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!  

New Year in the Mountains

It's been weeks since I've had this me time to catch up on the blog and IT FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK!  We had the craziest holiday this year as we traveled all over for Christmas and New Years. When we got home from our trip to the NC Mountains to celebrate 2016 with friends, and it sure does felt good to be home and I took last week to get our kids and life back into some sort of routine! Traveling with two kiddos under two really is no vacation, but the memories we are making with them are worth the hours in the car with Curious George DVD's, fast food bags, crumbs in every crevice of both car seats, and turning around every 3 minutes to adjust someone.

Justin and I have been going to the mountains for New Years Eve for 5 years now.  On our first trip to stay in a cabin with some friends, Justin had planned to take me to the Biltmore Estate to tour the Christmas lights, do a wine tasting, have dinner, and- my most favorite part- PROPOSE! Needless to say, it's a very special tradition for us. I am 100% a beach bum, but there is something we just love about the mountains in the winter.  I love driving up the windy roads at a massive incline to a cabin with an amazing view and a porch with chairs for rocking. The cool air and a fire pit make it feel like New Years Eve to me. 

When we had kids, we decided to take a break to get our bearings, but this year we couldn't resist the chance to get up there for NYE.  I am so glad we did because Ty LOVED it! We got there just in time to make it to the cabin before the sun set on NYE.  We decided to venture out once for lunch on New Years Day. We went to Lake Lure, which is a beautiful lake in the middle of the mountains. Other than that adventure out, we stayed at the cabin and played games, watched movies, enjoyed fire pits and s'mores, and sat on the porch soaking in the gorgeous mountain view.  How I wish I could be back there now. There's no place like home, but the mountains aren't a bad place to visit!

the three kiddos

our home for the weekend

building a fire with Daddy

hammock swinging

all set for s'mores!

toddler smiles crack me up

our set up for the weekend

loving the s'mores he made

i love this sticky marshmallow face

the view from the cabin porch

I hope everyone has a very happy Monday! Looks like snow might visit us this week! I hope we get a snow day or two! 

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!