I had a wonderfully snowy day! I spent the entire day in my warm and cozy home with my sweet husband! Blinds opened. Candles burning. House cleaned. It really was perfect. We are not usually very good at just staying home, and it was actually nice that nature MADE us stay in! We have about 15 inches of snow on the ground!!! The little things (like getting to spend the entire day in my pajamas, starting a new book, being trapped with my husband) made this day so great! We missed seeing our family today, but we are very glad that everyone is home and safe.

This year I really want to focus on enjoying every moment. I tend to stress out about small things, and I don't want to do that anymore. I want to relax and enjoy all of the excitement that this year has to offer. I am very good at filling my schedule with TONS of tasks and activities. This year I am hoping to focus on doing the things I really love. Read a great book. Take a nap. Go on a hike. Learn something new. I am going to make 2014 count with more snuggling with my sweet nephews and niece, spending time with my husband, and experiencing new things with our friends...and enjoying every minute of it! Enjoy 2014!

It is time to deck the halls, wrap the gifts, and let it snow! December is here, and we are in the Christmas spirit. This month is going to be the busiest of the year! There is shopping to be done, family to be seen, and lots of holiday activities to enjoy! I am so excited.



 November was a GREAT month! We celebrated the birthdays of some pretty special ladies, AND we welcomed my adorable nephew into the family! He is an absolute doll...I would seriously spend every hour of the day cuddling him if I could! Thanksgiving was busy, but amazing...as always! Plus we had our First Annual Deck the Halls Christmas Extravaganza...I will be posting about that very soon!

-Britt

Who is ready for the holidays?! This girl is! I am really in the holiday spirit, and have been putting together a list of fun activities that I want to do this year. I AM SO EXCITED!



 We are kicking off my list of holiday excitement with The First Annual Deck the Halls Christmas Extravaganza! Doesn't it sound exciting!? On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we are going to spend the whole day decking the halls walls (we don't have any halls in our house) and drinking hot chocolate. This is an idea that my cousin Val and I came up with, and the boys are pretty stinkin' excited about it (don't let them tell you otherwise)! We are going to start the day at our house! While Dane and Josh put up the outdoor lights, Val and I are going to decorate the inside and make lunch. Once we are done with our house, we will move on to theirs! Doesn't it sound awesome?! I imagine that the day will also include Elf playing on a loop! I will be sure to document this day, and share all of the fun details with you.

Can you tell that I am excited about Christmas decorations! I really don't like to put stuff up before Thanksgiving, but it takes a lot of self control to keep myself from doing it! I am glad that my neighbors are not followers of the rule...I am happy to just gaze out the windows at their lights! I am ready for the day that the whole neighborhood will be sparkling with Christmas lights. I am hoping that Dane and I can drive around town, look at the lights, and listen to Christmas music! Who wants to join us?

Can you imagine the ZOO decorated for Christmas?! I have wanted to go to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo for several years...this year I AM GOING! I am probably imagining it as something much more spectacular than it actually is, but I don't care. I love the zoo when it is 110º out...and I am sure I will love it just as much when it is only 30º and transformed into a winter wonderland!

All of my other free time will probably be spent with family...and shopping! What kind of awesome things do you have planned for the season?

Happy November!!! October was a great month! I am still all excited about all of the celebrations we got to partake in! Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries...oh my! We had so much fun spending time with our family and friends throughout the month.

I officially broke out my scarf collection. It is totally acceptable to wear scarfs everyday of the week, right? You can find my new favorite scarf here!

I also decided it was time to start buying a few Christmas decorations! I am obsessed with this garland from West Elm. I figured I could use the white garland all year round!

Speaking of decorations, it wouldn't have been October without some "spooky" chalkboards! Our house was covered!

 

Enough about October...lets move on to all of the excitement of November. I have been listening to Christmas music all week! I will be making a list of all of my favorite tunes very soon! I haven't gotten out any decorations (and I won't until after Thanksgiving), but I am very tempted to change all of my scents over to Christmas Cottage and Sparkling Spruce. November has already proven to be a fabulous month! Last weekend we celebrated a baby shower for my sweet nephew! He isn't here yet, but I already love him so much! There are also some big birthdays to celebrate this month, AND Thanksgiving! This is my favorite time of year! Do you have big plans for November?

Today is our anniversary! I don't know how it is possible that we have been married for TWO whole years, but it really has been a great two years! I can still remember anxiously waiting for him to pick me up for our first date...we were kids then! Now, over seven years later, here we are! It hasn't always been easy. There are times when we disagree, but at the end of each day we are thankful to have one another.





