What we gave our moms

One side features the appropriate kid and mom, and the other, Shawn and I.

Now that Christmas is over,  and our mom's have indeed received their packages, I want to share our gift to them: Lockets. My hubby bought me a bracelet for my birthday, and onto it I attached a silver locket with he and I on one side, and Bully on the other. 

This way I can bring my family to work with me without having them sit in the breakroom with coloring books.

I got the DIY charms from Anthropologie, of course, and thought this would be a great little gift for someone we love, but simply can't see all the time. So I shopped lockets, consulted a mother or two on which one she thought our moms would like, and shrunk some pics at Walgreens. I started the project and the Hubbs finished it. I came home to the image of him sitting at the dining room table, wearing my shuffle (with earphones), cutting the tiny pics into little ovals. 

SO CUTE. 

I should have taken a picture.

Christmas Tree

This year we wanted a real tree. With real smells and sap. It make is feel like our little family is complete and ready to celebrate Christmas. I grew up with big extended family holidays, so I just wanted to make it feel like home by starting our own traditions.
    Decorating trees is expensive! With the skirt, the stand, ornaments and the lights and the trips for extra lights, it all added up. I think it is worth it. From the fabulous senior tree lot lady at Home Depot to plugging in the tree topper, it's the experience that counts.
This one is from a friend who knew we called each other "penguins":

 This is from 2010 and my love of nesting dolls:

 This is from our friends Alison & Luke, as a wedding present:

 New fish and octopus because we decided on a "sea" theme:

 From my cousin & her family as a wedding present: