{Christmas Eve Lights & Cozy Family Moments}

After our beautiful candlelight service at church—a night already full of peace, worship, and warmth—we weren’t quite ready to let the Christmas Eve magic fade. So once we got home, we traded our church clothes for cozy PJs,grabbed some hot chocolate and a few snacks for the road, and piled into the car for one of my favorite Christmas traditions: looking at lights. There’s just something about driving around in the quiet of the night, car filled with soft music, sipping cocoa, and being surrounded by twinkling lights that feels like pure joy. It’s simple, but it’s everything...

{Candlelight Christmas Eve Service // 2023}

There are certain traditions that anchor the holiday season for me, and our church’s Candlelight Christmas Eve service is without a doubt one of my very favorites. There’s just something so peaceful, so powerful, and so full of wonder about gathering together in worship on Christmas Eve. It’s a moment that cuts through the noise of the season and centers your heart on what truly matters.

Every year, our church puts so much thought, care, and love into creating a moving experience for Christmas Eve—and this year was no exception. From the moment we walked in the doors, you could feel the warmth and anticipation. The sanctuary glowed with soft lights and the atmosphere was filled with joy.

{Christmas Eve // 2023}

 A Quiet, Cozy Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve usually comes with a whirlwind of activity—getting dressed up, packing the car, rushing to gatherings, and trying to fit it all in. But this year? This year was beautifully different. For the first time in what feels like forever, we had nowhere to be on Christmas Eve day. No schedule. No obligations. Just a quiet day at home, and honestly—it was exactly what our hearts needed.

{Christmas at the Stowells}

Christmas with family—honestly, is there anything better? It’s hands-down my favorite time of year. There’s just something so special about coming together, slowing down, and soaking in those moments with the people you love most. The lights, the food, the laughter—it all just feels like home.

This year felt a little different, though. A little more tender. A little more precious....

{Christmas Cookies at Nana’s: A Sweet Tradition We Cherish}

 There are some traditions that just make the holiday season feel complete, and for our family, Christmas cookies at Nana’s is one of those moments I look forward to every single year. It’s the sweetest tradition—both literally and figuratively—and one that brings so much joy, laughter, and togetherness in the days leading up to Christmas.

{Friendsmas Fiesta}

Saturday was our 2nd annual Friendsmas, and honestly—it was nothing short of amazing. We decided to spice things up (literally!) this year with a fiesta theme to go along with the delicious tamales we had made the night before. It was the perfect combination of fun, flavor, and festive chaos in the best way possible.

{Tamales, Laughter, and New Traditions}

 After spending a fun-filled day with the family soaking up all the Christmas magic, we wrapped things up in the best way possible—gathering at a friend’s house to make tamales for our upcoming Christmas celebration!

{Christmas Family Fun Day // SNOW at the Galleria}

 Every year since Mason was a baby, I’ve made it a point to take a Friday off in December to spend a special day with him and Nate. It’s one of those traditions that started small, but has grown into something we all look forward to year after year. Life gets busy, especially around the holidays, but carving out this one day—just for festive fun and quality time—has become one of my absolute favorite things we do as a family.

Over the years, we’ve made so many sweet memories on these special Fridays. We’ve visited the Gaylord ICE exhibit (which was so cool—literally!), picked out our tree at a Christmas tree farm, visited Santa at Bass Pro Shop, explored Christmas-themed restaurants, and more. We usually sprinkle in some Christmas shopping at the mall, enjoy a festive meal somewhere, and always, always end the night with hot chocolate and a drive around town to look at Christmas lights. There’s something so magical about those quiet drives, sipping something warm, with holiday music playing in the background.

{Christmas party with friends}

 One of the things I look forward to every year is Nate’s company’s Christmas shutdown. It’s such a gift—several days off (paid!) to relax, recharge, and soak in the holiday season. Some years it’s a full two weeks, other times it’s a little more or a little less, but no matter how long it is, we cherish every bit of it. It feels like a deep breath at the end of a busy year, giving us time to be fully present as a family and make the most of the holidays.

