20 Little Things to Look Forward to this Christmas

Christmas is almost upon us and I am starting to get excited about it!  After the family left Saturday my intentions were to take down all the fall/harvest decorations and begin putting up the Christmas decorations.  Well... that didn't happen. ~sigh~  I have had a (wonderfully) unproductive weekend and head back to work tomorrow for three weeks before Christmas break begins. 

I am parked here on the couch watching Christmas movies and started thinking about all the wonderful things to look forward to this holiday season!  Here is my (short!) list...

1. Christmas Movies- My favorite is "A Christmas Story" and I can't wait to watch it as we decorate the tree this week!

2. Decorating Our House- I absolutely LOVE decorating for Christmas!!!  I will be sure to post some pictures as things begin to get decorated.

3. Taking Andy Home for Christmas- This is the first year we will get to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning together!!  I am so excited to have Andrew home with me on Christmas morning!

4. Holiday Crafts- I am loving looking at all the fantastic ideas for crafts in blog world!

5. Christmas Lights- 'Nuff Said!

6. Holiday Bandanas- I love decking out the pups in Christmas gear!  They look so sweet... that is until they throw each other into the dirt pile in the back yard!

7. Christmas Cookie Creamer- YUM!

8. Going to NYC- I am so excited to visit Maile and El this year for a few days!  We are heading up to Philadephia for Andy's family Christmas party and then will be spending two days in NYC!  Carriage rides, ice skating, and a walk through Central Park in the snow (hopefully!)  It's just too much fun!!!!

9. Baking Christmas Cookies- Squirt, Katie, Mom, and I are planning a cookie baking and decorating day a few days before Christmas!  When we get together we laugh until we (almost!) pee in our pants!

10. Presents-  I LOVE GIVING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!!! 

11. Wrapping- I could make a career out of wrapping Christmas presents!

12. Shopping- Let's face it... I am always looking for an excuse to shop!

13. Time With My Family- I haven't been home since last Christmas... the longest time I have ever been away from home.  Can't wait to spend some quality time with my family and friends from back home!

14. Skiing- Hopefully there will be enough snow this year!

15. The Road Trip- I know I will complain about all the driving, but for right now I am seriously looking forward to the down time in the car with Andrew!

16. Time Off Work-  Love my job, but love my time off too!

17. Christmas Music- Tunes on the radio always put me in a good mood!

18. Hallie and Mike's New Baby- I can't wait to meet my new little nephew!  I'm gonna smother that little guy with TONS of kisses!

19. Christmas Eve Traditions- Spending Christmas Eve with Aunt Mary and our families is something I look forward to every year!

20. Cold Weather- I'm Ready... bring on the boots!

Oops!

Ok... so I may have fallen off the wagon with my thankfulness posts.  Maybe I'm not cracked up to be the blogger that I was hoping to be... sigh. 
I have been really busy the past week and half, wrapping up schoolwork and preparing for Andy's family to come visit.  Whew!  It has been a lot of work!  Cleaning, cooking, baking and visiting has been fun though! 

So... today (on Black Friday!)  I am sitting on my couch shopping online to avoid the crowds.  Did I mention that I am thankful for online shopping?  I am also thankful for the opportunity to bake pies with Sammy (my Little from Big Brothers Big Sisters), and am honored to be her "Big Sister". 

I honestly have so much to be thankful for, that I am going to forgive myself for not keeping up with my posts!  Here are some pictures from yesterday.  I am thankful for family, friends, photography, table settings, food, and love...  that should bring me up to date!  :)

Sammy Peeling and Slicing Apples

Homemade place cards... purchased the pumpkins on sale and made the flags using tooth picks and scrapbooking paper!

Our Table Centerpiece

A Close Up of our Table

Mmmmmmm........  This turkey turned out SO YUMMY!

Andrew's First Turkey Cutting

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!!

xo

Erika

11.11.11

Today I am thankful for my health and my hot tub! Bring on the weekend! Looking forward to hitting up the Fancy Flea early in the morning!!

Days 8-10 of Thankfulness

Day Eight:
I am so thankful for the book club I have started at school.  Seeing how excited the children are when they are handed a book to keep is the best feeling in the world... it takes a lot of work, but it is totally worth it!

Day Nine:
I am thankful for my ability to cook!  I love cooking and trying new recipes, and as I made my menu for Thanksgiving this year I got really excited that I get to cook all these great dishes to share with family! 

Day Ten:
Today I am thankful to be back at work after two days of being sick.  I am lucky that I am able to go to a job I love.

Thankful

Day Six: Today I am thankful for my sister. She is always there when I need her. She cheers me up and makes me laugh... Couldn't survive without her!

Day Seven: Today I am thankful for TV (and my DVR!). Sometimes a girl just needs a couch and some mindless entertainment!

Day Four and Five of Thankfulness

Day Four:
I am thankful for my two little pups.  These two little crazies bring me so much joy and happiness! 
LOVE them...

Day Five:
Today I am thankful for the many friends I have made in Lakeland.  I am lucky to have som many people that I can count on. 

A Fresh Start and Thirty Days of Thankfulness...

Here's to a fresh start... and what better way than to spend the first month of my new blog reflecting on all the things that I am thankful for in my life?  I honestly could spend WAY more than 30 days, as my life is filled with MANY blessings, but I'm going to try to keep it short!

Day One:

I am thankful for Andrew.  I know that I am loved and taken care of, and that makes me feel very grateful.  I have had a few tough weeks lately, and yet he is always there to cheer me up and make me feel better.  Thanks, honey, for being you!

Day Two:

I am thankful for my mom and dad.  There have been so many times in my life when I needed them to be there for me, and they never failed me once.  They showed me how to be a good person and how to love and be loved.  They have taught me invaluable lessons over the years, and have molded me into the person I am today. 

Day Three:

I am thankful for my job and my students.  Over the last seven years they have brought me so much joy and happiness (and craziness!).  Each year they touch my heart and teach me things I never knew.  I am so lucky to be able to call myself a teacher!


More to come...