Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

On December 14, 11 days before Christmas - there was another unimaginable tragedy - a school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.  20 children, 6 adults, and the shooter's mother were all killed.  Horrific.  Anywho, let's not get bogged down in the sadness.  I heard on the news that the CT PTSA asked for paper snowflakes to decorate the new school as a winter wonderland.  That is such a fun and easy thing to bring smiles to children's faces and can warm your heart!  So the next day, the last day of work before break, I gathered the few coworkers who were around and we all made snowflakes!  I sent them yesterday, and I truly hope they will be mesmerized by a winter wonderland :)

<3

I will continue to pray for all of those affected - from the victims' families to the first responders, I know from personal experience this is a life-long struggle.  The only thing we can do is continue to make a difference. 

Christmas Crafts

I did lots of crafting for Christmas this year because a) I think it's more personal and b) I can make exactly what I have in mind and c) it's generally cheaper (hey, it's a bad economy!).  Here are some of the things I have worked on :)

Abby's First Christmas ornament

The other half

Ellen is the daughter of a sweet friend of mine - she had the same ornament except initials instead of a tree!

The Fails Family - family tree - I just love this

The Staley Family - family tree - HUGE hit!

Nativity ornament

Nativity ornament - other side

I also made Daniel's mom a wine bottle with Christmas lights, I just need to get a picture of that to show you :)

Merry Christmas!

We had an absolutely amazing Christmas!  We spent the weekend finishing up gifts, napped a lot, and just hung out.  Pretty low key :)
Christmas Adam (yep, remember Adam came before Eve!) is our "engagement anniversary".  That's right - Daniel dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him.  The day we were engaged, Daniel had made dinner reservations at Bonefish Grill - neither of us had been there, but it was the most delicious & enjoyable meal ever.  Each year since, we have gone back to have a Christmas date on Christmas Adam!  This year was no exception - we had a fabulous meal and found an awesome neighborhood nearby with awesome lights!  We'll have to remember to go back!

first time making Dog Food - addicting!

Annabeth & Ashley came over to decorate a gingerbread house.  Well, Annabeth was the main decorator ;)

I know the picture doesn't do this justice, but these lights were incredible!  The trees were FILLED with lights!  Amazing

I baked an awesome Christmas Eve breakfast - Cinnamon Roll Casserole - to die for!  What is it, you ask?  Basically it's just cinnamon rolls baked in a big casserole with icing on top!  We went to church with Daniel's family, went to my parent's for dinner & gifts with my Granma.  Busy, but fun!  So glad we get to spend time with my Granma :)

Reindeer cookies - soooo cute and super easy!

Daniel woke up bright and early on Christmas day - he said he was just too excited about giving me my gifts, haha!  He was amazing and gave me fun gifts, but the biggest surprise was not one, but four Coach items!  We went to his parent's house and I had another surprise (with help from Robin) - $100 to go shopping!  He says he doesn't trust himself to buy me clothes, so he's sending me shopping to pick out exactly what I want - how sweet!  After that, we went to his grandparent's for lunch and lots of laughs.  When we were finished there, we continued our journey to my parent's for gifts and dinner.  I had another surprise there - a new Dyson vaccuum!  Isn't he incredible?  He went waaaay over budget, and told me it was because I deserve it.  How did I pick such an amazing person?  I am so in love with him, and though I'm happy to just be with him, he made my Christmas extra-extra-special.  His thoughtfulness is just too much, and I am so very appreciative of him!
It was also so much fun to be around Abby for her very first Christmas!  Although she cannot unwrap gifts and has no clue what's going on, we love to spend time with her and love her giggles!

I hope everyone had a great day filled with fun, family, and memories!

...I forgot the thing I need to upload pics, so I'll add more tomorrow!

....and I'm back - here are some pics!

Abby Cadabby shoes!

Abby in her new red wagon

Pretty momma and abby

Happy girl!

love, love, love my husband!

December update

A few weeks went by and I didn't update because, well, we are boring and there wasn't much to update - then BAM! lots of fun stuff happening!  So here's the skinny:

Our dear Wanda Bear turned FIFTY on December 18th (Happy Birthday Sweet Wanda!) - but in preparation for the big day, Robin has been planning a surprise party all year!  We planned for months and partied on December 1st.  I am SO glad to say that she was suprised!  If you don't know Wanda, let me fill you in - she knows everything that is going on.  It is near-impossible to get anything past her.  Well, Robin did the impossible and pulled off the surprise!  What a fun, fun evening celebrating a pretty fantastic lady!  I don't have many pictures, so here is all i have-



Annabeth helping to ice lots and lots of mini cupcakes and brownie bites




Robin making the country club BEAUITFUL with pom poms!

