Oh Christmas Tree!

Every year, I put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. It was a tradition that we had while I was growing up - and it's a tradition that I am upholding with my family. This year I did something a little different with our tree and added peacock feathers to the mix! The tree itself isn't much different than last years Christmas tree, as all the same ornaments were used again this time around, but I beautified it a bit more by adding peacock ribbon throughout the tree, adding some teal bulbs, and doing away with a big bow as the tree topper and creating something more fancier this year!...

I love how the "tree topper" turned out!! I always thought this "spray of various branches" look was so pretty when seeing it on other Christmas trees...I was unsure if I could pull it off myself - but I thought I would give it a try...and really, it wasn't complicated at all!

Ilah's Christmas tree is also up in her room!! I actually put it together before I tackled our big family tree....

For those wondering...Ilah definitely takes notice of her pretty tree, but she doesn't pull on the ornaments. She admirers them by pointing at them and/or gently holding a few {while they are still on the limb} and saying "pretty!". But mostly, she passes right by the tree and moves on to playing with her toys! Ha!

I only intended to put up these two Christmas tree this year and forgo decorating the house as I did last year, but then when I started going through my Christmas bins, I couldn't resist diving in and pulling things out to put in place again this year! I still need to take pictures of the other Christmas decor that I've put up in our home. I will be posting those photos soon! Come back Friday! : )

Hope you all are having a wonderful December!!

From Our Family To Yours...

Randomness

• Last year I hosted Thanksgiving at our house. This year we will be spending it between my in-laws and my mom's.

• Speaking of Thanksgiving....I'd love to give this recipe a try but my husband likes "traditional" things so he won't go for it....

Source: tidymom.net via Jessica on Pinterest

• I'm just loving Pinterest. Look at this darling little kids table, set up all cute for the little ones on Thanksgiving....

Source: thepartydress.net via Jessica on Pinterest

• I had so many design ideas that I wanted to implement for Thanksgiving cookies but I just didn't have it in me over the weekend to make them. Something tells me though that once I get crackin' on all the Christmas cookie ideas I have, "project Thanksgiving cookies" will be a thought of the past.


• Since being married, I have never asked for anything for Christmas. This year, however...mama has a request. For a foot massager from Brookstone!


• My hubby bought himself an early Christmas present....an xbox kinect sports game that he's been wanting for a while now. He spotted it while we were at Costco over the weekend and the price was cheaper then he had seen it anywhere else. And just like a kid at Christmas who got a new toy...he's been up in the wee hours of the night playing it!
  


• My Pastor's wife and I have formed a wonderful friendship and I am super excited that they bought a home less than 5 miles from us and they close on it tomorrow! Dele will be helping them move their stuff in tomorrow night. Yay! {Sidenote: They are a fairly young couple, in their late 30's, and have two young boys - just in case you were wondering} ; )
  


• My calendar has a pretty fun date PENNED in on December 1oth...we are hosting a Christmas party at our house this year!! I sent out the invite yesterday!


• I'm super excited to begin decorating our house for Christmas! We had a tradition growing up that we put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving and I've carried out that tradition with my family : ) This year I'll be changing up the decor just a bit - can't wait to start putting pretty pieces in place! And yes, Ilah's tree will go up again in her room this year!!
  


• Ilah's birthday is literally just around the corner now. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I started buy things for her birthday months and months ago, because I couldn't imagine being in party planning mode AND balancing that with the holiday madness. This week I picked up a cardboard letter at Michaels to replicate this look {I plan to put an "I" on one of the food tables}...

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

• Dele gets some nice perks through his company - one of which is a $200 credit towards a gym membership - we're eyeing the YMCA, as they have many fun things for little ones, which would be great for Ilah!


• I came across a heartwarming saying the other day on Pinterest and posted it to my honey's facebook wall today:
  
  
  
  
  
  Source: imgfave.com via Jessica on Pinterest

• Last year I hosted Thanksgiving at my house.
• And since I'm back to mentioning Pinterest, how cute is this ideas...using cookie cutters to make Christmas shaped pancakes....