And before the official break even begins, there's a little tradition that kicks things off in the best way: a big gathering at Fat Daddy’s on the last workday of the year. It’s become the way to start the season with laughter, music, and the kind of laid-back celebration that sets the tone for the days to come. Friends from Nate’s work—and their wives —come together to unwind, catch up, and welcome the Christmas break with open arms (and probably a drink or two).

{A Santa Mug, a Glowing Tree, and All the Christmas Feels}

 There’s something so simple yet magical about this photo—a cheerful little Santa mug sitting in front of the Christmas tree, lights twinkling in the background, everything soft and glowing. It might not be a big, elaborate moment, but it perfectly captures what I love most about this season: the coziness, the warmth, and the little pockets of joy tucked into everyday life.

{Christmas Vacation with JGM // 1st annual}

 This year, one of our amazing Jeep Girl Mafia advisors kicked off a brand-new tradition that I hope sticks around for many holidays to come—a group trip to the movies to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! As soon as I heard the plan, I knew I had to be there. That movie is one of my all-time Christmas favorites, and the thought of seeing it on the big screen with my Jeep girlfriends sounded like the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

{Annual Polar Express weekend // All Aboard!!}

 And then it was time for the main event—the absolute star of the weekend: riding the Polar Express! No matter how many times we’ve done it, it never loses its wonder. If I had to choose just one word to describe the Polar Express experience, it would be pure MAGIC.

{Annual Polar Express weekend // Grinch's Lair}

 Saturday is always the biggest, most exciting day of our Polar Express weekend—and it all kicks off with one of our favorite stops: the Grinch’s Lair!

{Annual Polar Express weekend // Friday}

 This past weekend was our annual Polar Express Weekend, and it was every bit as magical as always! This tradition is one of my very favorite parts of the Christmas season. It’s one of those weekends where we slow down, soak in the holiday spirit, and make memories together as a family.

{Yearly Christmas Ornament}

 Every year, Mason’s Nana gives each of the grandkids a special Christmas ornament that represents something meaningful from their year. It’s become a treasured family tradition—one that adds an extra layer of joy and sentimentality to the holiday season.

{White Christmas at the Texas Theater}

 Yesterday, I got to be part of one of the sweetest, most heartwarming afternoons I’ve had in a long time. Nate’s grandma—whom we all lovingly call NeNaw—had a special outing with her assisted living community, and I was so honored to tag along.

{12/2 Hockey Game}

 After spending the afternoon surrounded by laughter, sweets, and the sweet women in my family at our annual Christmas baking party, I slipped out a bit early—but for a very special reason. I didn’t want to miss Mason’s hockey game.

{Our 9th Annual Family Christmas Baking Party}

 This past Saturday was one of those days that fills your heart to the brim—our 9th annual family Christmas baking party. It’s a tradition that has become one of my absolute favorite days of the entire year. I count down to it every year, knowing it’ll be a night full of laughter, memories, and all the joy the holiday season brings.

{Waxahachie Wednesday // Celebrity Diner and Bakery}

For this week's Waxahachie Wednesday, I’m excited to spotlight the cutest little café tucked right in the heart of downtown Waxahachie, Texas—Celebrity Diner and Bakery. If you’re ever strolling around the charming town square, this cozy gem is an absolute must-visit.

{THANKSGIVING AT THE HALLS // 2023}

 Thanksgiving at the Halls was such a sweet and special time. There’s nothing quite like gathering with family—sharing stories, laughter, and of course, a table full of incredible food. Every dish was made with love, and let me tell you, we all left with full hearts and full plates!

{BITS OF CHRISTMAS CHEER}

 This week we started adding some Christmas cheer around the house, and I can’t even begin to explain how happy it makes me. Just a few twinkling lights, a wreath here, a festive pillow there—and suddenly everything feels a little more magical.

{Friendsgiving 2023}

We had our very first annual Friendsgiving this year—and it was everything we hoped for and more. What started as a simple idea turned into a night full of warmth, laughter, and love. This incredible group of friends has become like family to us, and we're so grateful for the bond we've built together.

