Merry Christmas!!!

Well we have almost made it!! In two more hours I will be off work for 10 days, and heading up north to see my family! I definitely have my share of celebrating planned out in the next couple days.

Friday- We are heading up to Duluth MN, and spend the evening with my mom, little sister, and Grandma..and of course Sean and Remi. I think a movie, and ice cream from the best little ice cream shop is in store!

Saturday- We will be waking up bright and early to head up north a little further to Two Harbors MN to spend the first part of the day with my dad's side of the family. There is always AMAZING food courtesy of my grandma, lots of laughs, and fun game time! Saturday evening we are going to my aunts house in Superior WI for a fun night with all the cousins!

Sunday- We are heading home to spend the day at Sean's parents with all my in laws! We were asked to bring an appetizer and decided on bruchetta! Can't wait to make it and of course eat it :)

Monday- We are hosting Christmas at our house for our immediate family! I absolutely love spending time with them and cherish every moment! I can't wait for everyone to open their presents...my tree is overflowing with them!

During my week off I won't be posting everyday...but I will try to sneak in a couple posts atleast! I am going to soak up every second of my break with family, friends, relaxing, shopping, and hopefully a few fun things that Sean and I don't normally have the time to do....dinner and a movie maybe!?

I want to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I pray everyone's celebrations are blessed, that you all make amazing memories that will last a lifetime! I also pray that the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated above all! God Bless you all!!!!

Jamie Leigh

Thankful for YOU!

 

Today I wanted to express how thankful I am for blogging, and especially for YOU all my blogging friends! I have met so many amazing ladies in the past year and I am grateful for each and every one of you!!

Last night I got home from work at about 8...hadn't been home since 5:30 that morning..so I was very tired, and not in the best mood. When I walk in I see a package sitting on the counter for me! It was from my sweet blogging friend Samantha. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, get over there and do it! She is so inpirational, and always has an uplifting message to share! Anyways, I had joined forces with Samantha this year to adopt a family in need. She has been nothing but grateful and appreciative of the help, and to thank me she sent me this!

Isn't it beautiful! It totally made my night better, and it will forever remind me that I am God's hands and feet. I want to be used to do good in this world, and I can make a difference in other's lives! Thank you so much Samantha, that was so sweet of you and I absolutely love it!

Today I was also awarded the Versatile Blogger award from my sweet friend over at Everything Girly & Beyond! So fun! Here are the rules of the award:

1-Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.

2-Inform the bloggers of their nomination.

3-Share 7 random things about yourself.

4-Thank the blogger who nominated you.

5-Add the Versatile Blog Award picture on your blog post.

The 15 bloggers I choose are:

1:Asha's Aspects

2. Through Clouded Glass

3. Fashion Meets Food

4.Mackey Madness

5.The Presutti's

6. the land of sunshine

7. the shepherd life

8.After we Tied the Knott

9.Learning to Love

10. More to Hollywood

11. Classic and Bubbly

12. New Adventures

13.this kind of love

14.Walking with God

15. Wifestyles

Whew! So many great ladies to choose from! Now for 7 random things about myself:

1. I am OCD when it comes to my straightner or curling iron..I have to check if it's off multiple times before leaving the house.

2. I am lactose intolerant..ick!

3. I am animal obsessed, and cry every time I see an ASPCA commercial!

4. I can't sleep unless the sheets are tucked in on the bottom...the blankets have to be nice and organized!

5. The minute I get home I get out of my work clothes and put on my sweats and slippers!

6. I can fall asleep at anytime, and pretty much anywhere...I LOVE my sleep!

7. I have the taste buds of a child. I love candy, fruit snacks, mac and cheese...and any other typical children's food!

Last but not least, for today's 25 days of Christmas, a few pictures from last Christmas...and what I am still dreaming of for this Christmas...LOTS of snow!

Have a wonderful day! Only 3 days!!

Jamie Leigh

Lots to LOVE this Wednesday!

 

Today I am linking up for What I am Loving Wednesday! There is a LOT on my list this morning, so let's not waste any time!

Today I am LOVING....