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Jessica on Pinterest

• Our dvr hasn't had many shows recorded this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Can't wait to see the new episode of Desperate Housewives and Panam!! Anyone else love these shows?


• I've been super tired lately and just can't seem to get going. Maybe I relaxed so much on vacation that I am still in that lazy, don't-want-to-do-anything state of mind. Aside from making some new hair bows, I haven't done too much around here.


• We are SERIOUS night owls. I go to bed every night around 1 am and my husband stays up until around 2am. *We. are.nuts.*
  


• Santa is officially here from the North Pole ; ) Time for Ilah to get her picture taken with Old Saint Nick - gotta go early in the month and avoid the last minute madness!

Lots of New Bows Added to My Etsy Shop!

I've been busy the past few days making lots of darling felt hair bows, paired with layers of frilly fabric, and adding them to my etsy shop - Morgan Lane Boutique! To see all the new designs that are in stock, pay the shop a visit! Keep checking back frequently as new bows will continue to be added to the shop this week! These unique bows, packaged cutely, make for perfect {and inexpensive} stocking stuffers...and darling gifts to give for Christmas!

Back-to-School bows, Halloween bows, selective Breast Cancer Awareness bows, Easter bows, St. Patty's day bows...have all been moved to CLEARANCE for just $3.99 - $4.99! Enjoy the savings!

Ilah, 22 Months Old

Another month has quickly passed us by - which means that our sweet Ilah is another month older. I can't believe that she will be turning 2 in less than two months.

So, my fun-loving little girl, what are you up to?....

• You are very outgoing, and extremely independent, but there are certain situations {like when you initially walk into a crowd of people} that you just won’t leave mommy’s side

• You love wearing mommy’s jewelry

• You love music - and love to dance and jump!

• Almost every time you sit at the table to color, you climb on top…of the table! Oy vey!

• You love sitting on the kitchen counter to watch mommy prepare food

• You love going up and down your step-stool – to wash your hands, turn off the light

• Speaking of the light – you turn it off yourself every night so you know that means “bedtime!” – so you always stand there for a good minute before flipping off the switch! Ha!

• You love it when we give you piggy bag rides or you play “horsey” on our backs!

• This month mommy and daddy went away on our first vacation alone since you were born. You stayed with your Abuela and you were so good for her! She loves you SO much!

• You have started to come up to me when we are home together, and take a hold of my hand – just because. Melts my heart!

• You love when we read books together

• Right now your favorite toy is your ABC puzzle. You can put every letter in place on the first try!

• You have started tapping my arm or my leg when you need something. You mostly do this to get my attention when I'm doing something else and you'd like me to focus on you!

• You put your own shoes on – and have for a few months now! You are such a big girl Ilah!

• You have memorized where the pillows go on the couch – you love helping me put each one back in the same place they were in!

• You have started to hide things yourself and then go back to “find” them. Cute : )

• You make funny little faces, like this one!....

• You love being my little helper – handing me clothes to put in the washer, giving me your bowl when you are done eating, throwing something in the trash that you may happen to find, etc.

• Look at how tall you are now!....

• You love getting your cute little hands on the real things…the real computer, the real camera, the real remote control.

• Awhile ago, you started to play “goodnight”. When mommy says “goodnight!” you close your eyes and pretend to be asleep and you start to fake snore. Then after a few seconds you open your eyes and laugh and we do it again!

• If I am doing something that you want to be doing, you will pull my hand away so that you can do it

• You are my ray of sunshine, no matter what the weather is like outside!

• Now when we ask how old you are, you say 2! Not yet, but soon Ilah : )

• Every day when your Daddy comes home from work, you run up to him and yell "Daaaadddy!!!" and he swoops you up and says, "My darling girl! How are you!?" and you squeeze each other tight! Your daddy can't get enough of you! He's always checking in during the day to see how you're doing.

• You are SO funny!!! And SO happy!!! We adore you...and you know it! ; )

Ilah, I cherish these days with you that we can spend every day together. You are growing so fast...the months are passing all too quickly and you will soon be two. I pray that our closeness continues as the years pass. You are an amazing little girl and my heart is full of happiness every day that I am YOUR mommy!

We love you,

Mommy & Daddy