{JGM Ellis County Meet}

 I’ve mentioned this before, but I am incredibly proud to serve as the Vice President of one of the largest all-female Jeep clubs in the world! We started right here in the DFW area, and it’s been amazing to watch how quickly our club has grown to include members from all across the country, reaching all 50 states. What began as a small, local community of passionate Jeep owners has turned into a nationwide sisterhood of strong, adventurous women who share a love for off-roading, exploring, and supporting each other every step of the way.

{DSMHL Hockey Game}

 After our visit with NeNaw, we headed out to Frisco for Mason’s hockey game, and it was such an exciting experience! We were all looking forward to the game, especially since it was taking place at the same rink where the Dallas Stars practice. The atmosphere at the rink was electric, and it was a bit surreal to think about the professional players who train in that very space. It was a special feeling, knowing that Mason was getting the chance to skate on the same ice where some of his favorites play.

{Taking NeNaw a World Series Shirt}

 When the Texas Rangers won the World Series, it wasn’t just a victory for the team — it was a special moment for our family, especially for Nathan and his grandmother, our beloved NeNaw.

{Texas Rangers World Series Parade // 2023}

 When we first heard the exciting news that the Texas Rangers were going to have a World Series Parade, we immediately knew we had to be there! Opportunities like this don’t come around every day, and we didn’t want to miss the chance to be a part of such a historic moment. Without hesitation, I requested the day off from work, and we quickly made plans for the parade.

{World Series Champions // 2025}

 The Texas Rangers Are World Freakin’ Champions!

{Halloween // 2023}

 This year, for Halloween, we decided to switch things up and join our friends for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. From the moment we arrived, we could tell it was going to be a memorable night. The neighborhood was buzzing with excitement, and the atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter, chatter, and the occasional creak of a skeleton in the yard.

{DALLAS STARS OPEN PRACTICE}

A few times a year the Dallas Stars host a practice that is open to the public. We were lucky enough to get to attend this past weekend. It was our first one, so we weren't sure what to expect. Now we know to get there early, bring something for autographs (and a sharpie), and know the prime spots. We still had a good time and it was fun to see the team a little up close and personal.

{Halloween Party with the Family}

 We had the most wonderful little family gathering for Halloween, and it was filled with so much fun and laughter. It’s always special to spend time with loved ones, and this year we really made the most of the holiday by creating some great memories.

{TRICK OR TREAT THE SQUARE // 2023}

Mason joined his Nana and his cousins for trick or treating on the historic downtown square. I had to work and was not able to join. I'm thankful for Nana to help carry on this sweet little Halloween-time tradition. 

{OPEN HOCKEY WITH FRIENDS}

Over the weekend Mason attended an open hockey session with his friends. He has met the greatest friends and I just adore the bond that they have. I can't wait to watch them play together for years to come. 

{DSMHL GAME // 2023}

 Mason had a DSMHL (Dallas Stars Metro Hockey League) hockey game over the weekend and played so well. He also had a big fan club for this game! I'm so grateful for those who support him in his passion and love him so well. 

 

{FAMILY DAY AT NATE'S WORK // 23}

This past Saturday we attended Family Day at Nate's work. We always look forward to this event every few years. They have so many activities for the kids, giveaways, crafts, hands-on stem-type activities, cool military vehicles to climb in, robotics, and so much more. It's always fun to see where Nate spends his work days and what they do! The place is incredible!! 

{SCREAMS HALLOWEEN PARK // 2023}

Nate and I took Mason and two friends to our local Halloween Park for a night of scares and fun! These boys were hilarious to watch and so much fun. We had VIP passes so we were able to skip long lines and enjoy the haunted houses as many times as we wanted. 

{Dallas Stars Opening Day // 2023}

After the green carpet event, we went to the Dallas Stars home opener game! The Stars hockey games are always so electric and so much fun. There's literally no sporting event that can compare to the excitement of a hockey game. And this is coming from a lifelong, die-hard baseball fan! 

