The clock is ticking, you guys. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Christmas will be here before we know it, and then 2016 will roll to a close. The next day, I’ll turn 42. What? That number certainly exemplifies how quickly time goes by! My husband would agree that even in the best of circumstances, I tend to get a little stressed this time of year. I know I’m not alone in this. I want to do it all and I want it to happen now, and I want it to be pretty darn close to perfect. Throw an almost-crawling, perpetually-teething baby into the mix and things are starting to feel a little hectic in this house. But I don’t want to miss the peaceful joy of the season, and I want to share the small, special moments of Christmas with John, Cholula, and especially Oden. Many of the reasons I love the holidays so much also add to the schedule and to-do list: the hub bub of family, friends, a full house, fun food, festive outings, etc. My goals this year (and every year) are to pause, remember what it’s all about, shed the stress as much as possible, enjoy the sparkling moments, and breathe. Join me, won’t you?
Take a peek at some of the happy moments in my life as the holiday season kicks off!
One of the last fall-ish hikes of the season.
“How big could her ‘big baby’ really be, anyway…?”
Every day.
Nothing like guests on the way to get art finally hung on the walls!
The sky has been magical lately.
Why, YES, there are two deviled eggs missing…
This is a thing. No, I did not make it.
He’s got me wrapped around his chubby little finger.
And so it begins! I did not have the proper footwear for a snow hike.
Pumpkin applesauce bread! Make it.
I spy a lazy dog.
Man overboard!
Date night. If there’s a burger on the menu, John’s going to order it!
Stacks of family recipes for Thanksgiving.
Apparently, I looked like I needed an extra espresso bean!
Just warming up the guest room for friends!
Oden’s got his CHEEKS to keep him warm!
Three out of four sleds were broken while our friends were in town! #commitment
Our friend, Lazuli, makes an incredible pumpkin pie! More on our second turkey day soon!
No sled, side of the road, rocks…BLISS!
Huckleberry explained his drawings perfectly.
Good hair day.
I’d give anything for this turkey sandwich right now.
Footsies in the morning!
A standard meal for Oden. He loves everything, including his veggies!
A yeti on a tractor!
A ton of snow and a heart on a backyard rock.
Monkey in my bed!
We eat a lot of cheese in this house, and Oden is on board!
I think it was about 8:15pm…
A tiny, snow-laden tree.
The holidays are no time for dieting.
Sharing.
Someone is starting to explore, mostly where he shouldn’t.
First time in the cart like a big boy!
The view from the porch on a winter’s morning.
THIGHS.
I made some tasty, potent rum balls for a Christmas party we went to!
I also made a batch of bourbon bacon jam. YUM.
An ego boost for Mama.
I had a little girls’ night out with a couple of friends!
This was the day he looked at me and said, “Mama.” Also, why does he look 3?!
Reflection.
A different kind of reflection.
Park City Nursery is so much fun at Christmastime!
We found our tree! More on that soon. His name is George.
Was he ever this small? I’d forgotten how serious he was a lot of the time. Now he can’t stop smiling!
One year ago, my little turkey was still in the oven in South Carolina.
Two years ago, we kicked off a 2-week coast-to-coast trip in Point Reyes, California.
Three years ago, again in Point Reyes, with some pretty serious ninja battles going on.
Four years ago, Cholula had just cleared the Thanksgiving appetizers off of the coffee table.
Five years ago, I was introduced to Big Survey Plantation for the first time.
Six years ago, Julie and I surprised Ali for her surprise 40th birthday celebration!
And yesterday, I took a moment for myself in the hot tub while Oden snoozed.
You know. Just the usual bliss.
One year ago: DIY Fizzy Lavender Bath Salts
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the usual bliss 
Love!!
He really is a big big baby boy ❤ And he certainly looks three!
He’s only 9 months old! Crazy!