Welcome to High Five for Friday – hosted by me, Tif, Della, and Caitlin! If you want to know more, read about it here!
Some Housekeeping! We’ll be all back to normal next week with a featured blogger. We weren’t sure how many would join us today, so thought it was best to save the featured blogger shout out for a day when we have our usual numbers. Also, keep your eyes out next week for a new link up tool. Still easy to use, but a new look! Get those nice thumbnail pictures ready.
Second, our next H54F Hangout will be January 14! Mark your calendars now. Can’t wait to hang with you all!
I’ve missed you all over the last few weeks, but shoot! I really have loved our Christmas break. It was glorious. But I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things next week. And I can’t wait to hear how your holidays went!
Here’s what I’ve been up to!
In the week leading up to Christmas, I tried my best to sneak in some family fun! My husband was off that week, and he so rarely has time completely off, so we wanted to make the most of it. One highlight was hitting the Hillsborough Riverwalk. It’s this lovely paved path along a large river, through the woods. We chose to walk a half mile section that took us from the cute downtown to a playground. We had a blast and can’t wait to go back!
Christmas Eve was so busy. In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t crammed so much in. The morning was spent cleaning and packing to go out of town. Then we squeezed in dinner before a 5PM Christmas Eve service. Then it was hustle home for present opening and stocking hanging.
We had tamales, black beans and rice for Christmas Eve dinner, which gave someone a messy face.
One of Elizabeth’s favorite presents was a doll cradle. She is such a little mommy!
She also hasn’t stopped using her new art easel! It will be a source for fun for a long time.
Hanging the stocking was also tons of fun this year, because Elizabeth could actually reach the hook! And in our house, at least for now, Santa only brings gifts for the stocking, not the whole present load. (I’d like some credit for all the present buying and wrapping!)
Christmas morning wasn’t as rushed as I thought it would be. We had a yummy breakfast of the Pioneer Woman’s Baked French Toast Casserole, and then we loaded the car to head up to my in-laws home for a few days. We made it up there in time for lunch and we just had a delightful time!
It’s fair to say that after presents from everyone, Elizabeth has become a present opening expert!
It was so strange for this midwest girl, but it was warm and sunny enough while up at Virginia Beach that we went to the beach for the afternoon! Elizabeth splashed around in the surf and sand with her granddaddy and daddy, while nana and I rocked in rocking chairs, taking in the sea breeze. It was weird, but lovely! Elizabeth, in this picture, was completely soaked, and covered in sand. She had a blast!
But Christmas was a tad intense and tiring for our little girl. She was zonked on the drive back home!
My family flew down Monday and just left yesterday. It was so much fun having all this family time! It rained the ENTIRE time my family was here in NC… so we didn’t really leave the house, but that suited Grandma and Grandpa just fine 🙂 Plenty of play time with Elizabeth!
We also had something really exciting happen this week, BUT I’m saving that for next week on the blog. Stay tuned!
As much fun as we had over Christmas, I’m really looking forward to getting back into the routine. And catching up with friends! I’m so used to seeing friends and having play dates during the week that going a few weeks without the usual hangouts is strange!
I also plan on keeping ALL of our Christmas decorations up until at least the 6th. That’s just the way it will be.
Can’t wait to hear what you were up to this Christmas!! And what’s your first To Do for the New Year? Let me know!
Fellow bloggers – ready to join in the link up? Just write a blog post about 5 things that made this week awesome! Add your link to your blog post down below (make sure it’s your blog post, not your blog home page!). And then grab the H54F button to add to your post! And go visit at least 3 fellow link uppers AND this week’s featured blogger! It’s just the nice thing to do.
And be sure to tag your posts/pics on social media with #H54F! We really do try to make the rounds and like, comment, retweet, etc! It’s so much fun to support one another, isn’t it?
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I’m also linking up with Oh Hey, Friday, Meet @ the Barre, 5 on Friday & Diary of a Real Housewife
Yay! Loved the peek into your Christmas fun! That shot of Elizabeth hanging her stocking is just too precious. <3 The incredibly warm, wet and balmy Christmas week was a little weird for me too. I've lived in the South for the past 15 Christmases, but the humidity was just too much! 🙂
We had tons of fun! This Christmas was a blast watching it through her eyes. Such a treat! Happy New Year!
Elizabeth is beautiful! I love that she could play in the surf, I am jealous over that. My first thing to tackle today? Drink a BIG glass of water first thing – time to get rid of my Christmas weight gain. xo sweet lady! Happy 2016! Amanda
Hahaha YES! I drank so much water last night. Need to do more today for sure. Happy New Year to you!!!
Loved seeing the pictures of Elizabeth. She is such a doll. I agree it would be weird to spend Christmas by an ocean but I think I could get used to it 🙂 Glad you had a great holiday.
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There are worse things in life than beach time at Christmas, right? Seems unnatural, but it was fun!! Happy New Year!
I’m exhausted just reading about your Christmas week! Elizabeth looks beautiful in her plaid dress! I was very excited to get a chalkboard/art easel as a kid, so I totally understand Elizabeth’s excitement 🙂 How awesome that you guys got to spend some time at the beach over the holidays!!
It was exhausting! Next year we’ve already announced we are not traveling anywhere. It was just too much and it made Christmas Eve and Christmas morning too rushed. It was fun! But rushed. Happy new year!!
Looks like you guys had a wonderful holiday season! Elizabeth is so adorable! I am glad she enjoyed her gifts and had a fun time! It is always nice when the little ones tucker out and have a good sleep. Looking forward to your exciting news next week!
Thank you!! And yes, there is nothing more satisfying than a tired child after a fun day of play ? happy new year!!
You had such a fun Christmas! Can’t wait to hear what’s new next week! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you!!
Loved every picture and description here. Your blog is always happy, happy place. Rain, here in Charlotte too. Like Every. Single. Day. It will be nice for a break this coming week to dry things out. Happy New Year.
Thank you 🙂 and it’s so nice to have sunshine today!! About time!!