Thanksgiving Week {Waco}

I spent the last week with my Dad and my sister Shelby and her family in Waco, TX.  It was hard being away from my own family during Thanksgiving but I loved spending time with my Dad and sister.  I flew in bright and early Last Sunday.  Shelby, my niece Ainsley  and my Dad picked me up at the airport in Dallas.  We had lunch and then we visited the Dealey Plaza and the sixth floor museum in Dallas.  The 55th anniversary of assassination of John F. Kennedy was actually on Thanksgiving Day so it was special to be there and see the museum this past week.  I have read a lot of books about JFK and have seen a lot of documentaries so it was very special for me to see the museum and Dealey plaza.  My Dad and I went together my sister and Ainsley stayed in a little cafe close by while we toured the museum.  The museum was full of pictures and artifacts about JFK’s time in office and from that awful day in Dallas.  While we went through the museum we listed to an audio recording (they gave each person an iPod) and it was so interesting. It was even more special seeing it with my Dad who remembers that day and watching it on TV. 

On Monday my sister had to work so my Dad, Ainsley and I did some sightseeing in Waco.  Our first stop was the national Mammoth National Monument in Waco.  

After the Mammoth monument we headed to Magnolia Market to shop and look around at the Silos.  It was so beautiful and we took so many pictures.  Everyone was so nice and everything was 100% in the Joanna Gains signature Farmhouse style.  Our plan was to each lunch at one of the food trucks but it was so chilly that we went to a restaurant instead. 

After lunch we went to the Dr. Pepper museum which was a lot of fun.  We learned all about soda fountains and how Dr. Pepper got its start in Waco.  After the tour we had Dr. Peppers and ice cream floats in the little gift shop/soda fountain. 

Tuesday we went and visited my sister at work at Baylor.  I loved seeing where she works and meeting her coworkers.  I don’t know how my sister does it all.  She works full time as the Director of Retention and she is going back to school to get her PhD.   I am so proud of her. 

While we were visiting my sister at work Ainsley and I walked over to see the Baylor mascots.  Two bears named Joy and Lady.  They are kept in a habitat on campus.  Ainsley loves visiting them. 

I’ll do another post about the second half of my trip tomorrow.

I hope your Thanksgiving Week was full of family, friends and good food.

Xoxo

2017 Holiday Recap

The time between Christmas and New Years is my favorite time of the year. We had so many precious memories during that time that I wanted to do a post so I could look back and count all of our blessings during the holiday season.

{Thanksgiving}

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year!  This year G and I had a quiet Thanksgiving together. Brock was in Arizona and Ava was in the Czech Republic.  

In November For Branch and Bloom we taught a class on how to make Thankful Trees for Thanksgiving Centerpieces.

My friend Julie hosted her annual Friendsgiving it was a fun night!

My BFF Rachael and I hosted our 5th annual Friendsgiving for our friends.  I love this tradition so much!  

I  ran the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksging Day.  It’s always a great way to kick off Thanksgiving Day.

Rachael and I hosted our 5th annual Holiday Market.  The Holiday Market is an event where we invite all our crafty friends to make items to sell then we invite the community for a day of holiday shopping.  It’s always a great event!  

{Christmas}

My sister in law Anne and I spent two days in NYC.  I love spending time with her and I hope this becomes a new tradition for us. I love NYC at Christmas 🎄 

Of course we had to stop and see the tree while we were in NYC.  We were there the Sunday/Monday before it was lit. 

I hosted my first annual tree lighting party to commemorate our one year anniversary of having the tree.  I think this will be a fun new tradition for us!  

Rachael and I taught two craft classes in December for Branch and Bloom.  We taught a personalized sign class and a farmhouse wreath class. 

My Bunco group had a Christmas party and gift exchange.  It was so fun!

My friend M had her annual Christmas party.  She always has a photo booth set up at her party and we always try to make a pyramid. Maybe next year we will perfect our pyramid-ha ha!

I saw Jennifer Nettles in a Christmas concert.  She is my favorite singer and I love Christmas songs so it was the perfect night!

I had my annual Christmas gift exchange with my BFF’s.  Our annual gift exchange is so much fun!  

I marched in the Christmas parade to support my friend Lisa and her Shoeboxes for Seniors event.

I was also able to go to the Shoeboxes for Seniors event before I left for Arizona.

Graig and I spent 10 days in Arizona with Brock for Christmas.  We had a wonderful time spending time with Brock and exploring Phoenix and we visited the Grand Canyon.  It was a great trip!

Meanwhile in the Czech Republic Ava has been enjoying the European holiday traditions.  She went to a Christmas market and helped clean the traditional Christmas carp. 

I just love this time of year!

Xoxo

Thankful and Blessed {2017 edition}

I originally wrote this post last year and I updated it for this year.  I hope you and yours had the best Thanksgiving

Xoxo

 I love all holidays but Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite. I love a day devoted to being with family and friends and celebrating everything we have to be thankful for. I am so blessed and have so much to be thankful for.

I am most thankful for Graig and our two kids.  Since I was little I dreamed of being a wife and mom and these three made that dream come true.  I am thankful for them every single day.  Brock and Ava are growing up fast.  I am proud that they are working hard to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. The biggest joy in my life  is being a mom to them.  Brock started at ASU in August and Ava is in the Czech Republic on a Rotary Exchange.  I was so sad they weren’t home with us this year but I’m so happy they are both setting goals and achieving them.  Even if that means we are apart on Thanksgiving this year.  

 

I am so very thankful for my own family.  My Dad and sister are a huge blessings to me and I'm thankful everyday for them.  My Dad lives in Illinois and my sister lives in Texas so I'm thankful for the time  we are able to be together.

I am thankful for my in-laws that adore our kids and are always in the stands cheering at every sporting event and school function.  I am thankful to them for raising a son that they taught to work hard.  Graig has the best work ethic of anyone I know and I am thankful for his parents for teaching him the value of hard work.  

I am thankful for my dear girlfriends.  I love the good times we have together and all the memories we've made together. I am so blessed to have them with me in this crazy life.  

 

So much to be thankful for this year :) 

Xoxo