Fifty & Fabulous cake

Cute mini cupcakes with pom-pom toppers

Dessert table set-up

The next weekend was my birthday :)  I took Friday off for a long weekend, and admist a pending sinus infection, we ran lots of christmas errands, made Christmas crafts (can't wait to show you!), and wrapped Christmas gifts!  Even better - we were treated with a special visit from Abby, and we were able to watch her for the afternoon :)

Abby loved the Rudolphs on the back of my socks

Sweet thing

Watching Home Alone

Oh - and to top it off - my BEST FRIEND GOT ENGAGED!!!  That's right - Ben & Robin are officially tying the knot!  I couldn't be more excited for two incredible people.  I am looking forward to the fun year to come!  xoxo

BEAUTIFUL!

My grandma gave me extra pieces to my Elfa organizer from The Container Store - woo hoo!  We all know that storage space is a hot commodity around our house, so I have to make space where I can.  I love it!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new organizers!

Speaking of birthday gifts - you know, there isn't a whole lot of "stuff" I need/want.  And, quite frankly, I don't want for someone to give me a gift just for the sake of giving a gift.  So, I asked my dear husband for a trip away in lieu of a gift.  We found a great Living Social deal for a resort in VA Beach.  For $80, we got a suite and a $25 spa credit.  The resort had wonderful reviews, so we went for it!  We went last weekend, on Friday, and I am so glad we did.  We arrived to the beautiful resort, and walked into our room which had the fireplace going for us!  How neat is that.  I used my spa credit for the Chocolate Peppermint Pedi, which was oh-so relaxing, while drinking a Starbucks treat.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner on the beach, and drove on the Boardwalk to see their Christmas lights!  The resort is beautifully decorated - we walked around and enjoyed their outdoor firepits.  On our way back on Saturday, we stopped by the outlets which was a madhouse, and all-in-all had an incredible time!  Much needed romantic getaway!

Daniel & Myself in front of the beautifully decorated fireplace

YUM!  Best ever bloody mary

crab - perfect for the beach!

Santa surfing

my handsome husband hanging out near the fire pit

isn't this place gorgeous?

xoxo

And THIS is what I got to wake up to!  how relaxing!

 

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas

...It's no surprise that I LOVE Christmas!  On top of loving to decorate for all seasons, Christmas is my favorite.  Last weekend, I finished everything except for our tree - which we will pick out and decorate this weekend! 

Love this little guy in our bedroom <3

Love the black tree in the craft room!  Perfect back-drop for all of the crafting that's happened lately



The Christmas mantle!  This year I put my beautiful Christmas village on the mantle and instead of stocking hangers, we did cup-hooks - I'm in love!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2k12

Yesterday was such an amazing Thanksgiving!  As Josh Groban sings, "There's so much to be Thankful for"


On Wendesday night, instead of Annabeth & Ashley coming over for our traditional baking session, we just ordered pizza, shared Brewsters and watched a movie.  Fortunately, there wasn't too much I had to make and prepare for the two meals we were attending the next day.  It was so nice & relaxing :)

I had extremely high hopes of sleeping in on Thursday, but my body decided 6:30 was a perfect time to be awake.  Ugh.  Anywho, I took advantage of the time by myself allowing Daniel to sleep, and I worked out.  I have never exercised the day of Thanksgiving, and I'm glad I did.  It made the massive amounts of food on my plate seem not so bad!  We had Daniel's family at Grandma Stella & Buddy's at 1pm and my sister hosted my family at 5pm.  We all really enjoyed spending time with our families, and most important - we have a new addition to Thanksgiving this year!  This was Abby's first Thanksgiving, and we just love our little turkey.  She has brought so much joy into our family, and we are so thankful for that.  Here are just a few little memories of our day, and obviously they all include our little Abby Cadabby:



Gobble, gobble



Abby enjoying her first Thanksgiving dinner

 

Thanksgiving is a day that everyone sits back and really evaluates the blessings in their lives - this year is no different.  This past year has brought so many new situations to us - an incredible niece, the loss of a job & starting a new one, working hard together to make our house a home, and making our marriage the absolute best it can be to prepare for now and the future.  We have a home, health, great families, jobs that provide, and so much love.  I hope this spirit of Thanksgiving carries throughout the year.