~That I finished my Christmas shopping last night!! WAHOO! Everything is wrapped and under the tree totally taunting us :)

~Christmas is 4 days away....ONLY 4 :)

~Drinking coffee on cold night walks with Sean and Remi...I am obsessed with amaretto coffee creamer!

~Hearing all the  "Merry Christmas's" and "Happy Holidays" from people coming in and out at work. It puts a smile on my face.

~ Cooking dinner with my hubby...such a special time for us!

~ My little family..I LOVE Sean and Remi so much! They fill my heart with joy and love!

~Maurices! I have already been spending my Christmas gift money before I even have it! This morning I was looking at the Maurices website and I love everything...they have such cute stuff! Here are a few of my favorites for today's 25 days of Christmas:

                                        

                                                                                                    

I cannot wait to go shopping!

~ I had my review at work today which went great, and I got a raise!

~ I have a half day Friday so I can head up north a day earlier! More family time!!

I hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday!! Tell me what you are loving today!

Jamie Leigh

                                                         

     



Holiday Tag!

A few days ago I was tagged by my sweet blogging friend over at Everything Girly and Beyond. This holiday tag has been all over the blogging world so I am excited to finally be able to participate!! Even more perfect it fits into my 25 days of Christmas theme! Here we go!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Definitely hot chocolate..preferably with almond or peppermint!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or sit them under the tree?

I remember a little of both....mostly wrapped though :)

3.Colored or white lights?

Growing up I always had colored, but on my tree this year I have white!

4. Do you hang a mistletoe?

No...but I should, I love that idea.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Usually right after Thanksgiving...but this year I did it the middle of Novemebr..I couldn't wait to decorate MY own house!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

This is hard...I love my grandmas stuffing and gravy..and also cheesy potatoes!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Driving up north to see my grandparents! We would always listen to Nsync's christmas album and I remember the excitment to see my family!

8. When and how did you  learn the truth about Santa?

I remember hearing a lot about it in school...so I asked my mom and she was honest. However..I still believe in Santa ;)

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?

Yes, but never in the same place!!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

11. Snow..love it or dread it?

I LOVE it for Christmas (nothing better than a white Christmas), but after New Year's I get sick of it...I am super bummed there is not snow this year...

12. Can you ice skate?

No....I would not call what I am able to do ice skating haha

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I have always been blessed with amazing gifts from my family and friends....so I can't pick just one of them. I LOVE everything I get!

14. What is the most important thing about the holiday's for you?

Definitely family time, and of course the birth of Jesus!!

15.What is your favorite holiday dessert?

I love peppermint almond bark, any christmas cookies, and cheesecake!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Packing up and driving up north to see my family...also playing games and watching A Christmas Story and Christmas vacation with all my cousins!

17. What tops your tree?

18. Which do you prefer..giving or receiving?

Giving hands down. There is nothing better than seeing the excitment and joy on people's faces as they open your gift. I have already given my husband 3 of his gifts because I just can't wait!

19. Candy canes..yuck or yum?

In hot chocolate or in desserts yum!By themselves...yuck!

20. Favorite Christmas show?

Frosty and Rudolph! They are so cute! Oh and the Grinch of course!

21. Saddest Christmas song?

Christmas Shoes..and the movie is also a tear jerker!

22. Favorite Christmas song?

I can't pick just one.. I love them all!

So Fun!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday! 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jamie Leigh

Ugly Sweater Party Recap!!

Whew! What a great weekend...It is always bitter sweet when lovely weekends with amazing friends and family come to an end...this was for sure one of them! All I can say is I am so thankful for the memories we made at our first ever ugly sweater party! It was 100% fun filled with LOTS of laughs, great food, and most of all the most perfect guests!! For today's 25 days of Christmas here are some pictures from our party!

My Besties!

Sean and his besties!

Even Remi had a sweater!

This dessert was a hit! Seriously to die for!

Winner of the ugly sweater contest! It lit up!!

<3 my babe

It is the week of Christmas everyone!!! I have a few more gifts to get this week...besides that Friday cannot come sooner....it brings 11 days off work PAID and we finally get to head up north to see my family :)
Happy Monday!
Jamie Leigh

Yay for Friday!

