Category: Family

Christkindle German Market: Arlington, Texas

Last night we had so much fun going to a German Christmas Market here in Arlington, TX called Christkindle.  Terence’s Aunt Loyce and Uncle Garry let us tag along and we has such a great time with them.  I was born in Germany, so it was extra special to see all the German memorabilia around. 
 
Some day I would LOVE to go back and see where I was born and visit my heritage.  My maiden name “Altland” is a German name too 🙂 
 
And I’m wearing the super popular Piko shirt.  I loved how my friend Aly described it on Facebook….she cracks me up!  She said something like it’s a shirt you can wear to a buffet or fit a small child under while still looking stylish!  I love it, I want some more….it’s the softest cotton and so comfy!
Kiki La’Rue has them, they sell out fast! 
Also, TOBI has them right now for 40% off with code MERRY40
 Here are some pictures from Christkindle last night:
Watching my crepe being made
 YUMMY!!!!

 Love all the wood carved nativities and ornaments

 Can you spot Santa?  He’s sleeping in his chair through the window! Ha!  We caught you Santa!

 Connor enjoying his gingerbread man 🙂

It was getting dark, so some of the pictures didn’t turn out as good as I’d like…but here is our wonderful Aunt Loyce and Uncle Garry.

 Connor and the Nutcracker
 This is Aunt Loyce and Uncle Garry’s house….they go ALL OUT at Christmas!
I LOVE IT!

 Hope you all have a fun weekend!

We have a busy one ahead…..whew….

 

xoxo Becky

Connor’s New Big Boy Bed

I think he likes it.  Or at least jumping on it.  Which we are trying to put a halt on that one!
We got it from Pottery Barn Kids.  It was on sale and free shipping over Thanksgiving weekend. 
I also won a $500 Pottery Barn Kids gift card from a Facebook Halloween Costume Contest!!!!
I was in total shock and so excited!!!!
Alas, we bought the bed.  Now we have this gift card.  I could totally spend it no problem….but if you’d like it we are trying to sell it for $450 to re-coup at least what we spent on the bed.  It’s also good at Pottery Barn & Williams Sonoma.  If you’d like to enquire email me at beckylbranch@gmail.com
Here are a few pictures of my big boy in his big bed 🙂

 He did really well sleeping in it!

 

Hope that continues…..

 

Also- Cheryl is hosting Elf on the Shelf link up for our Jingle Bell Rock Blog Hop! 

 

So head on over to her blog and enter to win some fab prizes!

 

Santa Visit 2012 {Santa Pictures Link Up}

Connor did so good when we saw Santa last night!  He walked up really slowly to see him and then gave him a hug.  The only thing he asked for was candy! ha ha!  Kid has a serious sweet tooth like his Mama.

I really hyped up going before we went and told him how fun it was and that Santa gives presents and candy and so he was excited before we got there….just try to hype your kiddos up before the visit so they won’t be so scared 🙂  (Also a pixie stick doesn’t hurt either) ha! Just kidding…kinda……

My boy is growing up way too fast!!!
My heart.  Thank you God for this child.  I am so blessed to be his Mama.

Someone needs to do a Santa pictures Link Up…anyone…anyone???
I love to see everyone’s Santa pictures and especially the crying and hysterical ones!
Okay I’m starting a link up!
ENTER YOUR SANTA PICTURES BELOW:
(Can’t wait to see all your kiddos!)

Christmas Tree 2012

 

Yay!

 

The Christmas tree is up and I think our little elf loves it!

 

I was nervous about using the decorating mesh..but it was super easy to work with.

 

I’m glad we changed the tree up this year and went with more traditional colors of red and green.

 He’s wearing his penguin hat….silly boy!
 He also asks to build a fire every night. 
He loves helping his Daddy build fires.
 I got this little jar for $1.59 at World Market and I love it!
I had all these “extra” sprinkles laying around the house and I just dumped them all in and it saves storage room in my pantry.

