Favorite Things Party: Stocking Stuffers

I am linking up with Momfessionals today to discuss everything stocking stuffer!

When Ben and I got married we had many debates on what Christmas traditions we would pass along to our children and how exactly we wanted "to do" Christmas with them.  For the few years we were married before kids, we would follow the traditions of where we were staying- my family or his.  Once Elizabeth was here, we finally decided on our Christmas traditions!

When we get up on Christmas morning, we go downstairs and see what Santa brought.  Santa puts the gifts he brings in and around our stockings.  We open the stockings, go through and play with all the goodies, and show each other what we got.  After we have all opened our stockings, we make breakfast and we open the presents under the tree after breakfast.

Here are a few stocking stuffer suggestions/some things I have picked up:

FOR THE GIRLS:

These are some of the things I have picked up for Elizabeth:
1. Reindeer antler's (from dollar tree, came in a 2-pack, Caroline is getting the other one)
2. Crayola number tracing book (from dollar tree)
3. Disney princess book (from dollar tree, Caroline is getting two as well)
4. Barbie (free when I purchased another barbie set)
5. 8-pack elf nail polish (from Ulta)
6. Purple dry erase marker (from Staples)
7. Doc McStuffins kit (from Target)
8. Minnie Mouse plate (from Target)
9. Bubble bath (from Ulta, Caroline is getting one too)
10. Stamps (from CVS)
11. Sunglasses (from dollar tree)

Elizabeth will also get some snacks, probably something like these:

The girls are also getting the Playhut Disney Frozen Royal Castle I picked it up on sale, used a target cartwheel, and a gift card from my Thanksgiving food to get the castle for $4.  This is their "big gift" from Santa.

Caroline is getting the reindeer antlers, books, and bubble bath as I mentioned above.  I'm not done shopping for her, but I know what I am going to get:

1. Gerber Penguin Puffs (From Target)
2. Princess sippy cup (From Target)
3. Gerber graduate squeezies ( From any grocery store)
4. Toddler plate ( From Target, Grocery store, Toys R Us)
5. She will probably also get a few more books because she loves books and one of the toys I have picked up for her will go as a stocking gift

FOR BEN:

I need to clarify for Ben, these are NOT things I have purchased, but things I am thinking about ;)

1. DVDs or Blue Rays- always a good choice for men and you can always find "dude movies" on sale this time of year (from Target)

2. Some sort of packaged meat- usually jerky or beef sticks or something (From Target)

3. Candy- M&Ms are popular in my house, we may all get one of these (From Target)

4. Ben likes Star Wars- so maybe some sort of Pez Star Wars character.  Small and inexpensive :) (from Target)

5. Mini bottles of scotch- always a good gift for my husband (any liquor store)

6. Star Wars stickers- again, he likes Star Wars and this is something small and silly (from Target)

*I always recommend socks, under shirts, or their favorite gum/mints or snacks

 For Me ;)

Just in case Santa is reading, here are a few things I wouldn't mind pulling out of my stocking on Christmas morning ;)

1. Chapstick (from Target)

2. Small boxes of goldfish (from Target)

3. Icebreakers Mints (from Target)

4. Twisted peppermint lotion (From Bath and Body works)

5. Candy Cane of M&Ms (from Target)

6. Any OPI pink nail polish (From Ulta)

7. Any Clinique eye shadow (From any department store)

8. Fuzzy socks (from Target)

9. White, athletic socks (from Target)

I hope this helps!  I just kinda keep my eye out for stocking stuffers when I am out and about and quickly throw them in the cart before anyone can notice.  Happy shopping!

 

Thanksgiving!

We had a very wonderful Thanksgiving here in Northern Virgina.  We stayed home for the first time in forever and relaxed with the girls.  Our cousins came over for dinner, we skyped with our families, and we had fun watching the kids play together.  It was wonderful and I am so thankful for everyone that I either spent the day with, skyped with, and chatted or texted with.

We started the day by trying to take family photos for our Christmas card. I emphasize trying because IT DID NOT WORK... AT ALL :)

 Our first location had a lighting problem :)

 Our second location was great...

 but as a family, we were a mess :)

 After trying about 8342 times, we I gave up and we headed home to start cooking

Ben prepped all the dishes

 And hours later... it's all done!

So much food... so much good food!

(Forgot to take the salad out of the refrigerator)

 Sweet potato casserole

Green bean casserole

 Smoked turkey

Stuffing

 Macaroni and cheese

 Homemade biscuits

Mash potatoes

Our table

After dinner, no one was ready for pie, so we decided to try taking family photos again for our Christmas card.  Ben suggested we sit on our bench and I thought that was a brilliant idea (and mad that I didn't think of it).  So, we headed onto our deck and to try and take a photo worthy of our Christmas card...

 Testing...

 And we did such a great job!  Ha!

Thank you Noah for being super patient with us and actually taking a few good ones.

(I'm saving those for the card- sorry)

 The kids played for a bit...

I think they had a great time together :)

 This girl...

 Cousins!

With their babies that are cousins! 

win win people

After all the picture taking, we decided we were ready to try and eat some pie.  We had several pies to choose from (pumpkin, chocolate, and apple) and I am still full from all the food we had yesterday.

 

 Apple pie

Chocolate pudding pie

Pumpkin pie

So... Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We had a wonderful time with family yesterday and just relaxing and watching the kids.  This year has been hard in a lot of ways and it is nice to take time to sit down and really think about everything we have been blessed with.  

Happy Friday!