{Elf Magic // 2020}

 Our Elves {Max & Millie and their pet, Cubby} made their 2020 Christmas season appearance on December 1st. They brought Mason all the things needed for a North Pole style breakfast and brought him a Funko Harry Potter Pop Advent calendar! Mason was so excited to see his favorites!!



{Tis the Season // 2020}

 Hands down, the Christmas season is my absolute favorite!! With that being said, this post serves no purpose other than to publish some of the photos I took over the season! I love the coziness of the Christmas decorations and the twinkle lights. And, enjoying a nice cup of coffee by the glow of the Christmas tree is my absolute favorite. 



{Nathan's new truck!!}

 We finally broke down and bought Nate a new truck. He's been needing one for quite a while, but we wanted to take our time and do our research on what we truly wanted. We knew that we needed something that would be able to tow our Jeeps, was a diesel, was roomy and comfortable for travelling. We finally settled on the 2020 Ram 2500. 



{All aboard the Polar Express // 2020}

 If you've been around this blog for a while then you know that the Polar Express is an annual tradition in our family! We love making a weekend out of it and camping and doing all things Christmas. Like I said in the Grinch post, it was a little different this year but we still made the most of it. 



{Merry GRINCHmas // 2020}

 I'm sure it goes without saying {this is 2020 afterall}, but our trip to visit the Grinch's Lair looked a little different this year. We had to purchase tickets in advance as they were only letting so many people in at a time. We had 11 in our group so we were basically in there by ourselves. They checked our temperatures at the door and everyone had to wear masks. Also, the Grinch stayed stationary this year instead of running around the lair. Even with this, we had a great time visiting our favorite Grinch's Lair. 



{Nashville Nights and Memphis Mornings}

My Grandparents live only a couple of hours from Nashville so Nate, Mason, and I made the trek over for an evening! I've been to Nashville many times, but Nate and Mase had never been. I'm so glad we made the drive over because we had the most amazing time!! 



{Tennessee - Reelfoot Lake, Trimble TN, and the Lights at Discovery Park of America}

 On one of our days in Tennessee, we spent time exploring the area. Visiting Reelfoot lake was always a staple for us when in the area, so we had to introduce the newest members of our family to it. They have a nature center, a boardwalk, a gift shop, etc. We used to love coming here as kids! 



(Thanksgiving 2020 // Part 2 // Tennessee}

 Part two of our Thanksgiving was spent in Tennessee visiting my dad's side of the family! My Grandparents (dad's parents) live in a tiny town in the northwestern corner of Tennessee. It's a little over a 9-hour drive for us, but certainly not a bad drive. When my siblings and I were younger we used to go a couple times a year to visit, but now that we all have families of our own it's harder to get up there that often. Before last week, it had been 5 years since we've been to TN. That's way too long if you ask me! 



{Thanksgiving 2020 // Part 1}

 Let me preface this by saying our Thanksgiving this year was just amazing!!! We got to spend time with both my mom's side and my dad's side of the family. It's been YEARS since that has happened. The core of my mom's side of the family is here local, but my dad's side is pretty spread out across the globe! While we were missing several, we did enjoy the time we got to spend with those that were able to make it! We just missed Thanksgiving with the Hall side. We missed them terribly! It's so hard to be with everyone during the holidays. 

Our first Thanksgiving was spent with my mom's side of the family on Sunday, November 22nd. We all gathered at my aunt's house for a fabulous feast and amazing fellowship! My dad gathered everyone for a family photo...




{Currently // December 2020}

 It's that time...time for the Currently link-up with Anne in Residence. I've failed at keeping up with the blog once again, but tis' is life at the moment! This month we are sharing what we are currently baking, decorating, gifting, hoping, sending. 




{Currently // November 2020 edition}

 Joining in with Anne in Residence for her "Currently" series. Today we are sharing what we are currently appreciatingorderingperfectingplanning, and wearing.



{PUMPKIN PATCHIN'}

For the last three years, Mason and I have visited this cute little pumpkin patch in Midlothian, TX. It's put on by a church there in town. We found it because it's right next door to Nathan's Grandmother's assisted living facility. We love supporting the church! And, they always have the cutest little photo ops around the patch. Plus, it's a sweet little tradition shared by just Mason and me. 




{Homeschool // 2020}

 Long before Covid hit, we had decided to homeschool Mason for the 2020/2021 school year. It's something we have talked about and prayed about for years and we felt that it was a good time to do so. To be honest, Mason was being held back in his current district. He knew the content and thus was getting very bored in class. Because he was bored, he would start talking and land himself in trouble every day (or so it seemed). Also, there were some changes happening in his district for the next school year, and that helped make our decision even that much easier! 



{Annual Hocus Pocus Movie Night // 2020}

 Back on October 15th, we had our annual Hocus Pocus movie night! We decided to do it on a Thursday evening because we were going out of town the next day. I love this little tradition of ours something fierce! And Mason loves it maybe even more than me. 


{Falling for Fall // Fall 2020 Bucketlist}

The temps here in Texas have been glorious and it's actually starting to really feel like fall. I couldn't love it more if I tried. Fall is my most favorite time of the year and I get so happy and so giddy. I am obsessed with fall weather, fall clothes, fall scents, fall foods, fall festivities, fall traditions, topless rides in the Jeep, fall crafting, etc. September 22nd may have been the actual first day of fall, but my heart was in fall mode after school started (Sept 8). Here's a look at our Fall 2020 Bucketlist. 



