Thanksgiving Week Recap

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is over already?? I was looking forward to this week for months now and I'm so sad that it flew by. We had a blast having family in town but sadly my dad was sick with the flu all week. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon. Now that the holiday season is here I am soooo excited for all the festivities. I am a little bit of a Christmas freak so bring all the holiday magic!

Our week was jam-packed with activities especially since I was still working until Wednesday. Here are some of my fave pictures from the week!

From our walk along the oceanfront

We stopped and had drinks at Catch 33. So pretty!

My parents in front of the tree outside our house. Gorgeous leaves right now!

I made the Pioneer Woman's Chipotle Chicken Chili on their 2nd night in town. YUM!

We also ventured out to Green Flash for some beers and to play corn hole 

On Wednesday night, we went to see the Deloreans play at Chichos and oh my goodness, it was a blast! I LOVE some good 80s cover songs!

Breakfast on Thanksgiving... ignore my crazy beehive hair and the lovely faces Mark and Chase are making lol

After Thanksgiving dinner, we walked around the neighborhood to check out the lights. Walks are my fave so this was the PERFECT way to end the evening.

Everyone headed up early Saturday morning and I wish they could have stayed longer. I love hosting people at the house and it was a blast to be together for Thanksgiving. Come back soon!!

The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning, doing laundry, and decorating the house for Christmas. Mark and I did venture out to get breakfast at the Bee and the Biscuit on Saturday morning. I LOVE going there! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving Break Recap

Hi everyone! Happy Monday! I'm officially in full Christmas mode. We've decorated our house, Mark put the lights up outside, and I even started wrapping presents. I am a total Christmas- freak... I just love it. Let's not forget Thanksgiving though... we had a great time when we were home and I can believe how fast it was here and then over. So sad!

We got into town on Tuesday night and had dinner with my parents and my mother in law, Lauren. We went to bed pretty early because we were exhausted. On Wednesday, we ran errands and then met up with some family friends at the Hofbraushaus. Mark is obsessed with German food, so I knew he would love it. The place was pretty dead but it was still fun.

On Thanksgiving day, we went over to Bob and Lora's for breakfast and to watch football. I was really terrible at taking pictures this week and barely have any, whoops!

We headed back to the house after the Lions game and my mom started preparing everything for dinner. It was a pretty low key day, we just played games, watched football, and had lots of snacks. The food was delicious and we all went to bed with full bellies.

On Friday, my mom, Lora, and I all went Black Friday shopping. It's a tradition and we love the craziness of it all. We don't go until like 8 or 9 because we aren't trying to get any hot ticket items. It's much less stressful when you aren't looking for something in particular. I ended up getting a lot of great deals and checked some people off my Christmas gift list.

Then the best part of the whole weekend... GILMORE GIRLS!! My mom and I had been planning a girls night for weeks to celebrate the launch of the final 4 episodes. I don't want to ruin it for anyone else who hasn't seen it yet, but holy moly it was good! We watched all 4 episodes that night so it was a little much lol. I recommend breaking it up in chunks!

On Saturday, we watched the Michigan v. Ohio State game. Sadly, Michigan lost but it was such a good game. It definitely kept us on the edge of our seats.

My mom and I headed back out to a local store that was having a Shop Small Saturday sale and bought more Christmas gifts.  Later on, we went to dinner at a Hibachi place and it was soooo good!

Afterwards, we were in bed super early because we planned on leaving Vegas at 4:00 a.m. to head back to SD. The traffic is always awful after Thanksgiving and we wanted to beat it. Luckily, we didn't really hit traffic but it was a little slow because of the rain. All in all, it was a great weekend!

A Thankful Heart

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. It's a time dedicated to family and eating... what could be better?? More than anything this is a great time to stop and look at all the blessings in my life. I feel like the Lord just continues to work in my life and has given me so much.

