It had been since Thanksgiving 2014 since we had been up to Baltimore. My mother's side of the family lives there and I grew up there until I was 12. I love going back to see my family and drive along the streets that bring back so many great memories.

most of my family (only missing a few!)

 We left for Baltimore the Sunday after Christmas and this was going to be our first big trip as a family of four (also Elena's first trip to Baltimore and first time meeting a lot of my extended family).

The car ride up was easy because Ty went up with my sister a day early to go to the National Aquarium, so we only had Elena with us.  After we arrived and checked in to our hotel, we headed to my grandmother's house-- the same house my mom and all her brothers and sisters grew up in.  This house has so much history with my family so I just LOVE to go visit.  It's especially awesome to watch my kids play in her basement because it's exactly what I did every Sunday after church when we lived there.

As soon as we got there my grandmother and grandfather had a huge spread of Filipino food, so we ate and relaxed with my aunts and uncles.  

The following morning, I met my oldest friend (we've been friends since the 3rd grade) for lunch at First Watch (LOVE THAT PLACE!).  It was so great to catch up with her.  In the meantime, Justin was holding down the fort with the kids at my grandmother's house.  That night my grandmother ordered bushels of blue crabs for my mom's birthday! This is one of my most favorite things to do... pick crabs and drink an ice cold beer around the kitchen table with my family.  This time did not disappoint! We were all stuffed by the end of the crab feast.

In lieu of everyone exchanging Christmas gifts this year, we did a white elephant gift exchange. It was so much fun to have the whole family stealing presents from each other and laughing at gifts that people brought. We had such a blast playing this game together!

Tuesday was my mom's and cousin's birthday. My uncle took us all bowling for Jenna's 10th birthday. It was Ty's first time at the bowling alley and he loved everything- from the shoes, to holding the bowling balls, to running around the arcade.  We had a great time.  Once we got back to my grandmother's, all the guys were outside around the grill getting everything ready for a big steak dinner.  It's also a Filipino tradition that you eat noodles on your birthday for long life, so my grandmother made pancit-- a Filipino noodle dish. Everything was delicious. 

With two kids, traveling and being around this much family was no small feat! It was such a blessing to have time with my whole family, but we were EXHAUSTED by the time we headed home on Wednesday! I anticipate that our next trip may be a little easier with the kids a bit older, but we shall see! The memories that they are making with the time that my extended family has with them make it all worth it!  

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Christmas cards are some of my most favorite things to give and receive. Here is this year's card... our first one as a family of FOUR!

I hope you all have a very blessed, merry Christmas with your loved ones.

FOR UNTO US, A CHILD IS BORN! HALLELUJAH!!!

Weekend Cheer!

This past weekend was filled with bits of Christmas cheer. I would say that the weekend before Christmas is always the busiest for us, but by far one of the most fun!

On Friday night Justin went out to see the new Star Wars movie with some friends, so I used that time to ice cupcakes and finish up my Christmas wrapping. Me, Friday night TV, a glass of red, and a pile of presents...not a bad Friday night if you ask me.

Saturday morning we had our annual Breakfast with Santa with Justin's side of the family. All 12 of us go for breakfast and then we all have our picture made with Santa.  With the kids getting older, breakfast is getting harder, but of course, more entertaining!

After breakfast I made my run to the grocery store to grab last minute items for the Christmas cocktail that we hosted on Saturday night.  Before we knew it, 6:00 rolled around and friends and family came over to eat, drink, and be merry (Christmas)! We had such a fun time catching up with everyone. It amazes me how much this party has changed over the years. I started having a cocktail where everyone could dress up when I was in college and now we have our kids playing and running around. My how times have changed, but WE LOVE IT!

On Sunday morning I had my second day teaching the two year old's at church. We read the Nativity Story and made angels for them to take to their parents for Christmas. They loved having something to give their parents for Christmas.

When I got home, Justin and I picked up a bit and then my family came over for our annual cookie baking day.  We each made cookies to share and they all turned out delicious!  We also watched the Panthers take home their 14th win for an undefeated season so far, and then watched some of our favorite Christmas movies. These times with family are priceless memories for the adults and kids alike! We are so blessed.