Daniel went out Black Friday shopping late last night.  I woke up this morning to this-

A very long, very sweet "Happy Thanksgiving & I Love You" letter with a set of 10 Honora pearl bracelets!

I have been eyeing these pearls by Honora for years - ever since we gave it to Annabeth as a HS graduation gift.  I noticed they were on a huge Black Friday deal at Kohls for less than half the price at Fink's.  Now, I'm sure they quality is much less, but beautiful nonetheless.  Daniel went out before midnight to stand in line (#1 at Kohls) to get me a "you're beautiful" gift.

Right now we love listening to the new Matchbox 20 album.  And to quote "I'm gonna be there always" - that's how I feel right now.  No matter what happens - good or bad - we are going to be there for each other always.  It may not always be easy, or pretty, or fun - but we have each other and that's what counts.  We have come a long way in the eight and a half years we've been together, and we both know this will last forever. 

Thank you to my amazing husband - not only for this act of love that means so much, but for being there and for loving me all the time and constantly challenging me to be a better person.  I'm so in love with you, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what's in store for us!  PS

A Very Thanksgiving Weekend

Wow, what a fabulous weekend! 
On Friday - Daniel and I went out to dinner with our neighbors to Howlett's.  The plans were very last minute, and we were able to purchase a Groupon last minute, and we really enjoyed ourselves.  The food was good - the company was even better.

Now onto Saturday - our Chesterfest 2012 Friendsgiving.  The good food-even better company continued.  I spent the morning cooking/prepping, the afternoon watching Hokie football, and about 4pm everyone started arriving.  We had a total of 16 1/2 (Abby was the half!) - and it was so much fun.  I'm looking forward to this being an annual tradition.  After dinner, Daniel got busy with the firepit - and we enjoyed S'mores and lots of laughs!

Sunday was the Trevillian Thanksgiving at my parents house.  It's the first Thanksgiving we've had since my grandma passed away, so we had to do things a little bit different.  My parents offered to host Thanksgiving, which means Kelly & I are volunteered to help.  I think that's the best part - spending time with family and helping to host a fun meal.  There were lots of little feet running and crawling around, and it's amazing how that family just grows and grows.  33 Trevillians in attendance total - my mom surely was exhausted!  Daniel & I finished off our amazing weekend with the perfect night - Dexter & snacks in bed.  I woke up this morning feeling blessed beyond measure - and Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived!

P.S. on a fun note - Abby's latest trick is to bark like a dog.  Isn't that just the cutest!?  I'm sure it gets old for Kelly & Derek, but I really enjoy it haha :)

Kitchen Backsplash

So back a few months ago when we had to paint out living room & kitchen (because they are one big room), I had ambitions of doing a backsplash. You see, the crazy previous owners did really strange things, but had good intentions (I think?). For instance, they installed beadsboard in the breakfast nook and around the kitchen sink/bar area. It looks good. The bad? They installed the same beadsboard behind the counters and stove as a "backsplash". I mean really, who does that? It is so strange. Anywho, I decided it would look much better as a tiled backsplash. We purchased about 12-15 12x12 pre-patterned tiled squares. With the help of my family, we finally picked one we liked! Now fast forward a few months - I decided we need to get this done. Daniel informed me he didn't want to have anything to do with this project because the other beadsboard "looks perfectly fine". So, I called my ever-so-faithful Momma, and she agreed to jump right in and help! She looked up "how-to's" and printed out instructions, and we took a deep breath.

Before

About to start! We had to say a few prayers first

working hard "icing the cake"

look at that! we did it! tile is up - before grout

So we are at the point where the tile is up on the wall, and it needs to cure at least 24 hours before we grout. My mom is coming back with her work clothes on in the morning, so we can tackle the last step of the project. It looks so much better, and I'm so proud of where we've gotten. Can't wait to show you the finished product!

..... and here is the finished product folks

love, love, love!

What an improvement, right? And here's some even better news - the total cost!
$35 - tiles PLUS
$72 - supplies EQUALS
$107 - can you believe that!? This gorgeous transformation was a measley $100. Woop woop!

Happy Birthday Banner

I just love my Silhouette.  I love all of the fun things I can make with it.  I also love when others ask me to make them something - and how both of our ideas can make something so gorgeous.  Here is the latest banner I did for Kendall at work - her daughter, Chandler, turned one!

Happy Birthday Chandler - pretty in pink

"I'm One!"

 And what was the best part of the whole banner???

The best glue-dot helper ever!  Thanks, Daniel! xoxo [yep, this is a first]