Things I am thankful for (some more serious than others):

• My husband- He is so patient with me and so incredibly loving. I couldn't ask for a better partner in life and I can't wait to see him as a dad one day!
• The marriage Bible study we just finished... so good!
• My family- I am so blessed to not only have a supportive family but a super fun family too! I love hanging out with my parents and I always have a blast with them. I'm so lucky to have parents that were incredible role models and I strive to be like both of them each day. 
• Working with Godly and encouraging woman
• My friends- Such uplifting and kind people! I am so grateful for the many laughs, great conversations,  and even the tears shared together this year. I'm beyond blessed!
• Comfy, fuzzy sock because they rock in the winter!
• White Christmas lights
• Friends who live in other states but who make an effort to stay in touch. It means so much to me!
• My crazy dogs who crack me up every day with their wild antics! 
• The caramel brûlée lattes from Starbucks... mmm!
• Catching up with friends like it hasn't been months since we've seen each other :)
• Sleeping in until 8:00 on Saturdays! Woohoo!
• Finally boots and sweater weather in San Diego
• A husband who doesn't mind my obsession with Christmas music, or shopping, or makeup, or buying stickers for my planner, or my need for NO clutter... lol He puts up with a lot!
• The sweet kiddos in my class who write me letters and draw me the cutest pictures
• New friendships
• Having our house filled with Christmas cheer already! I love having our tree up early!
• Living close to (some of) Mark's family. The Woosters take such good care of us!
• Gaining new cousins when I married Mark who are so sweet to me!
• Taking new (and scary) steps with my blog
• My friends and family who read every single post regardless of what it's about. I treasure you!
• New cookbooks and recipes to try so I don't get bored with cooking :) And my husband as my taste-tester
• New members joining our family :)
• Orange Theory Fitness and all the great coaches there
• Our military and all the men and woman who selflessly serve our great country
• The fact that I live in the U.S. and the freedoms that we have
• And most importantly... God. I am so grateful to be saved by His grace. 

I'm praying that you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and that you're surrounded by the ones you love! 

Comfy Thanksgiving Day Outfit

It's November! Can you believe it??? This year has gone by so fast! Since I am a teacher I think of years in terms of "school years" and my goodness the past 3 months have flown by with my kiddos. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I couldn't be more excited for the yummy food and good company that it brings. I've started thinking about outfits, because well that's what I do lol. I love clothes, shopping, etc. so this is super fun for me. This is my idea of the perfect comfy Thanksgiving day outfit... nothing too fancy but still a little more effort than normal.

1. This cable knit sweater is super cute and I love the "sand dune" color. It's a great neutral to pair with pretty much anything! I see it being super cute with a maroon long-sleeve underneath too!

2. I love plaid everything. I have been wearing plaids for years and I am so excited that they are still in style. This classic combo of red, blue, and white is perfect and I love it underneath a cable knit sweater! Plus it's only $19, love that.

3. These hexagon studs are simple but oh-so-polished. I never really wear earrings but these are on my wish list at the moment!

4. I love cognac/ brown riding boots. I pair them with everything, even black! If you are going for an even more laid back look the riding boot option would be perfect!

5. These jeans from the Gap would be great to pair with pretty much anything. I love that they are slightly distressed, but not overboard. Jeans are my go-to so I will def be wearing a pair on Thanksgiving.

6. Ankle booties are my jam. I love them! This pair is sooo cute and they are currently sitting in my Nordstrom shopping cart. I am so terrible at this No-spend November thing! :/ The tan color pairs great with anything and would add a more polished look to the sweater and plaid.

7. I must confess that I rarely change out my purse, unless I want to carry a clutch or a smaller cross body for the night. I wish I was one of those girls who had a purse that was coordinated with her outfit each day, but I'm not lol. If I did change it out for my Thanksgiving outfit I think this little fringe cross-body from Old Navy would be adorable. I am also loving this black and white printed clutch from Old Navy too!

What are you planning on wearing for Thanksgiving?? We keep it pretty casual but I've seen some gorgeous dresses on Nordstrom's website for those of you who get more dressed up for the occasion!