Making a list; checking it twice...

It is THAT time of year! That time when we start madly gearing up for our (now) Annual Consumer Fast!! And that means I have been making a ridiculous amount of lists to get ready. For the entire month of January, we make the decision to not spend any money on extras. Right before the month begins we buy any household items we may need, as well as make our monthly grocery shopping trip, and then we hunker down. No going out to eat. No impulse purchases. No extras. We spend the month seeking out the free activities around us, learning to enjoy what we have more, and exercising more self control. We of course pay the bills as usual, and we do have to leave wiggle room for medical emergencies, but it really has become a great tradition for us to take this first month of the year off from spending. It is amazing how many things you can decide you DON'T need when you have an entire month to think about the purchase. 

So, any crazy takers to fast with us?

I promise, it is FUN:)

Good.

 I woke up to this face.

 I got to play with these girls.

 I got to take in this beautiful scene.

And it was Good.

Very Good.

Ode to my wee Bubs

 The two men in my life.

 Ridiculously adorable bed head.

 Still a sweet gummy smile on top.

 Feasting on the only manly book we own.

 Making mischief.

 Snuggling with mommy.

My sweet, handsome son. 

Life Is Good.

Random Shots

Just a few more pictures from the last few weeks that make me smile.

 Dentist trip. Perfect check up!

 Baby Boy scooting around the floor.

 Technology is exhausting:) 

Or maybe it was all the fun we were having at grandma and grandpa's house!

(oh, yeah, did I mention we took a 12 day trip to NC in November? oops.)

 Trying out mama's eyes.

 Loving on my baby.

And this little family of ours just keeps on growing!

I'm going to miss all this cuteness when it is over.

A perfect fall day.

They don't happen often, but the day after Thanksgiving was practically perfect. There was pumpkin pie for breakfast (a post Thanksgiving must around here), leaf piles to play in, a sweet little family hike, honey sticks at our favorite local farm while we looked at animals and freshly cut Christmas trees, and warm turkey soup with rolls for dinner. Bliss.

Goose was our star of the day. Nothing but smiles. How could you be otherwise on such a day?

art round up

Some recent works by the ladies of the house:

Our dining room has officially become the art room. We now only eat in there on special occasions, and the girls have free reign with their crayons, stamps, play dough, and paints the rest of the time. They like having the space to create, and I like the free time it gives me for little projects around the house. Sweet trade if you ask me.

snuggle bugs

This is what happens when you make smoothies for breakfast when it is 30 degrees outside:

You get snuggle bugs. The only bugs I let stay in the house:)