THINGS-

Foster loves to watch, touch, and learn about other living things. Animals fascinate him, bugs are SO COOL (yuck), he loves it all. On the 4th of July we were at y husband's cousin's house and they have chickens. Their chickens are super friendly and they are able to pick them up and they run around the property wherever they want until it is time to put them away for the night to keep them safe from foxes and other animals. Foster immediately had to ask all kinds of questions about them and hold one. So cute! 

My mother-in-law even froze a giant beetle for him and he held it, so gross!

 BOATING-

We took Foster on his first boat ride and he absolutely loved it. He loves trying new things and he was all about trying to help steer, touch the water, looking at the motor. He wanted to experience it all. My little engineer!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES-

Foster has been having an absolute blast at all the birthday parties that he has been attending lately. He loves playing with his friends and most of all he loves cake. It must be all the fun places that he gets to go for these parties that we normally do not go that makes them even more exciting! 

Last but definitely not least.....
SELFIES
yep, he is obsessed with taking selfies.

Things that make me SMILE!

I love when bloggers give us fun prompt to join in on and this one is super fun (in my humble opinion). Who doesnt love smiling?!

I decided to "fly by the seat of my pants" on this one and just list them as they come to mind, no need for planning it out. This list comes easy.

1. TOMS- They make me smile when I wear them, they make me smile when others wear them and they ESPECIALLY make me smile when little toddlers wear them!

  

2. Colorful sunglasses- they are just carefree and fun. My personal recommendation NECTAR sunglasses, super cute, so many options, and not expensive!

3. ICEEs and the Movie Theater- Come on, can you honestly say when you walk into the theater and see that ICEE machine you aren't giddy like a 5 year old?! Instant smile.

4. Puppies- obvious.

5. Kisses from Foster- They are just so sweet and bring a smile to my face every time!

6. A STARBUCKS drink while I'm at work- You read that right drug reps, keep 'em coming! ;)