2013 Christmas Card

I'm linking up with Faith for her Christmas Card Carousel today! 

Since Mason was born relatively close to Christmas, we decided to make the birth announcements and Christmas card one and the same. Last year, I purchased some Christmas cards on clearance at Target so I just used those (which I love) and placed the pictures inside. I also had a small credit at Shutterfly so a few people got a little bit different card. 

Here is what we used: 

Thanksgiving 2013 Pictures

Matt's parents and grandparents were here for Thanksgiving and it was sweet to be able to celebrate Mason's first holiday with family. Here are a few pictures from the day! 

Our little turkey was pretty serious this day and actually had a very fussy day. We determined later that he was needing more to eat and we quickly remedied that. 

A little grin, perhaps? 

Eh, maybe not. :)

The gang's all here + Dad behind the camera. 

Yummy food! 

Sleeping during dinner. 

Grandmom & Granddad

Grammy & PopPop aka Mom & Dad aka Mrs. Claire and Mr. Rob

Our little family of three

Granddad & Grandmom and Grammy and PopPop

Granddad and Grandmom

Grammy and PopPop

4 Generations: Granddad, Grandmom, Grammy, Dad and Mason

Three generations: PopPop, Dad, and Mason

Dad, Mason, Grammy and PopPop

Our family of 3 

The whole gang! 

We had a great time!! 

Tempest's Course {A Book Review}

I was chosen by Litfuse Publicity Group to read and review Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell. This book is a part of the Quilts of Love series.

Litfuse's website says the following: (a direct quote)

Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a 150-year-old Mariner’s Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain’s home, where the quilt is stored. There she meets Army veteran Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline.

Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she and Tom grow closer. And as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns the secrets of the quilt and Mary’s own sad tale of regret. Then Tom learns secrets of his own family’s past, and both Tom and Kelly learn they are tied to Gray House in ways they never imagined.

I must say, I LOVED this book. It was an easy read which continues to be great for me since our little one is 6 weeks old and I'm still not getting a TON of sleep! :) Lynette wrote a compelling story which kept me interested the whole way through.  I am hoping to get to read more from Lynette in the future.

Check it out! I think you'll enjoy it!

2013 Ornaments

Friends from home sent this ornament for Mason's 1st Christmas. I was so excited to get it because all of the ones I have seen were pretty cheesy. This one is PERFECT! Matt and I can't wait to put a picture in it. The bottom part is chalkboard and can be written on. LOVE IT!

One day while in the mall, Matt and I spotted a little stand that had ornaments to personalize. We began browsing and soon I spotted this one that was already personalized with "Mason" on it. We bought it quickly. It's so fun!

Our friends, Brad, Rebekah, Jadon and Baby Hill #2 sent this ornament to us. So sweet! 

GiGi purchased this little Christmas Pickle ornament for Mason from The Fresh Market. It's so cute and tiny. 

When PawPaw was here he got these two ornaments for Mason when we visited Hendersonville. A fish and a deer are quite appropriate coming from PawPaw :)

This ornament was what we purchased for ourselves for our 2nd anniversary on 1/1/13. The gift for that anniversary is "cotton" so this was perfect!!! 

Oh, how'd that get in there!?! ;-)

First BIG Milestone {Rolling Over}

Y'all...our little guy rolled over from tummy to back on December 3rd!!! I was able to catch it on video when he did it for the first time because I noticed him roll to his side and I turned the video camera on and caught it. We honestly thought it was a fluke because that is a milestone that isn't usually met until closer to 4 months. However, three days later, he rolled over 6 more times and then later that day 2 more times! So, it looks like we have an overachiever! :) See for yourself :)

Christmas Pajamas!! {Holly Jolly PJ Party}

Linking up with The Good Life Blog (and plenty of others) for the Holly Jolly PJ Party. 

Our little guy somehow ended up with many many pairs of Christmas pajamas! He is getting harder to take a picture of because he wants to move move move those little arms and legs. SO sweet!

Matt's parents purchased these for Mason. They say "Little Helper". That belts slays me!!! 

Can we talk about the HAT!?! This one says "My First Christmas" and has reindeer on the feet and one of the booty!

These were purchased from a yard sale for 25 cents. He was too concerned with his activity mat this day. Haha! 

Mason: Week 6 {Photos}

Day 36: Photoshoot #1 with Paw Paw

Day 37: My main main: MM & MMM

Day 38: Mason LOVES his camo blanket from MiMi; it helps him roll from tummy to back!!

Day 39: Sleeping soundly so I can hold my head up later!

Day 40: Wearing some of my Christmas PJ's!!

Day 41: I LOVE BATH TIME!!! :)

Day 42: OHHH!!! You said I get to have extra milk tonight!?!? :)