It's been utter relaxation

I can't remember a better Christmas Break.

Truly.

Once all the hustle and bustle and stress of getting ready for the Holidays was over, we've had a great time just hanging out.

Sure, the day after Christmas, we did a crazy thing and went with Brent over to Mishawaka to the mall, and out to eat.  The kids had money to blow after all, and we love FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES.

It was CRAZY busy, and the traffic was ridiculous, but we still had a fun day.

Brent took off of work alot of the time the kids and I were off from work and school, and we've had a GREAT time watching A LOT of movies, and just hanging out.

Over Christmas we learned how to play Dutch Blitz (card game for those who don't know.)

and we've been having crazy hours long tournaments after supper. 

I've had to ask for breaks since Brent wanted to play it EVERY NIGHT.    He's a little competitive!

We've went to high school basketball games, and out with friends.

I've also tried to do a lot of organizing around the house.  A new year ALWAYS makes me want to clean out the clutter of the past year  years.  Let's be honest.  I have a trunk load of stuff to take to Goodwill once the roads are good enough for me to get out.

I've rearranged some things around the house too now that the Christmas Decorations are tucked away for another year.

I've even caught up on scrapbooking (2 years worth!)

I've been putting it off for a long while, but it felt great to get it finished caught up.
 
We've had time for Starbucks (on the way to get groceries.)

and wearing new footie pajamas.

We've seen snow (currently in the middle of a storm), and dry grass.

We've hunkered down on the couch...

and LOVED it. 

It will be hard to go back to work/school, but I'm calling this the best break we've had for awhile!

Hope you all have had a great break too!

Some things accomplished

I've had a good and fast Christmas Break so far.

I can't believe we're already into the second week, but here it is.

I have gotten some things accomplished though, which is always good.

School scrapbooks are finally up to date...

 

We rearranged Grace's room, and added lights.

We even completed a project I saw on Pinterest.

 I LOVE it.  We just cut a large posterboard in a heart shape, added the pictures, then hung it on the wall with thumbtacks.  After that, we added the lights.  What a cool way to display pictures!

Then with a window from my Grandpa's and some chicken wire, I made a new memo board,

and hung it in the living room.

I even convinced Brent to help me with a project.  He didn't want to, but I wore him down.  There are only so many things I can do alone.

I first painted Evan's old train table, distressed it, and added an old window frame from one of Brent's job sites.  

It's a bigger coffee table than we had before, and I'm getting used to it, but I like it.  It'll grow on me.

I have more things to finish this week, so I'd better get to it.

4 about me

So, I was reading The Pleated Poppy's blog last night, and decided she had a really good idea.  She posted 4 things about herself, in many different categories.  You can find her post here.

I've been in a little blog rut lately, and haven't had time to put any craft tutorials on because I haven't had much time myself to do any crafting.

Sad but true.  I plan to do some on Christmas break.  I'll share later.

So, anyway, I'm borrowing Lindsay's idea, and sharing some 4's about me.

4 about me

4 jobs I've had:

1.  secretary at real estate office

2.  graphic designer

3.  kindergarten aide

4.  speech assistant/preschool paraprofessional

4 movies I've watched more than once:

1.  Elf

2.  Love Actually

3.  Ocean's 11, 12, & 13

4.  Under the Tuscan Sun

4 places I've lived:

1.  New Paris

2.  Costa Rica (one semester of college)

3.  Goshen, IN

4.  New Paris (can't help but come back)

4 TV shows I watch:

1.  Downton Abbey

2.  Scandal

3.  Castle

4.   Modern Family

4 places I've been:

1. Phoenix, AZ

2.  Orlando, FL

3.  Chicago, IL

4.  Atlanta, GA

4 Favorite foods:

1.  Mexican  (ANYTHING!)

2.  Buffalo Chicken wraps

3.  Fish (broiled, baked, or fried)

4.  Chicken (cooked any way)

4 places I'd rather be right now:

1.  Napa Valley, California (never been there)

2.  Cancun, Mexico

3.  Chicago, IL

4.  My bed!

4 things I'm looking forward to this year:

1.  Finishing more crafts

2.  Summer break

3.  Mini vacation with friends in 2 weeks

4.  building my ETSY business

4 places I love to shop:

1.  Anthropologie

2.  Target

3.  Hobby Lobby

4. White House Black Market

I hope you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!