Wishing you & your family Christmas blessings!!
May your holiday be filled with joy & laughter…
…peace & love ❤
Merry Christmas!
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Happy Christmas Eve!
Merry Christmas Eve!
So much excitement in the air today. You can feel it all around! We like to call it, Holiday Magic.
Today was the last day that Liam woke up to go on a hunt to find Mr Elf’s hiding spot. He had so much fun looking for him each morning this past month. He would use his little Lightening Mcqueen flash light & walk around our house shining it in every nook & cranny. I will share pics of a few fun things Mr Elf did along the way this year, next week. Today, though, on his last morning with us, he brought Liam a special goodbye letter and a Christmas Box of goodies.
I found the letter as a free printable online & I’ll share the link next week. It was perfect, though, because it allowed Mr Elf’s magic to be lifted for a few minutes so Liam could hug him & say goodbye. We didn’t realize how big of an impact this would have until we did it this morning. He asked to take him into his room & snuggle, so we said yes. When it was time to put him back in the Christmas tree, my sweet baby had tears in his eyes because he said he would miss him so much. His Christmas spirit is strong and we love him so!
The Christmas Box was an idea you frequently see on Pinterest boards, but surprisingly (for me, anyhow), Stephen really wanted to do this, so kudos to him because he did the whole thing! My hubby is usually not the one into Pinterest type things, so I was stoked! It has new jammies to wear tonight, a new Christmas book, and a few small toys (Star Wars themed, of course).
….Since it’s Thursday, and we love to do #TBT on social media these days, I thought it only appropriate to share one of my MOST favorite pictures of little man from exactly 4 years ago. On 12/23/11, I took Liam to the mall to squeeze in a last minute 1st pic with Santa (which came out fantastic, by the way). He was just 5 months old. Then, while daddy worked, he & I had a great time strolling through the mall shopping. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I snapped this pic of him while we were in Barnes & Noble. Such a happy baby 🙂
Last, but not least, is what has become our annual ‘Christmas Jammies by the Tree’ picture. I had saved Liam’s jammies from last year’s pictures and was thrilled that they still just barely fit this year, so we used them again.
2015 ~ Liam: 4 years, 5 months & Timber: 13 years
For a look back on our previous years pictures, click HERE.
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We are off to bake cookies for Santa & make some reindeer food ❤
Until next time!
Priceless Memories — Family Pictures 2015
Last month, I made the boys dress up in color-coordinated happiness, so we could update our family pics. I was so happy to be able to have our photography session, once again, with our friend & family photographer, Dawn Geraghty. She is so talented and literally, the BEST to work with!
You can contact her at: dawngeraghtyphotography@aol.com // facebook: Dawn Geraghty Photography // http://www.dawngphoto.com/
We were so happy to include our fur baby, Timber, this time around in the session. He is an important part of our family, and we hadn’t done pics with him since Liam’s newborn shoot. The boys were such good sports, as we’ve had an unseasonably hot winter here in Florida. I picked out these “warm” outfits for us, and we all were dripping with sweat out at the park. LOL! …oops! I promised Stephen that next year we will wear shorts 😉 …although, seriously, are you not loving little man’s tie?!?!
I almost can’t handle the cuteness overload with this one of both boys…..
You can check out last year’s pics HERE.
Until next time, friends!
Liam’s Pre-K Holiday Program
Last week, the teachers & students of the Pre-K Dept at Liam’s school performed a Holiday Program for us that was pure holiday magic. It was Liam’s very 1st school performance, so we weren’t sure how he would react to being “on stage” with so many parents & family watching him & his classmates. However, we quickly realized we had a little star on our hands, as he ate it up 🙂 …all of the kids were adorable & the teachers did a fabulous job of teaching them & choreographing these little 4 and 5 year olds.
Each class sang two holiday songs, and then, at the end of the program, they all grouped together to sing, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. They had been practicing learning the songs and their ‘dance moves’ since just after Thanksgiving. I would always ask Liam on our way home from school if they practiced that day, and I think he was over it because at one point he said to me, “Mommy, why do you always ask me that?” ….hahaha! Guess, I was excited little man! 🙂
Here’s the video of his class’s performance. Again, SO PROUD!! He did so well! As much as we asked him beforehand, he had never showed us what they were going to do or practiced at home. We’ve been singing Christmas songs together in the car, but that’s it. Everything else was all learned at school.
