{Go Stars!! // Mason's first hockey game}

A couple weeks ago, we went to the Dallas Stars game with our group of friends (guys from Nate's work + their spouses) and we had so much fun! There were 20-something of us, taking up three rows in section 330! 

 

{Elf on the Shelf // How we do it + Planning}

Let me preface this by saying that Mason is still a believer. I'm holding on as long as I can and will do everything in my power to be a magic maker for him! With that being said, I've shared on the blog before about how we do the Elf on the Shelf around here. Our elves are used to encourage good behavior, help bring extra magic to the season, teach random acts of kindness, etc.,  all while pointing Mason back to Jesus and the reason for the season.  Sure, our elves may get a little silly at times but they are not here to make messes and bring mischief. They are used as a tool to spread light and love throughout the Christmas season. 

{Christmas Magic // Max, Millie, & Cubbie // 2022}

They're back...

{Branson, MO Trip - Part 3 // Around Town & Celebrity Car Museum // 2022}

On Saturday, we decided to head to the shops downtown in Branson. I wanted to see a specific area I had seen in pictures. I later realized that we weren't even in the right spot. That's okay, we still enjoyed our time/day.

{Branson, MO Trip - Part 2 // Silver Dollar City // 2022}

Next up on our Branson trip was Silver Dollar City!! We've read that no trip to Branson (during Christmas time) was complete without a stop to Silver Dollar City! And after seeing so many photos, I knew they had to be right. Over 6.5 million Christmas lights? Yes, please!! We loaded up in our vehicles and headed to SDC, which was just a few miles away. As we are approaching we see signs that say "all parking lots full - come back after 6:30 pm," Excuse me? What???? We had just purchased almost $300 in tickets for the park for that specific day...

 

{Branson, MO Trip - Part 1 // Road Trip & Bass Pro // 2022}

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to visit Branson at Christmas time. I've always seen pictures of how beautiful everything looks around this time of year and it looked like a place I needed to experience. Christmas is so special to my heart and my favorite time of year. So, this year we made that happen!! 

{December 2022 // Goals)

 Last month I shared some goals on the blog for probably the first time. Well, the first time in a long time. I think I might keep this up! Here's a look at both what I accomplished/didn't as well as new goals for the month of December. 

{Thanksgiving // 2022}

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year. We celebrated the holiday at Nate's parent's house with his entire family, aunt, and Grandmother. It was a sweet day filled with precious moments. I didn't get to see my parents & siblings this year and while that made me a bit sad, I knew they were exactly where they needed to be. My dad was in Tennessee celebrating Thanksgiving with his dad. I know that filled his heart to the brim and so my heart was happy for them. We weren't able to travel to Tennessee this year due to work. I had to work Mon-Wednesday and then had to work 3-4 hours on Thanksgiving morning. My heart was there in spirit! 

Nenaw & her boys

{EXTERIOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & CHRISTMAS PORCH //2022}

 Christmas lights just make my heart so happy! I love pulling up to the house in the evening and seeing it all lit up! This year we opted to buy new Christmas lights for the exterior of the house.  I think we have been using the same set of lights since we bought the house (in 2007).  It was time! While I love looking at all lights, I love all white for our home. Nate was so kind to get them up before Thanksgiving so that I could enjoy them longer!! 

 

{Currently // December 2022}

Linking up with Jennifer for the "currently" series. For December, we are sharing what we are currently loving, gifting, wrapping, hoping, and attending. 

{ADVENT // 2022}

Advent to the Christian family is a time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of Christ. It reminds us to set aside some time during the busyness of the season and to reflect on the miracle that is Jesus. He is the reason for the season. 

If I am being honest, we do many different types of Advent calendars around here.  There's something special about counting down to Christmas in different ways that make my heart so incredibly happy! Of course,  the most important is a scripture calendar. We do several of those along with a Lego Advent, candy advent, and sometimes a book advent. Here's a look at our Advent calendars for 2022 and how we do the Advent season. 

{Christmas Bucketlist // 2022}

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! 

I am really looking forward to the holidays this year. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. There's just nothing that compares to the magic and the spirit of Christmas. I am in love with all of our traditions this time of year. Here's a look at everything on our list.  

