Lacey from Lacey Lii Photography took some family photos of us for our Christmas card and I’ve wanted to share some with you guys. So, I’m killing two birds with one stone here and linking it up on the 12 Days of Christmas Outfits series with Danica.

Figuring out what to wear for family photos gets exponentially harder as you throw kids into the mix. Trying to get everyone to coordinate is pretty much my worst nightmare, and I’d be lying if it didn’t bring me to tears the night before (postpartum hormones… yikes!). I wanted it to be Christmasy, obviously, and casual… yet classy. So, we came up with this little number and I think they turned out pretty great, thanks to Lacey!

I’ve worn my outfit bunches (I’ve had the sweater dress for years), and most recently wore it to Eva’s Christmas dance showcase but with black boots. It took me a long time to get over the fear of wearing brown and black together, but if you get the right color brown, I think it looks good.

One more thing. Can we just take a moment to wish that Eva’s leggings came in our size? I love them so much, plus they’re the softest material! Oh man, those kids of mine… I can’t get enough of their cuteness! That husband’s not that bad looking either 😉 !

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Outfit Details: Do you really care? If so, then message me and I can tell you.

Margaret Wiss! Thanks for entering, everyone, and thanks for partnering up with me, Laura!

I’m having one more giveaway starting next Sunday with Lolly & Pop, so make sure to check that one out!

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Here are ten of my favorite Christmas themed blog posts:

  1. A Log of Four Lives: I loved Camille’s reindeer banner and snowman wreath! So cute!
  2. Danican Skywalker: Danica lists her favorite Christmas TV episodes that are on Netflix. Yankeeeeeee Swap!
  3. Messerly Moments: Erica posts something Christmasy that she and her family does every day. I’ve been copying some of the ideas (seeing the tree at Provo Town Center, painting, Provo Rec Center) and doing them with Eva!
  4. Six Sisters Stuff: I’ve posted this recipe of Grapham Cracker Toffee Crunch from the SSS blog but I have to do it again. I LOVE this toffee and it’s easier to master than plain toffee.
  5. Wearing It On My Sleeves: Sarah’s outfit with the sweatshirt and red plaid shirt looks so comfy and cute for the Christmas Season!
  6. Love Always: I really love this blogger’s post about the gift of the First Christmas and being able to share it with her children.
  7. Life is Beautiful: Sarah’s new tradition of a Christmas Kickoff Party is something I’m going to start doing in our family next year!
  8. The Morrell Tale: One of Tayler’s goals this month is to simply enjoy the holidays, and honestly I’ve realized how hard that can be sometimes if you let anxiety and stress get in the way! Making it my goal too.
  9. My Twin Love Affair: Okay, technically this one is not Christmased theme but it is a great blog post that reminds me of real Christ-like love, so you’ve got to read it.
  10. Silver Linings: Oops, this one is mine (is that tacky?)… I had nine posts I wanted to share and thought I’d make it an even 10 by adding this old blog post to the mix. It was a flashback of Eva’s Santa pictures from the past… here are the photos!

 

Photobooth is our newest activity… it entertains Eva forever! And I must admit, I have fun doing it too!

I’m sure you all have seen that Instagram Husband video by now, right? I showed it to TJ today and we were laughing so hard… then I asked him to take some photos for me for my blog. Because we had just watched the video, he was teasing me so much which made it even harder to take non-terribly-awkward photos for this 12 Days of Christmas Outfit Linkup! Guys, I just will never be a fashion blogger but like I said on instagram, I really love dressing up for the holidays, so why not give it a shot this time?

So, this skirt from the Loft is probably one of my favorites of all time. It’s leather with pockets and has an elastic waistband so I even wore it when I was pregnant! The only thing about it is that it’s on the verge of being too short, so I have to wear it lower on my hips if I don’t wear it with leggings. Oh, well! I still love it. And the top is from Old Navy-got it on Black Friday for 50%. I was going to have TJ give it to me for Christmas but I just couldn’t wait. Button-ups are my jam right now because of breastfeeding. I sure wish I had it in all colors and patterns because I love the fit and the soft material. As for the shoes, they’re just some black wedges from Target I got several years back. I rarely wear heals anymore but these wedges are quite comfy and bearable for the three hours at church.

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Make sure you check out Danica’s outfit linkup over here! She’s my outfit inspiration… I wish I was as cool as her 🙂 !

