{First trail ride in the new Jeep}

Back in November when we camped in East Texas {Palestine/Rusk area} we took the Jeep on a few trail rides. It was our first time to actually take it off-road and we had a blast! The trails were nothing too strenuous and were marked trails. But, nonetheless we had an amazing time. This was also before we lifted the Jeep and put bigger tires on it. We are chomping at the bit to hit some more trails now that the upgrades have been done!!

{5 Things Bringing me Joy // vol. 5}

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

- Romans 12:12 (NIV)

It's time for one of my favorite link-ups...Five Things Bringing Me Joy Right Now! We absolutely loved reading all of the posts last month and sharing in the simple joys of life with you. Life can get so busy yet mundane and it's always good to find the joy in the day to day. We all have something bringing us joy, right? We would love for you to join us in sharing your joy.

{A Jeepin' Good Christmas}

We bought this red Jeep at just the right time! It has been a blast decorating it with all the Christmas things! Since our Polar Express trip we have been driving around with the reindeer antlers {see shadow above} and Rudolph nose. I love how happy it makes little kids every where we go. They smile and point and yell "there's Rudolph". Especially at Mason's school! We also have light up Christmas lights hanging from the rear-view mirror and tinsel around the steps and antenna! Oh, and a light-up Christmas wreath on the rear spare tire! So festive, I tell you. And my little Christmas loving heart couldn't be more full. Anyhow, just wanted to share some pictures of the Jeepin' Good Christmas season we've had!

{Making Christmas magical with PNP // Portable North Pole}

This post is sponsored by PNP. All opinions are 100% my own.

If you know me at all or have read my blog for any amount of time then you probably already know this, but I absolutely love Christmas time and I am all about making it as magical as can be for Mason. I've shared on the blog before 25 Ways to Keep the Magic in Christmas and one of my favorite activities on that list is making a personalized video message using the Portable North Pole console. Being a kid at Christmas is spectacular and amazing, but watching the magic of Christmas through Mason's eyes is a million times better! Oh how I love being a Mama!!

{Camping in the fall // Rusk & Palestine TX}

If you've read my blog for any amount of time you'd know that we are campers! We love to visit new places and camp while doing so. I love camping any time of the year, but especially in the fall. There is just something about the cooler weather that makes it so much more enjoyable. You're probably wondering why I am talking about fall when it's in the dead of winter for most. Well, we live in Texas and our weather is pretty bipolar. We are still having summer like days as well as fall like days around here. We've only had a couple of days that felt like winter so far. But for the most part, it's still fall here in Texas.

{Little Letters // vol. 12}

Time for the Little Letters link-up with Kristin at Taz and Belly!!  I am a little {okay, a lot} late in posting this, but we've been so busy lately. But, I didn't want to miss a month, so better late than never. Right?? This is one of my favorite monthly link-ups that I always look forward to. And actually, every month I love this link-up a little more. To read my past Little Letters click H E R E. It feels so good to get these random little thoughts out of my mind each month! Here are my letters for this month...

{Polar Express 2017}

Way back before Thanksgiving we rode on the Polar Express train ride in Palestine, TX! I mentioned it briefly in a 2017 Winter Bucket list post, here, but wanted to share more pictures from the weekend. We always get our tickets to Polar Express for November because our December is way too crazy! And, I love that it introduces us to the Christmas season a little earlier than normal!

{Our Family's Christmas Traditions}

In my recent Five Things Bringing me Joy right now post I mentioned that traditions are my jam and in doing so I realized that I haven't shared our family's Christmas traditions since 2013. We've changed a bit and added so many more traditions since then, so it was time to update that list. Here are our family's current Christmas traditions...

{2017 Winter Bucket list // Update #1 // Parade, Tree farm, Polar Express, Grinch, Santa}

It's barely December and we've already completed 53% of our 2017 Winter Bucket List! We can't help it. We love the holidays something fierce around here. That gives us the whole month of December to complete the other 47% of our list. I have no doubts that we'll finish this fun winter list, plus some. Here is what we have crossed off our 2017 Winter Bucket List so far...

But bear with me...this is going to be a long post. We've covered a lot of Christmas ground lately.

{TBB Asks // Holiday Themed Q&A}

I'm a little late on getting this posted, but better late than never right?? At least that is what I am going with. I love everything Christmas-y so I wasn't passing this one up. I also love to read about how other people celebrate the holidays!! Here are my Holiday themed answers...