And so the Thanksgiving festivities continued...
Friday morning was a gorgeous morning for a photo session. I met a beautiful family at the local park and had a blast taking pictures of them. Emilie, the little girl is a natural. She needs to be a model.:)

When I got home Justin was busy getting the Christmas lights ready to hang outside. This year he wants to do even more now that Ty is older. On Friday he came home with a Star Shower Laser Light that he wants to shine on top of the icicle lights on the house and lights on the bushes. With all this, he didn't finish putting them up before we had to leave for Thanksgiving #2 at Frank and Erin's house.
We had such an awesome time having dinner with them and Erin's mom.  It's the first time we've had the Soukup Thanksgiving and everything was delicious.  After dinner the boys had a blast having flashlight fights in the dark living room with the monster (Uncle Frank).  These are the memories that I am so happy my kids will have with their cousins.

Elena's homemade turkey bow

On Saturday we woke up with intentions of going to Justin's parents' house, but Ty and Elena are battling the ends of a cold and we did not want to pass anything to the rest of the family. We continued our decorating in our house.

i couldn't resist a pic of E with this cute hat on while we decorated!

I just had to finish putting out the Christmas village. I started doing a village because my father in law passed down some of the houses and we wanted to continue his tradition. Also, I thought it would be fun for our kids to see tiny houses on the ledge every time they come down the stairs. Ty loves it. Every morning he says, "Look!! Mommy!!"

On Sunday afternoon, I had a photo session at a local historical park. Justin brought the kids to hike around while I worked. It was the coolest spot-- a small hidden gem in Raleigh with a waterfall and beautiful landscape.  I LOVED shooting pictures there and the kids loved playing. It was a nice break from all the Christmas decorating that we'd been doing ALL weekend.

I cannot believe this little Thanksgiving vacation is over. It's such a quick tease before Christmas vacation, but definitely one that we needed and appreciated. Only a few more weeks until Santa comes down the chimney and Jesus is born! Now if I can just get my Christmas cards addressed...

Friday Favorites: thankful

I hope that everyone had a very food and family-filled Thanksgiving. Ours technically isn't over yet, since we still have two days to go with the Schneider side of the family, but my side had such a wonderful day yesterday. Before I share my favorites from yesterday, I wanted to share what I'm thankful for this year.

2015 was the year my baby girl was born. I am so grateful for my happy, healthy, spunky, little Elena this year. I am thankful that she doesn't hold back and jumps right into the action. I am thankful that she lets me put hats and bows in her hair, and I am thankful that she is smiling 95% of the time.

I am thankful for the big brother Ty is to her. I remember feeling so guilty about have another child and him not being the only one anymore, but he has embraced being a loving, big brother. I am thankful that I get to watch him greet her every morning "Good morning, sweetheart" and kiss her after prayers every night.

I am thankful for my supportive husband. This is a man that truly puts the needs of me and the kids before his own. This is a man that works overtime to provide for us. This is a man that is completely hands-on with our kids and our household. He is the one that makes my dreams come true everyday and I am immensely grateful that God gave him to me.

I am thankful for my sweet buddy boy. My pup has been with my the longest out of the Schneider bunch and he has seen it all. Through all his health issues he is still happy and loyal and wanting a kiss. I am thankful for each day I have with him. The house is so full of life because of our Holden.

I am thankful for my friends and family that are so encouraging of me and my dreams. This year, more than ever, with all the aspirations I have, I have seen how I need their encouragement and support, and they have all gone above and beyond to make me feel that I am invincible and can accomplish anything. THANK YOU ALL. You know who you are.

I am extremely thankful for my parents (in-laws included) and grandparents this year. Each year that I get older, I appreciate having them around even more. There is wisdom and experience that they can share with me and my family. I am blessed to still have them all and I try my best to not take that for granted.

With all the crazy things happening around the world, I am thankful that I live in a safe place and a country that I can live free. It's a blessing that I was born here in the USA and that I am able to raise my children in a place that is protected by so many individuals whose bravery exceeds my own.

What a year to be thankful!

On to Thanksgiving festivities...

annual sister pic

all the girlies

Elena with two of her beautiful Ninangs

the guys

me and my sweet girl

 We deep-fried the turkey like we do every year! 20 pounds of delicious, fried YUM!

carving the bird

These are some of the sides before we demolished them.

 

My dad always carves the turkey with a grin from ear to ear. I think it's one of his most favorite jobs. Clark W. Griswold

"this is the best one yet"

so glad these two joined us this year.

the Dudek clan

knee deep in cider sangria

our table is so big, my parents had to rearrange the living room

turkey pickin

i love these two

grateful for these looney tunes

The holidays have officially begun. And I LOVE IT.

Linked up with Andrea, Narci, and Erika today:

Friday Favorites

I cannot believe that this is the last Friday before Thanksgiving 2015! This year has flown by! I remember this time last year I was getting pretty pregnant and prepping to host our first Thanksgiving in our house.

This year, less belly, more babies... I am ready! My mom asked me to make the Bloody Mary's for Thanksgiving Day and I can actually enjoy them this year...yippy!

This Friday is bittersweet as I list my first favorite.

My most favorite location... Holden Beach, NC. This is the house my family has had for almost ten years. Recently, my parents decided that it was best to close the chapter on owning a vacation home and let the next family enjoy it, so they sold it and close at the beginning of December. More about this place later, but some of my most favorite memories are in the house. It dates back to when Justin and I were just dating. Sweet memories.

This is a little known memory made possible by the one and only Justin. 

For my birthday a few years ago we went down to the beach with a few friends to celebrate. Justin had something up his sleeve for my birthday that completely surprised me to the point of  being speechless.  He knew it was a dream of mine (and still is) to take the our family to Disney World.  Disney holds a special place in my heart because I was a cast member when I was in college.  It's truly the most magical place on Earth! 

Well, he wanted to make my dream come true by "bringing Disney to me". He got all three of us (Ty, himself, and me) Aladdin costumes and a "magic" carpet that he has a picnic lunch on.  He dressed himself and Ty up and then showed me my outfit and told me we were going to dress up and have lunch on the beach.  I. WAS. SHOCKED. A little embarrassed (as our friends were there), a little flattered, a little of everything. I convinced him that we would have our picnic lunch on the balcony. Looking back on that day, I have the best memories and always giggle to myself that he came up with this idea.  He keeps me on my toes and does his very best to make all my wishes come true. I love my Aladdin. :)

Crab feasts. My fave. I grew up in Baltimore and have a million memories of my whole family gathering around the newspaper-covered table with a steaming pile of Old Bay-covered blue crabs in the center of the table.  As I got older, add a cold brew to that picture and it's perfection. I am stoked to be going to Maryland this holiday to visit family and am so looking forward to picking crabs with loved ones! My mouth is watering now...

I am in love with this cute outfit that Elena wore to the pumpkin patch this year.  We borrowed the pumpkin tunic from our friends and I paired it with some skinny jeans and these stylish leather boots.  I cannot get enough of babies in boots.  To top it off, I made this (Pinterest-inspired) pumpkin bow with my friend, Lori, Wait until you see the one we made for Thanksgiving...eek!

Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.

With the cooler weather here and colder weather just around the corner, I am so excited about this FAVORITE of mine. My BFF got this matching Daddy-son beard set for Justin and Ty on Ty's first Christmas.  Not only is it the cutest thing EVER, it keeps his face super warm. I am looking forward to seeing one of Elena's buddies wear it this year! 

This was such a fun Friday Favorites for me! Only 6 days til Thanksgiving! I hope you got your turkeys!

I'm also linking up here: