Elf on the Shelf

This year I was almost giddy about doing Elf on the Shelf for Cole. I just knew he would really get it and enjoy finding the elf every morning. I went in search of fun ideas of how to introduce the Elf and came across some wonderful ideas on Pinterest. So I decided to make it an Elf breakfast and introduce our Elf Buddy to Cole. I explained that Buddy had brought snow covered donuts and hot chocolate with extra marshmallows for us to enjoy why we learned why Buddy was here and that he had come from the Northpole. Let's just say Cole was crazy excited...I'm mean all this sweet stuff for breakfast who wouldn't be!

 

Buddy also brought a gift from Santa ... a McQueen Ornament!

 

It's just another great tradition I'm excited to begin with Cole this Christmas season. One that's both fun for him and us. So now I just need to make sure Buddy is in a new place every morning. Sounds easy enough but I have already nearly forgotten twice in the first week. My expectations are low I will make it to Christmas.  

Our Christmas Tree

Every year right after Thanksgiving we head out to get our Christmas tree. We usually just go right down the street and grab a nice 8 foot Douglas Fir, but this year we switched it up. Last year by the time Christmas came our tree was pretty dried up, obviously pre-cut tree's have an expiration date and it had hit about a week before Christmas. fail. Of course we could just wait this year to get our tree to ensure it didn't happen again...but that wouldn't fly with Hubs. So this year we set our to cut down our Christmas tree, starting a new Shinaberry Christmas tradition.

So we headed over to the eastern shore to a cute little tree farm. I had found it online and after researching it we figured we found just the right place.

 

It really was an enjoyable ride over and we made our way out to the middle of nowhere and when we arrived we all were excited to pick out our tree.

 

After looking around we asked the tree farm owner where the Douglas Fir tree's were, and he explained to us that the Douglas Fir's were already cut down. Um mm what?!?! Yea so we drove 45 minutes to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our own tree and they were already cut down. He assured us they had just been cut down two days ago and that it would last through Christmas. All we could do was laugh. So we loaded our tree and figured all in all it was a fun experience even if we didn't get to cut down the tree ourselves. Though I would have really enjoyed watching Hubs put some work into cutting it down.  

So Very Thankful!

This thanksgiving went by so fast and it was fully packed with 2 turkey dinner meals to fill our tummy's. I didn't take many pictures and that's OK. If thanksgiving taught me anything this year...it's to be thankful for your loved ones. Hold them tight ...we take for granted the time we have to spend with them. Time can be so fleeting so remember to tell them how you feel and be grateful for now.

Hubs and me both had a few days off for this holiday so we were able to enjoy lots of time with family, hunting down our Christmas tree, shopping and introducing Elf on the Shelf to Cole.

It was a prefect laid back weekend that ended with one of the most amazing comebacks from the Baltimore Ravens. Ray Rice, 4th and 29...no worries he's got it! WOW!

Cole and his GG

 

GG and my Grandpa

 

This turkey is almost fully cooked

 

Dada reading to Cole

 

My dad set up a Little train set for Christmas and of course for Cole. Yea he loves it!

My love

  

Shrek on ICE!

Last weekend we went to the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor, they have been putting on Shrek on ICE for the past few years and we wanted to check it out. We tagged along with the Ervicks and the Geary families and the kids all seemed to really enjoy it. The blue parkas they provide everyone were really a hoot..they were a tad big on the boys but they didn't seem to mind. While I realized the ICE show meant it would be cold to keep the whole attraction (ice) cold I think I underestimated how cold it would be. 15 degrees is very cold, and this mama didn't even think to bring gloves! fail. Oh well it was fun to see and another great memory made with great friends.

 

The boys

 

Silly boys

 

 

Sweet Caroline

 

Inside the exhibit in there parkas

 

SHREK!

 

Big coat and little boy...ha ha  

Hello Third Trimester!

The last trimester is here! Wow, it's flying by and with the Holidays happening next week I have a feeling this last trimester is going to go by super fast.

Baby E's nursery is coming together but not as fast as I would like. I have picked just about everything out but none of it can come together till we have the crown molding and chair rail up. I'm starting to feel anxious about it ...in fact I have let it be known to the Hubs that i need it done within the next month or I will freak. Just a little warning. I don't want to be stressing about the nursery right before her arrival I will have enough to think about :).

 

How far along? 28 weeks and 1 day

Weight: +13.5 lbs, the boobs are starting to get uncomfortably big. I mean really its out of control. 

Stretch Marks? Not yet

Sleep? Our new mattress has been amazing, no sleep issues besides waking up to pee all the time.

Best moment this week: Picking out the art work for Emery's nursery.

Movement? Yes, tons! Not just jabs but I can feel full body turns..it's such a neat feeling.

Food Cravings: Grilled Cheese, thin mints

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Wine. Having a toddler requires a nice glass or two of wine some days.

What I am looking forward to: The Holidays and eating all the yummy food.  

Trick or Treat

Just some quick picks from Trick or Treat on Halloween. Yes I'm 2 weeks late but I was away all last week in Texas for work so this is as good as I can do! Anyway, Cole loved it. Kid couldn't believe that people were handing him candy, he was in the awww the first few houses then he wanted to make sure we went to as many doors as possible to get treats! He did great and said trick or treat and thank you, it was like watching my little boy become a big boy right in front of my eyes. It was so fun to watch the joy and the excitement of Halloween catch a hold of him and be able to experience it all with him. We promised him 3 treats when we got back to the house and homeboy kept us to our word. It took about two days for him to stop asking for treats. Oh and Hubs told me this is the last year he goes with a "cute" costume. Whatever that means...come on isn't he the cutest little tiger you have seen!

 

The kids before we hit the neighborhood

All done, time to eat some candy!