Getting a little festive

 This is one of my most favorite times of the year! I love driving around looking at decorations and going to friends houses to see their trees. I listen to Christmas music, drink hot cocoa, watch Christmas movies with my kids, and lay under the tree when it is all lit up! If it was up to me I would decorate every inch of my house, and every year I try to get closer to doing just that. Here are a few pictures of what is decorated so far! Happy Holidays!

Thrifty Decor Chick

So a while back my sweet cousin in law Sarah introduced me to this website. One click and I was hooked! I check it daily to see what new things the Thrifty Decor Chick has posted. She is amazing, she can take the ugliest things and turn them to gold. Her house is so very beautiful and she did it all for a cheap price. This is why I get along with her so well, I am cheap! Like really cheap, I would rather find a piece of furniture at the local Salvation Army and redo it to my liking then pay a ton of money at a big furniture store. Well not too long ago I saw her post about the Silhouette Craft Cutter........ the skies parted and I heard angels. This thing is amazing! You have to take a moment to check it out. You can make your own scrapbook pages, personal vinyl stickers, iron ons for shirts, and much more! So I am sharing the link for you all to win your very own Silhouette Craft Cutter. Just click the link below to learn more!

Thrifty Decor Chick

Veteran's Day Program

This morning I attended a Veteran's Day program at the elementary school. I love going to assemblies at the school. Watching the kids sing and have fun while putting on a show. This morning they honored Veteran's and Active Duty members by presenting them with an American Flag pin and singing an amazing song. I thought of my family members who have served or are serving. I thought of my dad and what it was like for him in Vietnam, I thought of my Uncle who received a Purple Heart, my brothers who are currently active duty, and mostly I thought of my amazing husband. My heart swells when I think about him, and how he has served his country so proudly. I think of all the times he has to leave, but even in that sad last embrace he puts on a brave face, even though I know his heart is breaking. I also think about my children who serve in their own way. They did not choose this life but handle it like little silent hero's. They do not ask for special recognition or treatment, instead they ask for extra hugs, and to email dad as often as possible. They keep their grades high, their rooms somewhat clean, and try to be the little men of the house. So this morning as I sat there watching and taking it all in, I was honored too. One teacher placed a pin on my shirt, gave me a hug, and said we give you this in honor of your husband and you! How amazing it is to a Proud Navy Wife!

To all the Veteran's and Active Duty members in the world, THANK YOU for everything you have done for me, my family and America. It does not go unnoticed in my heart. 

To anyone reading this blog, please remember if you see a Veteran or Active Member thank them. It does not have to be done on a special day, it can be done anytime. Don't forget what they have done, and also remember the families too.

Air Show

One of my favorite things about living near a military base is the Air Show that comes to town every year! I love walking around looking at the different displays and aircraft. Now if you have never been to an air show let me give you a quick run down. It is held on the flight line, there are numerous vendors, planes on display, American Flags everywhere, and then different planes have their time to put on a show in the air. You will see wing walkers, dog fights, F-18's, WW II planes, and much more. I get this huge surge of pride when the announcer is describing the plane that is flying, telling it's history, and what it was used for. Below are a few pictures that I took.

This is a group of young and old Air Force planes.

I loved this shot.

Fat Albert! He is a part of the Blue Angels Flight Team!

Diamond Formation

Amazing!

Beautiful

This is not zoomed in. That is how close we were. They are both upside down!

This is when they split.

Here they are flying as slow as possible by the crowd.

Taxiing in!

They all get out at the same time in a beautiful formation!

I love fall!

Pumpkins, apples, pies, soups, fall ball, family, and cool weather. Those are some of my favorite things about fall. I love the new candle scents, and all the great fall decor you can find at the local store.  Here are a few shots of my fall decor......

Does anyone know how to clone yourself??

One day I thought to myself, "Self, you do not have enough to do..... how can you make your calendar fuller?" Then one of the boys came in and begged to play fall ball. Of course we said yes because we love to see them try new things but we did not think that the other 2 would want to play too! Man we really need to start thinking things through around here!! So off we went to sign up #1 for fall ball, on the way #2 & #3 asked if they could play too. "Please, it sounds like fun..... oh please, oh please, oh please can we huh huh huh?" So of course we said yes........ WHAT WERE WE THINKING! Oh wait I know...... I was thinking my aunt had 3 boys and she survived, I can too. Besides my hubby is home how hard can it be? Man, I spoke too soon. At first the practices were great, we were able to split up and take the boys with no problems. Then came the actual season, with games at the same time. It's still OK cause the hubby can be at one field and I can be at the other. So far there have only been two games at one time. Then life throws a giant wrench at you and says HA HA HA! Now the hubby is out of town and we have games at the same time but at different ends of the park. Let me try to paint you a picture.....

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*                                    

*   Field 1                                                    Field 2

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*Field 3                                                       Field 4

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*    

*                          Concession     

*                              Stand

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*

*Field 5                                                       Field 6

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*                                                                                         T-Ball

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I know you must love my picture! So one child is at t-ball and one is at field 3. Now my picture is not to scale so if you have ever seen a little league field you know how big they are and also how there are fences, towers, people, and concession stands in the way.  I am very thankful that I have friends that I will call on to help but it would be much easier if I could just clone myself. I really hate missing their games and seeing their faces when they do well. I know that I will have to suck it up and remember that my sweet amazing husband misses so much so I can miss a few little things here and there........ sorry had to get my Kleenex. 

More overhaul!!

I am so grateful for my husband! I must say this because if it was not for him the yard would still look scary. I worked on it and realized that it was a huge job. I knew that I would need his assistance. Unfortunately he did it all himself! I got called away and could not help him work on the yard. He being the perfect man that he is took care of it himself, while watching the kids! Yes I know he is amazing and he is all mine! Here are some pictures. Once the flowers and bushes grow it will look even more fantastic.

Before... yikes!

After!!

P.S. Notice the new gutters in the pictures?? Yep he did that too!!!