I am so lucky to have Dane. AND...I am certain that he is the only man who would put up with my crazy DIY ideas, my desire to cover everything we own in chalkboard paint, and my random dancing.

Two years down...forever to go! :)

 Photos by Kevin Zimarik Photography.

Wow, I cannot believe that I have turned another year older! Where does the time go?! I spent the weekend celebrating 25 with my friends and family. Celebrations kicked off on Thursday with birthday pancakes! (The pancakes were actually in celebration of my friends birthday!) What can I say...I like to celebrate!



Friday night I got to spend time with my sweet little niece, Kinleigh, and adorable nephews! I am a very lucky auntie!



 Saturday was a fun filled day with Lauren! We started the day with a trip to a local fall festival...imagine pumpkins, crafts, and the sweet smell of kettle corn! I left the festival with some yummy scents to burn around my house! Seriously...don't come over unless you like the smell of pumpkin!



 After the fall festival, we went to the Wooden Nickel Winery! We had a great time tasting different wines and chatting about life. We have both decided that 25 is going to be an awesome year!





 The rest of the day involved a DIY project, a photo shoot, an air hockey match, New Girl, and a slumber party!

Sunday, Dane and I went to church and then had lunch with his family. Later, we went and did some shooting, and had supper with my family. A whole day with my husband is my favorite way to celebrate! (Plus, Sunday was Dane's half birthday...another thing to celebrate!) If you want something to celebrate let me know...I search those out like it's my job!

Last night, we wrapped up the celebrating with supper at Buffalo Wild Wings and frozen yogurt! I basically had the best birthday ever...bring on 25!

Sorry it took me so long to get this post up! I have been busy, busy, busy enjoying my favorite month of the year! However, it is going to be hard for September to top August! What a great end to summer! There was vacation, a new (very adorable) nephew, news that we are going to have a niece, and lots of other wonderful reasons to celebrate! I got to spend lots of time with family and great friends, AND I did a little work on our house! (Adding curtains counts as work, right?)



What does September have in store? I have already had a pretty busy month, but the weeks to come are going to be great! I am looking forward to several senior sessions, a fun filled girls' night, lots of hot apple cider, and some birthday celebrations! I am feeling very blessed! I hope you all have a wonderful month.

My sweet, little blog just turned 2! I have had such a great time sharing DIY projects, favorite products, and many random thoughts with all of you! It is hard to believe that 2 years have passed. I cannot wait to see what fun posts I will be writing in the future! Happy Birthday, blog! Feel free to celebrate with some pancakes!



(These were actually Dane's birthday pancakes...I try to be a sweet wife!)

August is here!!! I am soooo excited about this month, and there are so many reasons why!!!

 I don't want to get ahead of myself...before I go on about how awesome August is going to be, I need to tell you all about July. We kicked off the month celebrating the 4th of July at the lake, I took a trip to Chicago with some pretty awesome ladies, and we enjoyed several family gatherings throughout the month! I also found out that my little brother and his girlfriend are going to be having a little boy! I am so happy for them! It will be fun to have a little one running around. SO many babies! :) Be still my baby loving heart!



 Okay, now about August! First of all, I get to celebrate the birthday of my lovely momma! I won't tell you how old she is going to be, but I will tell you that she is NOT two years older than my dad (even if he likes to think that)! This is the first year in a long time that I will actually get to see her on her birthday! She is usually off vacationing, and doing something awesome...LUCKY! This year they went on vacation early, so I think that a celebration will be in order...I better put striped straws and streamers on my shopping list!

 Also in August, I am going to be an aunt...again!!!!! I cannot wait to meet and snuggle baby L on August 28! I am counting down the days!

 PLUS...Dane and I are going on vacation! This trip has been on my mind and my bags have been packed for MONTHS! We are going on a house boat with 5 other couples, and basically it is going to be awesome! You can check out our houseboat here. I know, it is pretty awesome! ;)

Hope you have a great August!

I miss the days of long family road trips. Growing up and getting married means you don't always get to go along on the family vacations! (I am hoping that we get to sneak away on a few!) My family recently went to California for vacation. Luckily, I was able to live vicariously through my sister's instagram feed! It felt like she was teasing me I was with them! Anyway...I thought I would share some of the pictures from their adventure.











 Brooke got this cute shirt! I am not usually a fan of souvenir shirts, but I loved this one. Layton got one that said, "Keep Calm and Play Dead" (which is not actually recommended if you encounter a bear...wow, I learn a lot when they go on vacation!)

 They had a great time (even if they had to drive 50+ hours!), but we are glad to have them back! They even brought us back some yummy treats! Bear Poop, anyone?

-Britt