Christmas Week "Wrap-Up"

It's been a busy, festive and sickly week here.  

On Friday, The Oldest came home!

Captured this precious moment, when Coop saw his Daddy!  So stinking Sweet!

We went to pick up the Littles and this is what we found...The Flu!

It was a rainy, yucky day, so we picked up Dad and headed to Family Pizza. (Note...this family is all about food, and we eat out A LOT...mama don't cook)

Saturday we were up early and Christmas Traditions started.  First stop the Ugly Christmas tree.  This year it did not disappoint.  If you look closely you will see the top of the tree is actually missing.

Next stop was Santa's Workshop!

Santa I've been good!

Our annual pose by the White House!

My least favorite tradition.

Maggiano's!

Merry Christmas!

Now we are off to Florida, Lax for dayz!

Bedroom Shuffle

Got great news this morning that David and Mandy were coming up for Christmas!  YAY!!!  Hence the bedroom shuffle started.

Before

Moving Beds,comforter and clothes around.

After

All clean and festive!

After all our hard work it was time for some rewards!  Five Guys...nom nom!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

 Santa has come to our home early, must be making up time to get to every one's home, All the presents are wrapped and ready to be opened!

Now I just need everyone to come home, cue the music...I'll be home for Christmas...

In other news, the girl got her hair cut, can't you tell....not.  

Weekend Wrap Up

We packed a lot into the last 3 days.  On Friday, we went to Bri Bri's very first HS Track Meet at EHS.  She excelled!  There were 9 high schools competing.  She came in 1st place for her school in both events.  4th Overall in the 55 Hurdles and 13th in the 55 meter dash!

Pictures are blurry, cause we were so excited we could barely hold up our phones and camera.  Hopefully the school got better pictures :-)

On Saturday, we drove to ODU to pick up Katie for the Christmas Break!

Sunday, we took "Whoop" boy back to school, had lunch with Princess Pudding Pop and went shopping in Old Town Alexandria.

Katie and Daddy

Anthro Window

Me and My Love!

Throw Back Thursday

I can't believe I was once one of those crazy dance moms we see on TV.  Well maybe I wasn't as bad :)  I sure did love seeing this Little Diva of mine shine on stage.  She was fearless!

Brianna "Indigo" 

 So this just happened...  This boy went from Pre-K3 til today with perfect attendance, that just got whooped out.  Yes, that's right, whooping cough, what the heck.  Fully vaccinated!  I guess that's just part of the perks of boarding school.

Still so handsome.

Studying for exams on Monday.  Not the best time to get sick.

Though not as fun to decorate for Christmas without the kids, I had fun putting up our family favorites.  I can't wait to have everyone home to enjoy the season.

Foyer Table

                                                                      

2014 Tree

                                                                     

Sofa Table

                                                                         

Cocoa Station

                                                                   

Baking Station

                                                               

Fireplace

                                                                   

Nativity Set I've had since I was a little girl.

Outdoor decor

Christmas Bucket List

I'm a little late on my Bucket List this month, but better late than never.

    Christmas Bucket List

1.  Go see lights at National Harbour

2.  Go Snow Tubing

3.  Go Ice Skating on the Lawn

4.  Go see the "Ugly Christmas Tree"

5.  Take a Family Picture

6.  Dress dogs and take group picture

7.  Go to Downtown Williamsburg

December Goals

Somehow, even though i've been an empty nester since Fall, it seems like my days have been as full as ever.  All the things I thought I would do, I don't seem to find the time.  In my December Goals, I hope to change that and do more of what I had planned.

1. Blog Daily (even if it's just a silly picture of my day).

2. Finish decorating, shopping, wrapping and all Christmas craziness
   before the kids come home from school, December 19.

3. Create a 2015 Calendar of Wish Lists.

4. Enjoy the Season and Complete our Christmas Bucket List.

Fall Bucket List

One of the things that worries me about being empty nesters, is the feeling of{now what????} To avoid this,David and I have decided to create a Seasonal Bucket Lists.  Our summer list, well that didn't go so well...not one thing crossed off.  With the beginning of Fall, we are determined to knock off this list.  

So...what did you do today?

The most annoying thing about being a stay at home, empty nester is.....so, what did you do today?  UGH!  That's the first thing everyone asks me.  Yes, I am an empty nester, but HELLO, I still have two kids in high school, mind you they are off to boarding school, but it's not like they are in a different country or even state.  They are 40 minutes north of me, so every opportunity I get to go see them {Thank you Jesus for sports} I'm there.  So I quickly turn from empty nester to...

#crazyFHparent

#crazyCCparent

Yep this is pretty much what we look like at every game/meet!

#crazyLAXparent

Who Says You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

A couple of months ago, I found a new blog that peaked my curiosity. It was about being a mom, cooking, fashion and decorating. I read it daily, and was linked to other blogs with similar topics. Before I knew it, I was following this group of friends. Something about their blogs felt familiar to me. I'm a mom, I love fashion, crafting and decorating but something was off...oh yeah, these friends, they are 20 somethings, just starting their "family" journey and I was just about to become an empty nester, who's turning 50...PROBLEM. Though I enjoyed their blogs, the nostalgia and realization that those days were behind me, left me a little blue. So I set off to find blogs that were more about where I am now in life. Two kids in college, two off to boarding school, about to turn 50...and nada, could not find any that were at all appealing to me. Then...