Since it’s the season for giving, I’ve partnered up with my bestie Laura who makes adorable and unique pillow covers and sells them on Etsy. So, who wants one? She is giving away the Quilted Throw Pillow Cover in Four Corners by Riley Blake! To enter, you must favorite Humspun on Etsy. You can also share this blog post with your friends on Facebook or follow my blog on Bloglovin’ to get extra entries. The contest goes through Wednesday… Good luck!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This beautiful girl… what can I even say? I cannot believe she is four years old. I am so sad that she no longer is my sweet little baby, but am also so excited to see her grow up and watch her personality blossom.

Eva is still my little diva. She wears princess dresses 100% of the time when we are home, except for when she’s asleep. And when she’s asleep, she’s usually in a nightgown with princesses on it. Eva loves playing with dolls, her clip princesses (obviously), her new picnic board game and princess board game, and her new carriage toy. She does pretty well playing by herself, but loves playing with her cousins and gets so silly when she’s around them.

This year, Eva has become kind of sensitive, but I’m glad because she has a tender heart and is aware of those around her. She knows the difference between right and wrong (doesn’t always make the right choice 🙂 ) but knows when she’s made mistakes. She hates loud noises (although her belly laugh can be really loud sometimes!), so when kids scream or the toilet flushes loud-she wants nothing to do with it! Ha!

Eva’s favorite foods are cheese quesadillas, cheese burgers, pasta, yogurt, apples, broccoli and hummus, and of course all types of junk food, ice cream, popcorn, and candy… haha! It’s still a struggle to get Eva to eat, but finally is to the point where I can tell her she can’t get up until she eats… and it works for the most part.

The best parts of Eva’s week are when she gets to go to school, go to grandma’s house, and go to primary. She really loves getting out and doing activities. We try to go to the library for their story times and puppet shows, she does a dance class each week, and we go to a music class together too (when we can make it out the door on time… Finn definitely slows us down recently). Every morning she says, “So, Mom, what are we gonna do today?” I think she’s still my city-girl at heart and just can’t sit at home… I guess she’s like me… definitely not a homebody.

This year Eva became a big sister and adores her brother. Although I have to constantly remind her to be gentle, she always wants to give him loves!

Dear Eva Bug, please stay this sweet and funny forever. We love you so much! Happy 4th Birthday!!!
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I hosted a Christmas craft exchange party this week and was blown away by my crafty friends! Everyone was so shy about having their craft be opened, but each one was as awesome as the next!

So, everyone brought one craft wrapped up, then we played the left/right white elephant game and ended up with someone else’s gift. We went around and opened the gifts and the person who made the craft told how they made it. It was so fun and great to see some old friends and chat with new ones!

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Decorated presents (made out of boxes and wrapped with tinsel and garland)
Paper Trees (made from books, folded every thirty pages)
Homemade Purse
Wooden elf block set (decoupaged)

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Floral Arrangement
Leather Baby Moccasins
Advent Calendar
Christmas Print
Ornament Magnets
“Jingle All The Way” Shadowbox frame with bells inside
Burlap and Lace Christmas Trees
Wall Decoration-Wooden Star
Christmas Trees (Wooden and painted)
JOY letters (Wooden and painted)

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Gold Christmas Tree (Folded magazine, spray painted)
Mason Jar Candles with Snow (Epson Salt as snow)
Wall Decoration-Joy (wreath as the “O”)
Crocheted boot toppers

I really love hosting parties, but especially loved this one because not only was it Christmas themed, but also it was so fun to see what everyone came up with to create! Can’t wait for next year!

I’m flooding my blog with Christmas videos this week. Here’s another one of my favorites!

On Monday, I was so lucky to see the amazing Forgotten Carols show with my in-laws. I absolutely loved it. I had no idea that Michael Mclean was actually IN the show, along with his son and his wife! So neat. I was familiar with the music but had never actually seen the play. It really touched me and made me want to focus on the Savior this Christmas season. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

“Yes I did believe them Though I’d not seen a thing
I did not go to Bethlehem Or hear the angels sing
But there was something magic In the air
That made me feel as if I had been there

I knew that as the world moves on through time
There would be more stories just like mine
About the souls who’ve chosen to believe
In something that they never got to see

Do you think you’ll join us Though you’ve not seen a thing?
You were not there in Bethlehem To hear the angels sing
But if you feel the spirit In the air
Then just like me you’d know

That He was here, He was here
The King of kings, And Lord of lords was here”