Party #96402

Okay, maybe not...but, my gracious, it feels like I have gone to so many get-togethers and parties lately! I love going to all the parties, but they wear me out! It seems like my social calendar is packed during the holidays and then completely dies out during the rest of the year!

One of our very close family friends has the big 50th birthday this month, so a bunch of us decided to throw him a surprise party. Do you know how many lies it takes to successfully pull off a surprise party?!

I painted a canvas for the guestbook- similar to one I painted for a friend's shower.

Ya'll know how much I love to host things...
and I wasn't really the host but I got to help decorate and set out the stuff.

There was so much good food!

Jeff was really surprised!!

And this little Stud definitely enjoyed the party too!

And Stud #1 was loving that his friend was at the party too

And JP wasn't so sure about the whole thing...

I think he was a little tired!

I made sure to squeeze in some Auntie/Stud time too...

My sweet grandma was also at the party

I'm hoping that things start to die down soon...I need some relaxation! I feel myself getting sick and exhausted...maybe December 26 will bring a day full of rest!

Duggar Baby Update

I don't have much to report...

but I have heard from several locals around here that baby Josie Duggar is doing surprisingly well considering the circumstances. Please continue to pray for Josie Duggar.

Also, Jim Bob & Michelle have done an interview with People magazine regarding the circumstances. Click here to read more about that.

Whether you agree/appreciate the Duggars or not...I'm so happy to hear that the baby is doing good. I pray that God continues to work a healing miracle in baby Josie's life.

GNO Blessings

I know I've said it before, but seriously God has truly blessed me with the best group of girl friends. How we all came together and have remained such good friends is such a God thing. He orchestrated it all and it's exactly what we all need- a great group of Christian girls that can support each other in every life stage. We have soo much fun together and I always leave with my stomach hurting because I have laughed so hard!!

We had our First Annual Girls' Night Out Ornament Exchange (1st annual because it will become our annual tradition!). We had dinner at Carrabba's and did the ornament exchange afterwards. Dinner was AMAZING; although, we had the most awkward waiter...I mean, he gave us the creeps!

All the girls at GNO



Suzette & Lane

We even had two new girls at our GNO...we love having new girls! Keely and I went to high school together and her co-worker Katie came too.

One of my favorite gals on the planet- Lane!

We met through blogging and I just LOVE that girl!!

Me & Keely

Our ornaments...I originally had a cute reindeer one but Danielle stole it! Haha!

But I ended up with a really cute orange one.

Danielle and Suzette...and my original ornament!

And with holiday parties filling up everyone's calendars, I thought I'd pass along a new recipe...in case you've got some potlucks in your future.

The Gamecock Queen posted this dip recipe on her blog and she raved how wonderful it was and how easy. Well, if you know me, I love the combination of wonderful and easy!

And let me just tell you, she was right!!

I don't know what it's called- I called it pizza dip.

Oh ya'll...it's yummy!!!

At our girls' lunch yesterday, I made one of my staple recipes...corn dip.

The girls loved it and so do I. I've posted the recipe before- check here if you're wanting an easy, yummy dip recipe.

Tis The Season...

for a VERY busy schedule!

I love the holidays but my typical homebody, couch loving self is pushed to the max with all the Christmas parties and such. I love going to the parties but it really seems like I have something going every night! Does that happen to you?

Yesterday we had one of our girls' lunches. It was so fun- Ashley hosted and the food was so yummy!

Suzette, Me, Danielle, Alyssa, and Ashley

And Miss Kyah was looking so cute in her outfit!

Avery & Kyah are BFFs...aren't they adorable?!



Avery's hat cracked me up...isn't it precious?


After dinner, Stud #1 had his Christmas musical at school, so I was a good Aunt and watched him and about a hundred other first graders sing their little hearts out. It was so cute.




Leave it to Stud to be right by a girl...
he was holding hands with another little girl earlier in the night!

And he was rocking those deer antlers he made!

Tonight is our First Annual Girls' Night Ornament Exchange...I'm so excited! But I'm spending my day on the couch getting ready for a night out...ha!

A Baby Changes Everything

My home church created a very unique video retelling of the birth of Jesus. It's a modern day version and I just cried and cried when I watched it. It's one thing to read about a young woman getting pregnant and delivering a baby...the Savior of the world-- but it's really powerful to see it!

And that's what this season is all about...a precious baby born with the weight of the world on His shoulders...

A Baby Changes Everything from Ronnie Floyd on Vimeo.

A Little R&R

One of my long time friends, Levi, has been home on R&R. He's in the middle of his second tour in Iraq, but we were so glad to have him home for a while! It was just like old time...all of us back together again! Of course, things are a little different now...people are married and there were lots of babies at the party- definitely not like it used to be!!

All the Jones boys...and the newest addition

Levi and Blake...being Levi and Blake


Oh goodness...Blake.



One of the newest boys in the mix...JP





And I had to show you one of my latest creations...

Lauren requested a shirt for her daughter's birthday which is this month.

How cute is this idea-- Little Miss December?!?



I loved it!






One of the things I love about this season is that there is a lot of R&R...spending time with family, sleeping in, and doing a bunch of nothing!!

11 Days

Yep, that's right...11 days until Christmas.

So if you haven't started your shopping...you better get in gear!

I think I finally finished up my shopping this weekend-

we had our Annual Family Christmas Trip to Branson. Of course, the weather did NOT cooperate- it was freezing, raining, and did I mention COLD!?!? And I am not a fan of cold weather...I'm such a pansy! But it was fun...lots of eating, shopping, and even a visit with Santa!!

How appropriate- of course Santa's "office" is under a huge Christmas tree!
We also spent our afternoons napping and mornings sleeping in...LOVE sleeping!

And Stud #2 put on his ski wear to brave the cold...and he looked pretty cute!


Since the weather was not even close to ideal...Stud #1 and I snuggled by the fire!



Now can you imagine decorating that tree or stringing those lights?!
Silver Dollar City had TONS of lights...over 4 million to be exact! Glad it's not me testing those bulbs!

I think Nana and Papa got in some good lovin' time with Stud #1 and Stud #2

I have to say, riding an open-air Christmas train at night in the freezing rain is not my idea of fun! But I think it's Stud #1's favorite part of Silver Dollar City. Somehow, my sister and I managed to not become ice cubes by the end of the ride.

And if you wish Christmas was year round...it is at Silver Dollar City. They have the best Christmas shop- TONS of Christmas trees and decorations year round. I picked up a cute ornament for my girls' night ornament exchange!

Stud #2 and I enjoyed some quality bonding time...by bonding I mean, he screamed and I tried to calm him- unsuccessfully.



And since there's only 11 days...

I thought it was FINALLY time to start the gift wrapping when we got back home.

How many of you have finished your shopping???