I also found this Peppermint Piggy Dust.  I’m just dying to use it on a cup of hot cocoa or sprinkle it on cupcakes.

Another Christmas-y item I’m excited to use are these felt ribbons.  Aren’t they so cute?  I just love the rounded edges 🙂

What are you excited for this Christmas season?

Fall Happenings and Such

This past weekend I went a little fall crazy.  I bought some things at HomeGoods for amazing prices 🙂
Including the little sticks there and the candy bowl sign.  I also love the glitter pumpkin!
The printable is from Pinterest-you can find those by searching “Fall Subway Art”.
Amber was my partner in crime.  Let me tell you shopping with 3 kiddos is crazy town!
We had a fun day though!
Of course we started off with some coffee crack and we were good to go!!!
Woohoo!
Love you Amber!!!!
My boo boo!
The blanket must go everywhere!
I mean EVERYWHERE.
Loving my sweet cinnamon pumpkin candle
Even if it doesn’t feel like fall outside yet-at least it does in my kitchen!
This train set was the best investment ever.  He has so much fun playing with it….and destroying it.  Regardless, we’ve had hours of fun playing trains.
Hope you all have a blessed day!!!!
CHECK THESE OUT:
I am dying over the cute Halloween/Fall goodies on Zulily today!
Also Living Social is having a FABULOUS deal today for Starbucks!!!! Aaaaahhh!!!!
Pay $5 for $10 in Starbucks voucher!!!!
Just in time for pumpkin spice latte season!

Things That Make You Go ???

  • Connor said he feet hurt the other day.  After he told me for the third time I finally looked down and noticed I put his shoes on the wrong feet???

  • Terence taking us out on a family hike today in 100+ degree temps.  I literally had to crawl back to the car.  I thought I was going TO.DIE.

  • Braum’s new nacho cheeseburger.  Ewe.

  • There was a kid on our hiking trip with jeans and a jacket on…how in the world is he alive???

  • Connor won’t say hi to our friends and family when we ask him to, but he will say hi to every random stranger on the street or in a store.  Including the homeless man on the street corner smoking a cig.

  • You know it’s time for a haircut when someone tells you how beautiful SHE is….meaning your son.

  • I was so bored this weekend I watched Real Housewives of New Jersey.  Now I feel 95% more stupid.  Why are the Manzo’s trying to market black water??? Weird.
Anyway….I don’t wanna go back to work tomorrow Mama!!!!! Waaaaahhhhh!!!!
 
We’ve been having a blast just chilling this weekend as a fam.  I love my boys 🙂

Bible Songs to Sing with your Kids

My sister in law is awesome.  She’s started a great pre-school program with Connor and my niece Ellie.  She’s got a gift with children and we are so blessed to have her and the rest of the fam as influences in Connor’s life.
She found some songs that are easy and simple to sing if you have kids around Connor’s age.
Connor loves them.  We sing songs on the way to work every morning 🙂
Song: Do You Know Who Made The World?
(Tune: Do You Know The Muffin Man?)
Do you know who made the day (night, sky, water),

Made the day (night, sky, water), made the day (night, sky, water),

Do you know who made the day (night, sky, water)?

It was God who made the day (night, sky, water).

Verse Song
(Tune: Are You Sleeping?)
In the beginning, (2x)

God created (2x)

The heavens and the earth. (2x)

Genesis 1:1 (2x)

 Song: Seven Days of Creation

(Tune: Doe, A Deer)
One: the light from dark was made,

Two: the clouds and waters part,

Three: the sea, the land and plants,

Four: the sun, the moon, the stars,

Five: the fish and the birds,

Six: the animals and the man,

Seven: God rested, all was good:

His creation and His plan!

We also found the neighborhood cat the other night on a walk around the neighborhood. 
Connor loved it! Ha ha!  He kept saying “meow” “meow”
I guess he was trying to speak cat to the cat 🙂
Hope you all are having a great week!