Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.
I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (or Chanukah), Happy Kwanza……just Happy Holidays to all! Thank you to all of you who stop by and read on a regular basis, leave comments and really just say hello! I hope you all have a blessed holiday!
Here is a peek at the beginning of our holiday celebrations!
On Friday, Alexander had his first (of many) holiday celebrations at school. Alex joined him in all the holiday fun while I was home tending to Ellie.
On Saturday, we schlepped all 4 kids over to the in-laws house for dinner and near the end, we had a surprise visit from the man in a red suit.
As you can see, it is impossible to get all 4 children to look at the camera and smile at the same time. I am hopeful that someday it will happen!
* This is a sponsored post with http://brandfluential.com, I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.*
Over the last few weeks as we have been working on our kitchen remodel, Alex and I have been shopping online for some new appliances. We recently swapped refrigerators with my parents old basement refrigerator since it offers more room for our family of 6. While it offers more room, we definitely do not plan on having it in our kitchen on a very long term basis. We both have visions of a beautiful french door refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom, an over the range microwave and somewhere down the road, a new gas range with a griddle burner. Somewhere in my dream, a portable dishwasher magically appears too along with visions of a new washer and dryer!
Ah….the dreams, they are so big but we will have them someday!
It is possible our dreams may come true sooner than later thanks to Sears and their awesome sale!
You can Save 30% off our favorite appliance brands. Plus, you’ll get an extra 5% off when you use your Sears Card. Now what are you waiting for, go give your Kitchen some much-needed love. Online & In Stores through January 5th. http://bit.ly/ZPtqlN
I’m off to start doing some shopping now! Who knows, maybe I will cave and get our appliances now rather than later!
*This post is made possible by Discount Party Supplies. I received a promotional item in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.*
This past weekend our family gathered in our home to celebrate Ellie’s 1st Birthday. For months I have been trying to figure out what type of theme she should have. I have been searching Pinterest for different ideas for decorations, cake designs and more. I spent time surfing different party supply sites getting different ideas as to what we should do.
After all of the searching, I turned to my friends at Discount Party Supplies since we had such a great experience working with them for Ellie’s Baptism back in May.
Discount Party Supplies has so many different options for celebrating 1st Birthdays and I wanted to find one that was perfect for our little Ellie. We decided that since we have a bunch of different nicknames for her, including Bug that we would go with a Ladybug theme. Thankfully, there we lots of Ladybug Party Supplies to choose from!
We decorated the house with a Fancy Ladybug giant sticker Banner along with red and black balloons, we all donned party hats and the custom Ladybug cake that I made for Ellie was served on adorable ladybug plates with matching cups and napkins.
Everything looked wonderful, from what I am told the cake tasted great and most of all, Ellie had a great time and a very memorable first birthday!
Thank you again Discount Party Supplies for coming through and helping us throw another great party and create some wonderful memories!
Someone please tell me where the last year of my life has gone!
A year ago, at this exact time, I was laying in a hospital bed, laboring and waiting to meet my sweet little girl.
I cannot believe it has been a year!
So, here we go…..a year in review!
A Bean is Born
12/17/2011 @ 1:48am
6#2oz and 18.5 inches
Ready to go home from the hospital (12/20/2011)First time in her crib!
1 Month
The first month flew right on by.
Not Quite 2 Months
It all started with this smile!
2 Months
2 months and already a character!
3 Months
Happy St Patty’s Day!
4 Months
Ready for baseball season! GO BREWERS!!!
5 Months
Baptised on May 13th
6 Months
Beach BumDaddy’s little Princess
7 Months
Sunbathing ElliePretty Girl
8 Months
8.5 Months
9 Months
Almost 10 Months
10 Months
Ellie’s 1st T-gownFirst Halloween
11 Months
11.5 Months
Ellie in a box
One Year Old!
Ellie’s 1st Birthday Party
The last year with Ellie in our lives has been truly amazing and we look forward to all that is yet to come!
Happy 1st Birthday my dear sweet Baby Ellie, I love you the ends of the Earth and back!
*This post is made possible by The Harlem Globetrotters. I received a promotional item in order to facilitate this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.* I am excited to share that I recently became a Harlem Globetrotters Affiliate! For years, my kids have seen the commercials advertising the local show of the Harlem Globetrotters right around Christmas and this year I am super excited that I will get to take them to their first show!!
With Alex working 2nd shift these days, our evenings are often filled with homework, after-school activities, different appointments and faith formation class once a week.
Lately I’ve been trying to make our nights without daddy a bit more fun. We now have pizza and movie night once a week, a weekly game night and we’ve been spending more time in the kitchen together as a family as well.
When time and finances allow for it I love taking the kids to special events in the area and I am really happy that this year, right after Christmas I am going on a date with Zack, Libby and Alexander to see the Harlem Globetrotters here in Green Bay!
When I shared this news with the kids they were really excited and they cannot wait to go. Mom better start saving up for some awesome souvenirs!
“The Harlem Globetrotters love seeing families laugh together during our games, and would love to see your family when we come to a city near you. If you’re looking for an awesome event the whole family will enjoy, get your tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters “You Write the Rules” tour. Your family’s smiles will start before you even get to the game because this year, your family can vote at harlemglobetrotters.com, and decide rules for the game like two balls in play at the same time that could affect the final outcome. After the game, Globetrotters will stay on court to sign autographs and take photographs with your kids. The only thing better than finding an event the whole family will enjoy, is getting a great deal on it. Save $7 per ticket* by using the promo code “TOGETHER”. Get ready to experience a show your family will remember for a lifetime! *Discount available on select ticket levels”