{Bits of Gratitude // Week 4}

 Happy Thursday and Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you have the most beautiful day with the ones you love. Here are five things I am thankful for this week. 

{Thanksgiving with NeNaw // 2022}

Last week, Mason, Nate, and I were blessed to go to Nate's Grandmother's Thanksgiving dinner at her assisted living. They only allowed 4 guests per resident, but because Nate's mom is a volunteer there, we were able to bring Mason as well. He started not feeling well though and ended up going out to the Jeep to lie down. We know now that he was getting a cold. Anyhow, the dinner and the evening was just wonderful. I love any chance we get to have family time.  

{THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS MOVIE CHECKLIST}

 If you're anything like my family, Christmas movies are fair game come November!! We love Christmas movies so incredibly much. Yesterday I was out and about and found the absolute cutest t-shirts at Five Below. They say "Wanted" and has a picture of Harry and Marv and says "Wet Bandits". I had to get one for both Mason and myself. Home Alone is one of our favorites! Anyhow, that got my wheels turning about Christmas movies!! I wanted to make a list so that we make sure not to miss any of our favorites this year. 

{Bits of Gratitude // Week 3}

Happy Thankful Thursday!! Another beautiful day to reflect on five things I am grateful for this week! 

{Halloween Bucketlist 2022 // Final Update}

  We checked off all of the things on our Halloween Bucketlist for 2022. And, we had so much fun doing so! I love the month of October and this season and all of the fun things we do together as a family. I just wish Texas would get the "hey it's fall" memo and cool the temps for us. It just doesn't feel right doing all the fall things in the 90-degree weather! We made the most of it, though! Here's a look at the last two items on our Halloween bucket list. 

  

{Mavs vs Nets Game // By the Numbers}

 Many of you already know that I love a good "post by the numbers"! I'm not sure why...I guess it's the nerd inside of me! ha. Anyhow, I wanted to share the numbers from the Mavs vs Nets game we went to! There were too many numbers involved to not post about them! ha

{Weekend Wrap-up // Nov 2022}

This is probably going to be the most boring weekend wrap-up post ever, seeing as I didn't take any pictures. Why is it always the good weekends that we fail to take pictures of? I guess I was too busy being present to even think about documenting it! Anyhow, here's a look at our weekend. 

 

{Mavs vs Nets Basketball Game // 2022}

I posted here how we pulled off a pretty great surprise for Mason with tickets to the Dallas Mavericks vs the Brooklyn Nets basketball game. We went to the game on Monday, November 7th, and had the most amazing time!! Everything about the night was just perfect!! 

{Bits of Gratitude // Week 2}

 Happy Thankful Thursday!! Time to share five things that I am thankful for this week. 

{One Epic Surprise // Mavs vs Nets // Reveal}

 Mason has really gotten into basketball over the years. One of his favorite teams is the Brooklyn Nets due to many of his favorite players being on that team. Well, we saw that the Nets were playing the Mavericks here in Dallas and knew we had to get tickets. We wanted to surprise him! Nate and I actually pulled off the most epic surprise.

 

{THREE APPS FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN}

 Lately, I have been sharing posts on Instagram and Facebook during my quiet/Bible study time. Usually, I will share a photo of my Bible wherever I am reading from and include a scripture (and sometimes a short devotional). I have gotten so many messages from friends asking questions like what Bible I have, what I use for Bible study, how to get started, etc. I thought I would make a post sharing the apps I use and how I use them.   

{Currently // November 2022}

 Linking up with Jennifer for the "currently" series. This month we are sharing what we are currently borrowing, buying, planning, prepping, and reading. Here's a look at what I am currently up to. 

{Halloween Party at Midtowne // 2022}

Immediately following our Trick or Treat on the Square event, we went to Nathan's Grandmother's assisted living for a Halloween party!! It was so precious and fun. They had the place decorated so cute, candy for the residents to pass out to the kiddos, games, popcorn, treats, punch, etc. It was a beautiful time with the family!! 

{Bits of Gratitude // Week 1}

 Happy "Thankful Thursday", y'all! I am going to take Thursdays this month to list 5 things I am grateful for this week! 