Here was the cookie line up:

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Biscotti
Christmas Crack

Caramel filled Snicker doodles
Black Bottoms

....and my mom made thumbprint cookies and kiffel at her house that we will indulge in on Christmas!

By the time everyone left on Sunday night, Justin and I barely made it to bed before we crashed, but every moment of the weekend was so worth it!

Now its only three days until Christmas!! It comes faster and faster every year! Merry merry, y'all!

Linked up here and here!

A Night on the Polar Express

Today my sister celebrates her 28th birthday! Happiest birthday to the girl I've known the longest! She's an incredible mother, loving wife, fun sister, dedicated cheer coach, and so much more. I am blessed to have her!  

Last night we went to Polar Express night at my SIL and BIL's club. We were so excited that they invited us to join them and my nephew since we never got tickets to one of the other local Polar Express nights. Ty is the perfect age for it and this might was such fun for him and Callan; and Elena didn't have a bad time either. ;) When we arrived, we picked up out train tickets at the Polar Express booth then headed to the dining room for dinner. So much yummy food. This was such a weeknight treat for us... No cooking and clean-up for me and a buffet of goodies to choose from!

When it was our turn for the train ride, we gathered the kids and headed to the boarding area where it was snowing. Ty and Callan LOVED the snow! Nothing like 70 degree weather and snow. Olaf would've been in heaven! 

The trains pulled up and we loaded in. Our ride to the North Pole included bridges, lanterns, and water, as well as views of the golf course. 

After we got back from the ride, the kids were able to see Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Unlike our Bass Pro visit, Ty walked right up to Santa and sat in his lap. Then he invited Elena to join him. 

When Santa asked what he wanted he told him, "a present." I asked him if he still wanted a guitar, which he's said from the start, but he replied, "No, I want a present."  Toddlers crack me up. 

We had an awesome time traveling on the Polar Express and seeing Santa. Only a week until Christmas!!   

Tis the season for crafternoons

We've been pretty busy with our crafting since the kiddos have been under the weather.  I've loved doing all of these with Ty this year and he is loving showing off all this work. At dinnertime, he will point to his new piece of art and tell Justin: "I made that!" So proud!

Cotton Ball Frosty

Something about cotton balls and a two year old. He loved putting the cotton balls on the paper. I barely had to tell him where the sticks, hat, eyes, and carrot nose went. He already knew!

Advent Wreath

I'm pretty sure that Ty's favorite part of this one was sticking the red holly balls on the wreath part. I loved teaching him what an advent wreath was and how we light to candles as we get closer to Christmas!

Salt Dough Ornaments

We've made these every year since Ty has been here. I love how simple they are to make and what a great keepsake they are. Ty loves putting his hand in his old ornaments to see how much he's grown!

2 cups Flour

1/2 cup Salt

1 tbsp Vegetable oil
3/4 warm water
Generally I've just added water until I get the consistency that I like.  Ty could spend hours playing with the salt dough. I let him go and then at the end we will make our ornaments.
I bake them at 200F for 4 hours. You can also let them air dry for days. Then I use acrylic paint to paint them and tie a bow on each to hang on the Christmas tree. I also like to add their name and age to the back.  Here is ours from last year:

Sun Catcher Christmas Tree

My friend Lori had us over to make these cute sun catchers (yes, ours is on the fridge, but you can put it on the window to see the sun through it).  We just cut green pieces of tissue paper and then had the kids arrange them on clear contact paper.  Once they were finished, we sealed the other side with another piece of contact paper and cut it in the shape of a Christmas tree. Ty's favorite part was decorating it with "ornaments". Lori got these cute foam stickers from Michael's.

Paper Towel Roll Christmas Tree

A fellow blogger, Alisha, posted this cute craft a few weeks ago and I knew that Ty would love it! I had to draw a triangle for the tree as a guide for him, but he loved stamping the green paint on the paper. Then I let him use glitter paint to decorate the tree once it dried.  We will use these as small Christmas gifts from him!

I have loved crafting with him for this season. Christmas and winter time provide for some of the cutest crafts!