The Annual Pizza Party

This season has been especially hectic, so we didn't get to plan like we normally do for our friend Christmas party. This is another one of those special traditions created and passed down by my Aunt Jackie and whether it was well planned or not, we were still determined to keep the tradition alive.  We kept it simple, just our friends Allen and Jessica, and it was perfect.  We all got together at our house and made homemade pizzas.  The boys always try and get creative while the girls keep it pretty original.  This year the boys though sauce on top was the way to go. After pizza, we ate sugar cookies and watched Christmas with the Kranks. It was a perfect Christmas evening!

We were excited about the new Dr. Pepper 10- which Tyler let us try even though the commercial has convinced him it is "for men only."

Until next year!

Captain's of Industry

I hope my husband always knows that I am and always will be his biggest fan. I am just so proud of him! This year he was asked to speak at the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Captain's of Industry dinner. It was the perfect opportunity for Tyler to express our deep gratitude for all of those who give so generously to help find a cure. It was wonderful to be able to put a face with many of those donors who we will forever feel grateful for.

Tyler was, of course, such a natural on stage and we had a great time at the event. I tried to refrain from taking too many pictures.... but I had to take a few!

Tyler's mom came with us :)

Thanks to everyone who continues to fight for a cure! We are closer everyday and we couldn't say that without you!

Claire's Baby Shower

My sweet friend Claire and her husband Cal are expecting their first baby.  Tyler and I are SO excited for them!  And although it took some careful planning, since Claire and Cal moved to Texas (so sad!), when they came to visit their family for Thanksgiving it seemed like the perfect chance to get some girls together and celebrate this new baby!

The shower would have never happened without my friends, JoAnn and Jessica, who helped put together all the food. My favorite thing about this shower was how relaxed it was.  We all just enjoyed each other's company and caught up on time lost.  I am so thankful for these sweet friends and am so glad that the Lord blessed me with each of them.

Check out a few pictures from the shower! 

My first baby shower cake :)

We can't wait to meet Rebekah!

"Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him."
Psalms 127:3

Santa Saturday

Tyler and I love Christmas! I guess, who doesn't?  The decorations are fun, the presents are nice, and the food is great, but what I think we love most about the holidays is the time we spend with our families. One Saturday before Christmas, however, Tyler and I set aside a whole day to spend together- just the two of us!  It is always great to just hang out with zero interruptions before things get really busy.  We wake up and eat sweet rolls, decorate our tree, watch our favorite Christmas movie, Elf, while eating sugar cookies, and this year Tyler added a new tradition- we built a lego Christmas scene. I mean people do Christmas puzzles, right? Why not legos?  This day is always so much fun. It's a tradition we look forward to each year.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Candy Corn and Costumes!

Okay, so this is way over due... I mean, its almost Christmas!  But oh well! The costumes were cute, so I had to share! While I am not particularly big on Halloween, probably a result of never celebrating it growing up, I do normally celebrate by buying those pumpkin candy corns in mass quantities (Why do they taste so good?).

But our friends had a Halloween party this year and so we were in need of costumes. Not wanting to buy costumes, we opted for the much more creative make your own option!  I saw this picture online and it cracked me up!  Tyler has a particular love for The Price is Right and so I knew he would automatically be in!  Check out our Price is Right contestant costumes.  I just had to be the $701 :)

Check out the other cute costumes!

Pumpkin Cake

Since I love to bake, the holidays are a really fun time for me!  Since my husband prefers simple tastes when it comes to desserts, sometimes I run out of options! There is no pumpkin or apple pie for us on Thanksgiving. And while a vanilla on vanilla cake definitely has its' place in this world, it's flavor profile gets pretty old after awhile. But I love my honey, so if vanilla on vanilla is his preference, that's what I will make. So instead I just spice up the outside of the cake! Here is the pumpkin cake I made for Thanksgiving. But just so you know, it would have also been super yummy as a carrot cake, for those of you who are less boring :)

Thankfulness

Every year my Aunt Jackie would invite a big group of people over to her home to celebrate Thanksgiving.  We would always participate in one of my most favorite holiday traditions. (I definitely owe my love for holiday traditions to my Aunt Jackie!) The big group would all gather in one room and  each person would share five things they were thankful for. There is just something special about being thankful together. Since I can't be there this year, I thought I would share a few of the things I am thankful for on my blog today. It should be noted that while you are reading this I will be making some of my friend Sarah's yummy pumpkin bread (you have to check out this recipe!). She made this bread last Thanksgiving and it reminds me of this sweet time of thankfulness our families have always shared.

1. I am overwhelmed by my Savior's love for me. I can't understand it or explain it, but I am so thankful for it.  I know I don't deserve it and yet I am privileged to it. I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning and that my salvation though Him is eternal. 
2. I am so thankful for my sweet husband.  He is my number one fan and my best friend. I am thankful for the way he provides for us as a family and for the way he choose to love me each day.
3. I am so thankful for Tyler's health. Overall, he has had another good year of health and this is such a sweet blessing!  I am so thankful for all the doctors and nurses that care for him and make it possible for us to spend each day we have together.
4. I am thankful for my parents.  I am thankful for their support, prayers, and guidance. I am especially thankful for the moments when I find myself saying "Oh, that's why they did that when I was growing up!" or "...oh my, I just sounded like my mom". I am very blessed to have parents that sacrificed so much to be sure my sisters and I had the things we needed.  I am thankful that they were willing to not only just teach me the qualities of being a hard worker, a generous giver, and a follower of Jesus but they diligently lived these qualities to show me just what living them out would looked like. 
5. I am thankful for my sisters.  My sisters are some of my sweetest friends.  I wish Meg lived closer so that we could share more of life!  But I love Meg's passion and appreciate her drive for life . I admire her for her bravery!  I am also thankful for my sister Amy. I am so thankful we live close by. I appreciate her wisdom and perspective on life and the way she can share both of those things with me in a such a gentle way.
6. I am even more blessed to have a mother and father-in-law who treat me just like I have always been a part of the family.  I love having a mother in law who shares so many of the same interests as I do. It is always so fun to do projects together!  I love how our relationship has grown and that we have such a special friendship.  I also greatly appreciate my father in law for the way he shares his wisdom and for the way he demonstrates what being disciplined really means. Tyler often jokes that he married someone like his dad (we have those "A-type" personalities)- but I consider that comparison an honor!
7. I am thankful for both mine and Tyler's jobs.  We are both blessed with great working situations. I know it is only the Lord who could have worked this out on our behalf. 
8. I am thankful for my sweet friend Jessica.  She is the friend I prayed for and the Lord definitely answered! I admire her love for the Lord and for the way she cares for her husband. I am thankful for her patience with me and for her accountability.
9. I am thankful for my church, Life Group, and Small Group. I am blessed to be a part of such a body of believers. 
10. I am so thankful that this year Tyler and I were able to buy our first house. It is such a blessing and we are excited for all the memories we will have in this house together.

Enjoy a special day of Thanksgiving with your family and friends today! Although I can't be in Florida this year, know I will be thinking of each of you! Let's be honest, no one can top a Florida Family Thanksgiving (shout out to the Bass and Harvey families)! 

I hope you find a time to share in each other's thankfulness!

Happy Thanksgiving!
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds."
Psalm 9:1