We had a busy day decking the halls at our house.

We got our tree up and decorated.

It’s not my *favorite* tree ever, but it’s fine.

Next year we plan to get a permit so we can go to the mountains and chop down our own tree.

Christmas movies with the tree all lit up are so much fun!

We also worked on the light on the outside of the house.

In the afternoon we wanted a break from all the “work” so we drove North to where my brother lives.

Twin Silos in Fort Collins is such a great playground and we haven’t been in a long time.

My brother met us there with his dog for a visit, it was nice to see him!

The kiddos never wanted to leave.

For dinner we had Cannon’s favorite, broccoli cheddar soup and soft pretzels. I love these easy quick meals.

What are your favorite easy meals?

We are so excited to get going on our bucket list for Christmas this year! Our time at home to celebrate is cut short this year so we need to get to work. Our list includes:

• Visit Santa
• Make Christmas cookies

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• Build a gingerbread house
• Movie night with pop corn

• 

• 

• 

• 

• Drive to see Christmas lights with hot chocolate
• Make gifts for the Grandparents

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• Send out Christmas cards
• Decorate the Christmas tree

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• Go on a horse drawn carriage ride
• Make Reindeer Food

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

What is on your holiday bucket list?

We have had bucket lists for last

summer 2021 summer 2019  fall 2019  fall 2021 winter2021 and spring 2021

We spent our days doing some Christmassy things to really get the season going. I LOVE this time of year and want to live in it as much as possible.

We have been doing grocery pick up since the pandemic started but needed to go into the store to grab a few things. The kids were excited to get into the car cart again after almost two years. I can’t believe how big they are in there now!

We also went shopping for Christmas lights, next year we need to get on light shopping much earlier.

We also picked up our tree, this is one of the few things that makes dark mornings and evenings so much better.

Shakira first came up with the idea of Occasions Bins and I immediately loved the idea!

What is an Occasions Bin™?

This idea is all about adding to the magic in the every day, and we have loved it so far!

I love having our Christmas goodies sitting out on the counter so we can have festive snacks and meals easily.

• 

• 

• 

I’ve even noticed Cory grabbing holiday plates and that isn’t usually his thing.

We also made one for Halloween and loved it.

We plan to make these bins next year:

• Valentine’s Day
• St. Patricks Day
• Easter
• Spring
• Cinco de Mayo
• July 4th
• Back to School
• Halloween
• Christmas

What are some of your favorite new traditions?

Cory had to work but the kids and I wanted to get out in nature.

• 

• 

• 

I am getting much braver getting out with the kids by myself. I wonder if by the summer I will be brave enough to take them camping on my own.

The water tower always has some interesting art.

So far late fall has been really easy on us with NO snow and very warm. We will see what real winter brings us.

We started our Thanksgiving early with a family 5k (no race for us this year, hopefully next year we can participate next year).

I wonder when Cannon will be running the entire way with us.

We spent the rest of the day baking pies then enjoying time with my family. So much better than last year!

Cannon talked us into staying later so he could cuddle his Grandma and watch Puppy Dog Palls Thanksgiving.

We loved being able to be together again, things are feeling so much better now that most of us are vaccinated, just waiting on Emmy to get her turn.

2016 – Cannon’s fist Thanksgiving and Turkey Trot

2017 – Family Turkey Trot, pregnant with Emmy

• 

• 

2018 – Emmy’s first Thanksgiving

2019 – Spent Thanksgiving at home eating saltines because we caught the stomach flu.

2020 – Home under Covid quarantine.

We are really enjoying our Thanksgiving break since our friends that are in school can come out and play too!

We had the best time!

Emmy’s face shows how she feels about me buying her Valentines stuff already. It was too cute to pass up and I have found if I wait for a more appropriate time it will be gone. TOP PANTS

Have you seen Valentine’s stuff in store already?

Over the weekend we took a quick trip down to Roxborough State Park.

It is such a beautiful park and less than an hour drive from our home.

We didn’t have too much time so we decided to do a three mile hike with some beautiful overlooks.

The trail was very easy!

There is also a historic homestead to explore.

We love getting out and seeing so much of our state.

Cannon even found some rocks to climb.

On the way home we picked up some coffee and the kids new favorite steamers with peppermint.

Today we found out that one of Cory’s siblings passed away. It was not expected.

I can’t imagine Cannon or Emmy losing each other before they are old and grey.

It is a not so gentle reminder not to hold our loved ones tight and tell them how much you love them.

Live the life your dream of, love hard, count your blessings and be kind as much as you can.

We are adding a couple new Christmas traditions this year and I am so excited!

I checked How Winston Delivered Christmas out from the library not knowing anything about it. When I got it home and realized it was an advent story I knew I wanted to buy a copy so we would have one for years to come. You read a chapter a night for December and there are crafts or activities listed that you can do as well.

This book is seriously beautiful!

We are also adding the Cinnamon Bear to our traditions this year.

I grew up listening to this with my family every year. I found it as a podcast and can’t be more excited to share it with my family. You listen to an episode of the story a day until Christmas. I can’t remember all the details of the story so it’s fun to listen to it again!

Along with our new traditions we are enjoying some old favorites like time outside and reading books:

If the kids are ever having a hard time behaving sending them outside will almost always turn things around.

We spent the rest of the day doing chores and getting the Christmas decorations out.

Emmy has really been into the new book nook, I love when she “reads” to herself.

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?