When we got home that night after the program, he said to me, “Mommy, was I so cute beautiful & adorable?” Ugh, my heart was in a puddle. Love this little dude so much!
Until next time, friends!
ICE at Gaylord Palms
Last weekend, we went to ICE at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. This year’s theme features everyone’s favorite Christmas poem by Clement C. Moore: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. This is Liam’s favorite bedtime story to read at this time of the year, so we were really excited to check it out.
We knew it was going to be cold in there….seriously, they keep it at a chilly NINE (9) DEGREES!!! But, oh my goodness, when we stepped inside it literally took my breath away it was SO COLD. They give you parkas to wear over any warm clothes of your own that you bring, but wow, I was still not prepared. That was absolutely the coldest temps little man had ever been in, too!
Despite the extreme temps, everything really was so beautiful! The idea for ICE came from the Ice Festivals that take place in China, and the artisans that create the masterpieces we see here are actually flown in from over there because of their amazing talents. Each block of ice weighs 300 lbs & food coloring is used to create the brilliant colors we see 🙂
The Stockings were hung by the chimney with care….
I loved little dude in his parka 😉 …at the end of our walk-thru, all of our faces were honestly feeling frozen but he didn’t understand the feeling. He put his little mittens up to his face and said to Stephen, “Daddy, what’s happening to my face?” 🙂
The details on each sculpture were so amazing!
Daddy & Liam!
Loved this Christmas tree. Liam just wanted to touch everything. It was hilarious because the staff member had to say to everyone as you walked into the exhibit — ‘don’t link the ice’ ….haha!
Ice Slide Fun!!
Nutcrackers!
Nativity scene. Simple – white – ice ….just.beautiful.
This picture is hilarious. This was taken after we had waited in line for an hour & were about to enter ICE. We were actually in front of a green screen. Liam was.over.it — he didn’t understand what he was about to see & the last thing he wanted to do was take a picture (can you tell?!?! …LOL!)
Until next time!
How to Host a {Stress-Free} Gingerbread Decorating Party
Hi Friends!
I’m sharing some holiday fun over on Orlando Moms Blog. I hope you will check it out 🙂
You can link to the full article HERE
I am all about having fun with my kiddo at the holidays and making memories to last a lifetime. What I am not about, however, is stressing myself out in the process. One tradition we enjoy each holiday is getting together to decorate gingerbread houses. Over the years, we’ve perfected the process to make it as simple as possible, so today, I’m sharing my tips with you!
Happy Reading!
It’s Christmas Time!
I just love this time of the year — the decorations, the music, the smells, the traditions ❤ ….now, if we could only talk mother nature into giving us just a tad bit cooler weather here in the sunshine state, that would be swell 😉
As soon as we got back into town from my dad’s after Thanksgiving, we broke out the decorations & got busy making the house look festive. I have to say that having an excited 4 year old as a helper this year definitely made it extra fun 😉 — I think I said his name & ‘careful‘ & ‘just a minute‘ at least 100 times as he helped me take things out of our storage bins. He is SO excited for Christmas this year! We had to explain what “Christmas time” meant and that we didn’t jump from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve in one shot. Ha!
Placing the star on top is his favorite 🙂
Our tradition is to welcome back the Elf on the Shelf once our tree is up & decorated. So, Mr Elf did fly back from the North Pole last Saturday night, but more on that next time!
He also was thrilled to have his Little Peoples Nativity Scene back. He happily played with that for a majority of the afternoon. Made my mama heart happy ❤
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Early last week, Liam was over the moon to find a letter in the mail from Santa, himself! He danced all the way down the walk way & into the house!
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We headed out to Light Up UCF for an impromptu meet up with Mimi & Aunt Heather & cousin Sierra after school last week. Unfortunately, it was raining, so the lights were off…BUT, they had reindeer there that night!!! SO COOL!! — Did you know their coats are water proof??
He also got to ride the ice slide. He thought it was the greatest thing ever. Not to shabby for our Florida boy 😉
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Saturday, we were all excited for our 5th Annual Gingerbread Decorating Party! This has become such a fun tradition for us both as a family & for all of us as friends. LOVE IT ❤
For a look back at last year’s party, click HERE
I asked him what his favorite part of the party was afterwards. He said “the candy” …..as in, eating it! Can’t tell, right?!?! Hahaha!!!
