January: Nothing like kicking off the new year with a positive pregnancy test! We confirmed the wonderful news with a blood test on January 25th. And just like that, 2011 became our best year yet. Also this month, we celebrated Grandma Martin’s 80th birthday (and had to hide our exciting news from family). Nick challenged [...]
Four of the past five years, we have traveled on Christmas Day. To California in 2007, to Michigan in 2009, back to California in 2010, and to Alabama in 2011. We’re lucky that we’re able to share the holiday with both sides of our family — plus it gives us an extra hour (or three) [...]
After almost two weeks of holiday travel, we are so happy to be home. And although I did not intend to take such a long break from blogging, I have to admit that it was quite nice. I took full advantage of the uninterrupted time with my little family of three — from extra long [...]
First thank you to According to Nina, Duchess of Fork, The Tichenor Family, I Love You More Than Carrots, and Blue-Eyed Bride for hosting a fun-filled week of festive link ups! Today is the final day, and I want to share with you my very favorite December decoration. Christmas has officially arrived when the Golden [...]
Yesterday AP from ILYMTC hosted “Oh What Fun It Is To … Make Memories.” And I’m linking up today with some of my favorite holiday traditions! Christmas Eve Progressive Dinner We have celebrated many, many Christmas Eves with my dad’s family. And we are fortunate that most of the family (excluding us and a few [...]
Do you know the story of Sankt Nikolaus? You can read about the German tradition in our post from 2009 — the first year that I celebrated the holiday with the Wiley family. It’s such a fun tradition and one that we will continue with Samuel. In fact, St. Nick visited our house last night! [...]
We are so thankful every day for our little butterball. He is happy and healthy and handsome, and we know how lucky we are. Sam may not have gotten to enjoy the turkey and trimmings this year. But he more than made up for it in cuddles and kisses (and silly faces from cousins). Hope [...]
I love the details in life. They turn moments into memories. I inherited this appreciation from my mother, and my sister got it from her, too. So it came as no surprise that the two of them planned the perfect baby shower for me, full of so many creative and personal touches. They hosted the [...]
Previous road trip recaps: Lake Anna, VA and Asheville, NC. We were still full from the local grub we enjoyed in Asheville when we arrived in Huntsville about five hours later. But there were many more (homemade) Southern delicacies to devour, thanks to our sister-in-law, Megan. Now I had never heard of this northern Alabama [...]
Food is deep rooted in family tradition. Like my dad’s pizza pies that his dad taught him to make. And Grandma Motz’s sugar cookies, passed down through five generations. Aunt Jane’s apple pie, Aunt Esther’s chicken and dumplings, and my mom’s sheet cake. Nick’s mom is known for her frozen brownie sundaes, and his dad [...]