Today's post is going to be very short and sweet...it is a busy day at work! I am working at the Employee Holiday Program, so I actually have to "work" all day ;) TGIF!! I am SO very excited for this weekend!! The Ugly Sweater party is finally here! The girls I am hosting with and myself have come up with some super awesome recipes, games, and decor for the party! Stay tuned for Monday's post..it will be full of pictures!!  For today's 25 days of Christmas let me leave you with a sneak peak of one of our desserts for the party...Santa hats made out of brownies, strawberries and whipped cream....so cute and delicious!! 

 

Sorry for the lack of excitment in today's post! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend..It's the LAST one before Christmas! WAHOO!!!!!

WILW: Christmas Edition!

Today for What I am Loving Wednesday I am sticking with the 25 days of Christmas theme!

Today I am LOVING:

~That there are only 11 days until Christmas! WOW, can you believe it? Where is the snow Minnesota....I do not want a brown Christmas :(

~Christmas music! I listen to Pandora's Christmas channel constantley. It makes my day just THAT much better :) This is one of my favorites!

~Receiving Christmas cards!! So FUN! I get so excited to check the mail this time of year :)

~ That I am almost done buying Christmas presents...my checkbook needs a break!

~Christmas lights, and presents under the tree!

~Our ugly sweater party is THIS Saturday! I can't wait to celebrate with our amazing friends!

~ Puppy chow with red and green M&M's ..YUM!

~ That is is Remi's first Christmas! Sean and I can't wait to spoil her with toys and treats..she is our baby!

~The fact that this is Sean and my first Christmas as a married couple AND we get to host a Christmas at our home!

What are you LOVING about Christmas today?!

Happy hump day friends, we are half way there!

Jamie Leigh

A Christmasy Weekend!

This weekend was great..it was full of all things Christmas and family, so I was totally spoiled :)

The bulk of my weekend was spent with my mom, little sister Jodell, and Ryan whom I PCA for. We did some Christmas shopping (I got all Sean's gifts, YAY!) then we headed downtown to the Macy's 8th floor display,"Life as an Elf."

Afterwards we got the kids some cookies from Mrs. Claus's bakery!

Walking around downtown this time of year is magical...there are so many beautiful Christmas decorations...I was in Aww!

I even found a customized ornament shop..look what I got made :)

Saturday evening we went to the Holidazzle parade with the family! It was chilly, but a lot of fun!

Sunday my sweet friend Jessie offered to take some family pictures of us for our Christmas cards! They turned out great....I am dedicating tomorrow's post to them so stay tuned!

The rest of Sunday was spent celebrating a late Thansgiving with my immediate family. We ate some delicious food..YUM

Can you tell I LOVE gravy?

Made our Christmas cards, and attempted to build gingerbread houses which ended up in a mess but was SOOO much fun!

I LOVE weekends with family, my heart feels full today and I am filled with joy :) Happy Monday Friends!!

I wanted to leave you with my favorite Christmas saying for today's 25 days of Christmas. I found if very fitting of this weekend...

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family wrapped up in eachother"

Jamie Leigh

This Weekend...

 

I have a lot of great things to look forward too! The bulk of my weekend will be spent with the boy, Ryan,  I PCA for. Even though I will technically be working it sure doesn't feel like work!

Tonight I think pizza and a Christmas movie sounds great...maybe Elf or Polar Express. I love them both!

Tomorrow is busy busy! My mom and I plan on taking Jodell and Ryan down town to the Macy's 8th floor display, which this year is "Life as an Elf". Every year around Christmas time we bring them down there, so it is now tradition. Here is a picture of us there last year.

Sorry it's so dark!! Terrible Lighting!

We also plan on going to the Holidazzle Parade Saturday night so I will take lots of pictures!

Sunday is the day I am MOST excited for!! After church my friend Jessie has offered to take our Christmas card pictures! YAY I am so excited to make our first Christmas card together! The rest of the day will be spent with family celebrating a late Thanksgiving. This year we all went out opposite ways, so we finally found the time to get together and celebrate!! I promise I will remember my camera this time!

This really is the most wonderful time of the year! I love all the joy and happiness in the air :) For today's 25 days of Christmas I wanted to share with you my favorite Christmas candy. I have the biggest sweet tooth, so I always keep my santa candy dish full :) Here is what you will find in it this year!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Jamie Leigh