 

{Dallas Stars Green Carpet // 2023}

One of the coolest events we have ever attended was the Dallas Stars Green Carpet! Nate and I took off work to take Mason and it was well worth it!! We weren't sure what to expect since it was our first time and it far exceeded any of our expectations!! 

{SURPRISING MASON WITH OPENING DAY STARS TICKETS}

Nathan and I heard about this really neat thing the Dallas Stars do called "The Green Carpet". It's where the players walk the green carpet up to the arena and often times they will stop for pictures or autographs. Nathan and I bought tickets for opening day (game) and took off work to take Mason to the green carpet event before the game. We decided to surprise Mason about the game & event in a different kind of way...

{BITS OF FALL}

It's my favorite time of the year!! The "ber" months and all things fall have my heart. I'm a little later this year, but starting to get out my fall decor. Here are a few bits of fall on my porch.

{MASON // OPEN HOCKEY}

Mason and his friends attended another open hockey at our home rink. I love it when they all get together to put in some extra time on the ice. They work hard but they sure have fun! They practically had the whole ice to themselves. 

{CALIFORNIA // DAY FOUR // NEW BRIGHTON STATE BEACH}

 After the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Nate, Mason, and I decided to explore the area a bit more. We drove around Santa Cruz, visited some thrift stores, and then decided to find a beach. 

 

{CALIFORNIA // DAY FOUR // SANTA CRUZ BOARDWALK}

On day four of our California trip, we headed over to Santa Cruz for a day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! 

{CALIFORNIA // DAY THREE // PROSPERITY'S SWEET 16}

 Day three was a day dedicated to our Prosperity girl for her sweet 16 birthday celebration! We spent the day getting ready together in the Airbnb before heading over to the venue. 

{CALIFORNIA // DAY TWO // SHARK TANK, SF STADIUM, WINERY, MONTEREY}

On the morning of our 2nd day, we went our separate ways again. The family of the birthday girl had party things to take care of. So, we got out to explore some more. We started out at the Shark Tank (SAP Center) where the San Jose Sharks play hockey. 

{CALIFORNIA // DAY ONE // TESLA, SAN FRANCISCO, GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE}

 We arrived in California mid-morning yesterday. After a stressful couple of hours in the rental car line and at the desk, we got our rental and were on our way. Long story short, they were low on cars. The original car we rented wasn't available so they upgraded us to a Tesla at no extra cost to us. We didn't tell Mason because we wanted to surprise him. He's always been a Tesla fan! 

 

{California, here we come!!}

 California, here we come!!! 

{Mason // Open Hockey}

 Warning!!! There will be tons of hockey posts on this blog from here on out. :) I think it will be so fun to look back at these posts a year or two to see how far Mason has come in his hockey journey!

Mason joined in another open hockey session at his rink. These are such great developmental sessions for him. Kids that have been playing for years come to these sessions and they seem to take the newbies under their wings. They've been so kind and have helped Mason so much.  

{Carson's baseball game}

Our nephews play baseball and we love catching as many games as we can. We are a baseball family, through and through. Nathan played from like 3 years old through college. Unfortunately, Mason didn't care much for the sport. We are happy that we still get our baseball fix through our nephews. 

{TEXAS A&M VS TCU HOCKEY GAME}

Our hockey rink is the home ice to a couple of different college teams in our area. After the parent/child open hockey, we stayed to watch the Texas A&M vs TCU hockey game. The college games are so excited and we have enjoyed watching them when we can. 

 

{Mason // hockey game}

We had a busy Saturday! It kicked off with Mason's hockey game. Mason played so well and might have even earned himself a penalty! I mean, it's a right of passage for hockey players. Right?? You can see the penalty in the video below. Oh boy! This is going to be a fun season. 

{PARENT / CHILD OPEN HOCKEY}

Another neat thing our hockey rink does is "parent/child open hockey" sessions. It's a block of time where parents can take the ice with their kids. Mason tries to talk Nate into it every chance that he can. Nate is always happy to oblige. It's fun to watch them on the ice together and it's such great bonding time for them.