All done!
And, of course, let’s not forget what happened to poor last year’s masterpiece — lol!!
After the kids wrapped things up….the “big kids” (aka, Lisa & Stephen) went to town on their house. This has become these two crazies little tradition & let me tell you they take it pretty serious 🙂
At one point, when Stephen was helping Liam, I suggested a few things to add & I was told, “no, we’re saving that for later” — wow!!!
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I am in LOVE with this!! ❤ ….We haven’t always been fans of Santa pics (it is kinda intimidating, right?!?!) but he did it this year! When he was done, he was so proud of himself & so were we for conquering something that he was kinda scared of. He even said, “that wasn’t bad at all!” Love that little dude so very much! We celebrated with hot chocolate!
Until next time!
Thanksgiving Wrap-Up
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you & your family had an awesome day with your loved ones and were able to reflect on the many blessings that we all have ❤
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We kicked our holiday weekend off with a super cute lunch at Liam’s school. Little man was thrilled to also see his daddy pop in to join us, as we thought he wasn’t going to be able to make it. It was a great time!
We headed up to my dad & stepmom’s house in Jacksonville for a few days, so that meant a road-trip. Timber is not as great a traveler as he was in his younger days. So, below is how he rode for the majority of the trip….in Daddy’s arms. Not to mention the fact that our normal 2 hour drive literally took us FOUR hours….SO not fun with our whining fur baby & one impatient/excited 4 year old….but, we eventually made it up there & had a great time 😉
Had to start our Thanksgiving morning with Macy’s Parade, right?!?! 🙂 ….I think I was more excited to watch this than Liam. LOL!
I honestly didn’t snap many pictures throughout the day, but this was a cute one. Timber was unsuccessfully begging for a hand-out 😉
So thankful that this guy calls me mommy ❤
Turkey time!!!
Always the helper in the kitchen….potatoes may or may not have been dropped on the floor a few times 🙂
We took a trip to St. Augustine to see their “Night of Lights” …the city was all decked out in beautiful white lights. Liam was in awe & walked up & down the sidewalk singing Christmas songs to himself & us….cutest.thing.ever ❤
We asked him to stand in front of the Ponce de Leon monument to snap his pic….instead, he thought it was the perfect place to make shadow puppets…hilarious & imaginative!!!
Loved the tree in the town square, so we took a quick family pic ❤
Here’s a look back on previous posts from Thanksgiving:
It was a fun & relaxing weekend. So nice to spend time with family and also talk to those that we weren’t able to be with. Life may be busy & hectic, but when we take time to pause & reflect, we really do have much to be thankful & grateful for. Each day is a gift ❤
Until next time, friends!
Welcoming Back Elf on the Shelf
It’s Elf Return Week!! Exciting times around Casa de Murphy, people! Our elf, Mr. Elf, flew back on Saturday night & Liam was SUPER excited to discover him when he woke up Sunday morning 🙂 ….I will be sharing pics of our first week of fun with him later this week.
For now, be sure sure to check out my latest Orlando Moms Blog post for some Elf on the Shelf fun.
You can link to the full article HERE.
I’m sharing some ideas for keeping the Elf on the Shelf fun & lighthearted in your home. Plus, a list of easy & simple suggestions to get you started with your elf. I also am excited to share a FREE printable calendar to help you plan your stay with your elf ❤
Happy Reading!
Happy Birthday, Timber!!
Our sweet fur baby, Timber is 13 years young today ❤
{photo credit above: Dawn Geraghty Photography}
We are so honored to have shared these last 13 years with him. I have always said he is our ‘forever puppy’, and Stephen now teases me that I’m in denial that he’s actually a senior dog. My head knows it, but yes, my heart is having a hard time accepting it. We’ve definitely seen signs of him getting older. Even today, as much as I would love to treat him to a fun doggy day, he’s not well. We’ll be making a vet visit here soon. Hopefully, this is just a doggy cold & nothing major. Overall, we know that each moment we have with this guy is precious, and we will treasure whatever time God gives us with him.
He is, and always will be, a member of our little family. He loves us unconditionally, and we love him more than words can express ❤
This one below is a bit of a throwback of the two of us, but I’ve always loved it 🙂 ….me & mommy’s little buddy
Happy Birthday, boo boo man! We love you so much!!
xoxo
(Mommy)
Casa de Murphy 