  

{TRICK OR TREATING THE TOWN SQUARE// 2022}

Every year our town puts on a trick-or-treat event on the town square. Most of the businesses on the square, the city hall, local businesses not on the square, the police/sheriff dept,  etc. all set up tables around the square and pass out candy to the kiddos. It's such a fun time with the most beautiful setting. I may be biased, but I truly believe we have one of the cutest town squares and an amazing old courthouse! It truly is a beautiful thing to see all of these businesses come together for the kids. They pass out so much candy. Mason had a fairly large bag and it was filled to the brim!!   

{November 2022 // Goals}

I thought I'd try something different on the blog and list some goals for the month of November. Something to help keep me accountable and to see if I can accomplish what I set my mind to.  Of course, I will give myself some grace on the things I don't accomplish - because who needs that kind of stress? 

{Halloween Spooktacular Camping Weekend at Great Escapes // 2022}

Our Halloween Spooktacular camping weekend at Great Escapes was such a blast! It was the best of both worlds for me because I had my in-laws, my parents, and my sister & her family there! I love it when we can get both sides of the family together. We were able to get campsites right next to each other and it made my heart so happy! We've definitely got to do this more often. Here's a look at our spooktacular weekend...

 

{Halloween Spooktacular Camping By the Numbers // 2022}

 Anytime we go on a trip I like to document the trip by numbers. I'm not sure why, but these posts always intrigue me. Here's a look at our Halloween Spooktacular camping trip in numbers.  

{Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm with friends // 2022}

A couple of weeks ago we visited Shadow Creek pumpkin patch with some of our dearest friends. Most of these friends are friends of Nate (from work) and their families. It's pretty awesome because not only do the husbands all get along, but the wives have become great friends and the kids all get along and like each other as well. What a blessing that is! We were missing a couple families on this day, sadly! 

 

{Mason's 2022 Halloween Costume}

We finally found Mason's costume for this Halloween!! We had been looking online for a couple of weeks and everywhere was sold out of his size with no signs of it coming back in stock. We were starting to get worried. I mean, if you can't find something on Amazon it's basically non-existent, right?!?! We saw online that this particular costume was available in some Spirit Halloween stores, so we went out on the search! I'm so happy to report that after searching a couple of Spirit stores we found it, and in his size!!

Introducing Mason's 2022 Halloween costume...

{Boo Baskets // 2022}

 Making Boo Baskets/Bags each Halloween season brings me so much joy! I love creating little bags or baskets of all things Halloween to surprise our favorite people with.  I started putting together some Boo Baskets recently and I am loving how they are coming out. I can't wait to pass these out. 

{Halloween 2022 Bucketlist Update // Carve Pumpkins, Hocus Pocus Movie Night, & Haunted House}

 I know we're still a few weeks away from Halloween, but we've already put a good dent in our Halloween Bucketlist for 2022! It has been such a fun and sweet season so far! I'm soaking up these moments with my boy before he's too "big" for all these Halloween and fall traditions! I pray I still have a few more years of this! 

{FIVE ON FRIDAY // Bible Study, Mr. Beastburger, Halloween Pails, Willow's birthday, Soccer}

 Happy finally Friday!! These October days seem to be flying by at the speed of lightning! It makes me sad because October is one of my favorite months.  We got a cold front on Sunday, so the weather here has been glorious all week.  Here's a look at our week...or five random things from our week.

  

{Annual Trip to the Pumpkin Patch // 2022}

 Mason and I decided to get up super early on Wednesday (like when Nate did at 4:30am), but for good reason.  It was pumpkin patch day!! We hung out at home for a bit, he ate breakfast, and I did some chores. Then went to get coffee and head over to the pumpkin patch! Mason and I have been visiting this sweet little pumpkin patch (put on by a church in a nearby town) for 5 or so years now! It's such a special time with just he and I.  We learned from the last couple of years that going around lunchtime was 1.) really hot, 2.) the sun is too bright for pictures, and 3.) it's way too crowded, so we opted to go super early this year! Best decision ever! 

{Annual Hocus Pocus Night // 2022}

This little Hocus Pocus tradition that Mason and I have has easily become one of my favorite nights in October! I always look forward to it and he tells me that he does too! We got a bonus Hocus Pocus night this year and we're not mad about it! We love it so much!! Of course, ours was much more low-key! 

{Autumn Bucketlist 2022 / carve pumpkins, college football, pumpkin coffee, decorate the porch, pumpkin for chickens}

The weather has been so glorious lately (in the mornings and evenings) and I am soaking up every minute of it. We are chipping away at our autumn bucket list and have already done so many fun fall things! Here's a look at the things we've done so far!

{WEEKEND WRAP-UP // FRIENDS, PUMPKIN PATCH, CHURCH}

 We had such a beautiful weekend and I am sad to see it go. Weekends in the fall just hit a little different!! It was full of family, friends, fall things, football, & Jesus. Here's a look at our weekend.

{Spooky Shirley Temple // Halloween 2022}

Shirley Temples...but make them spooky! 

{Five on Friday // Bible, Buddies, Pumpkin Patchin', Blogging, and a bunch of other randomness}

Happy, happy Friday!! We did it! We made it to Friday...and that's worth celebrating! I always forget how hard the changing of the season can be. Especially when Texas can't make up its mind when it comes to the weather. My sleep schedule is crazy off right now, I'm freezing in the morning and sweating in the afternoon, and the allergies have started! Whew! Here's a look at the randomness from our week!

{Ghost Malone}

 I was scrolling either Facebook or Instagram when I ran across this shirt. I immediately went to Etsy to see if  there was an SVG for it and there was!!! It was an instant purchase/download. I like to make my own so that I can pick out the type of sweatshirt I put it on! So what was it???

 

{AUTUMN PORCH // 2022}

Decorating my porch for the seasons will forever be one of my favorite things to do! I love creating a festive, warm, and welcoming space right at the entrance of our home. And there is just so much magic in the autumn season! I love the cozy vibes that fall brings. Mason helped me decorate the porch this year and that was so special to me. I'm sure this space will change a bit throughout the season, but here is what we started with.

{SCREAMS HAUNTED HOUSES // 2022}

  I won a 4 pack of tickets to Screams -  a big Haunted House park out here in Waxahachie. It's the same grounds they use for the Scarborough Faire! There are 5 haunted houses, food, pubs & taverns, side activities, a show, etc. Ellis County Living Magazine did a contest and I was one of the winners! Mason didn't want to go so we invited our friends Keri & Michael to come with our other two tickets!! We had so much fun!

{Weekend Wrap-up // Cattle Drive, Screams, Cleaning, & Football}

 Happy Monday!! We had a pretty chill and low-key weekend and I am okay with that. From here on out, our weekends will be filled to the brim with all things fall, Halloween, and then Christmas festivities start! I am here for it, though! This is hands down my favorite time of year!! Here's a look at our weekend. 

{Five on Friday // Truth, Instagram, Sunrises}

 Happy Friday, y'all! Did this week seem super long to anyone else? I felt like it was dragging. Anyhow, I am so glad that it's Friday and so ready for the weekend.  We have a couple of things planned and I am excited. But first, it's time for Five on Friday.

 

{HALL FAMILY FALL TRADITIONS}

 There are very few things that get me as excited as the fall season! It's been a while since I have shared our Hall Family Fall traditions!  And, they've changed a bit since I last shared them. That's the beauty of traditions - some go away, some stick for a lifetime and then you make some new ones along the way! Traditions truly are my jam. I love the nostalgia of revisiting something each year but also making new memories with that tradition. There's so much beauty in it! 

{Halloween Charcuterie Board}

 For the Hocus Pocus night, I made a Halloween themed charcuterie board. I think it came out so great. Nate and I just went through the seasonal sections and picked out everything we thought people would like! I found these little witch hats at the dollar tree. I just broke off the picks and put them throughout the board. 

{The most epic Hocus Pocus watching party // birthday}

 I mentioned on my weekend wrap-up post that we attended the most epic Hocus Pocus watching party for our dear friends daughter's 15th birthday. It was the most perfect night and will definitely be one that we remember always! I can't get over how awesome everything was!

{Weekend Wrap-up // Epic Hocus Pocus night, Football, shopping}

 What a weekend we had! It was chock full of family, friends, fall goodness, and football. All the things that are such a sweet source of joy for my soul! Here's our weekend wrap-up...