{Del Rio, TX // August 2020}

Still playing catch-up here. Back on the weekend of August 7th, we went to visit some of our best friends down in Del Rio, TX. I took off on Friday and Nate was off, so we left super early that morning. We wanted to get there as early as possible to have as much time as we could with them. 


{Jeep Meet at Bluebonnet BBQ // August 2020}

 Back on August 5th we attended a Jeep meet with our local Jeep club. We went to a local BBQ place that just turned over new members. They also have a new menu and did some upgrades to the place. It was neat to see all the new details of Bluebonnet. 


{Jeeps at the Lake // August 1st}

Back on August 1st one of our favorite Jeep groups had a weekend at the lake. We weren't able to camp with the group, so we just went out for one evening. 


{QUARANTINE HOME PROJECT #8 // Wreath Refresh}

I like to switch up my wreaths with the season (or when they start looking ratchet! ha). It was well past time to update this one. I wanted it to be more spring/summery. I think I nailed just that!


{Currently // Sept 2020}

 Hey y'all! It's been 47 days since I last visited this space! I have so much to catch up on. I thought I would come back with the "Currently" post I missed this month. I'll include a little life update below. 



{Halloween & Fall haul from Target // 2020}

 What did we do before the Target dollar spot (or Amazon)? I always find the cutest pieces there. I think I missed the best time to go for fall & Halloween things this year, but still managed to snag a few adorable things. 



{COLORADO // DAY 3 // OPHIR PASS}

 On our way home from Moab we decided to drive Ophir Pass! We were getting back into Colorado at Sunset and got to watch the sunset over the mountains. It was pure magic!! 



{VACATION // DAY 3 // MOAB, UTAH}

 On day three of our Colorado trip, we found ourselves driving 3 hours to Moab, Utah! We couldn't fathom the thought of being that close to Moab and not spending at least 1 day there! For you non-Jeepers out there, this is off-roading heaven!! So many awesome trails. The adrenaline rush on the way there was just about enough to send me over the edge! I couldn't believe we were actually going to Moab after so many years of talking and dreaming about it! 


{COLORADO // DAY 2 // IMOGENE PASS}

 After we walked around Telluride for a bit, we headed to Imogene Pass. This trailhead begins in Telluride and ends in Ouray, CO. It was really neat getting to this trailhead...it's literally right behind a neighborhood in Telluride. As you're climbing up the trail you can see the whole town of Telluride below and if you look across you can see the switchbacks on Black Bear Pass. It was crazy to see a different perspective on the trail we just conquered!! 


{COLORADO // DAY 2 // BLACK BEAR PASS & TELLURIDE}

 On day 2 of our Colorado trip, we woke up bright and early to hit up Black Bear Pass and Imogene Pass. We wanted to be able to conquer both of those trails in one day, so an early morning it was. It was fine by me though, we got to see the sunrise over the mountains! It was such a beautiful drive to the trailhead.


{Colorado // Day 1 // Exploring Silverton, CO}

We began our drive to Colorado on Monday evening (August 17th). We drove a little over 4 hours and then got a hotel for the evening. We wanted to get a jump on the drive so that we had more time to spend in Colorado!! We drove the rest of the way on Tuesday, August 18th, and got into Durango around 3:30 pm.




{Colorado trip // August 2020}

 Much like most of our trips, we decided last minute to head to Colorado for a week. I had already taken off work for a Jeep event (that we later decided we didn't want to go to), Nate had some time off, and Mason's new homeschool start date got pushed back, so we decided we wanted to take a trip somewhere. I mentioned Colorado, of course. I have been wanting to go back to CO for the longest time. Nate mentioned asking some of our friends if they wanted to go and the rest is pretty much history! It really was just a matter of perfect timing for all of us!
 


 

{CURRENTLY // AUGUST 2020}

I have really put this blog on the back burner lately! Summer is so busy for us and I can't keep up with all the things! I have so much catching up to do, but in the meantime here's what I am currently choosingconsumingenjoyingordering, and remembering.




{CHASING SUNSETS // Summer nights at the lake // 2020}

Chasing sunsets is one of my favorite everyday adventures. God is so gracious to give us these beautiful skies and I am so thankful for these little treasures. Every time I see one I am reminded of just how much our Heavenly Father loves us! And how mighty He is.





{Texas Hill Country Loop with Friends/JAT admins}

Friday night around 10 pm we got a wild hair and planned a trip to the Texas Hill Country for....the very next morning!! Lucky for us, we have some pretty awesome friends that are just as spontaneous as us and said "absolutely" to our crazy plans! We were talking about planning an event for a group that Nate and I started {Jeep Around Texas} and wanted to make a pre-run to plan it all out. Our admins and great friends Michael & Keri, and Freddie joined us on this trip and we are so thankful that they did! We had a blast!! 



{Oh THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS // 2020}

{Beach House Tour // Surfside House}

We had so many people ask us about the beach house we were staying at during our recent vacation to Surfside beach. So, I decided to do a beach house tour.


{FREEPORT, TX ~ SURFSIDE BEACH // SUMMER VACATION 2020}

I've been putting this post off for far too long! I think I was intimidated by the number of photos I took (and making the YouTube video). Anyhow, back on June 16th, we headed down to the Freeport, TX / Surfside Beach area for several days! Nate's entire family went and it was the first time in years that we have all been together for a vacation! It was really nice.


{10 ON THE 10TH}

I finally remembered to take 10 pictures on the 10th!! I set an alarm that morning so that I wouldn't forget! The first few pictures will probably look similar to my last 10 on the 10th post because my mornings start out the same each day! I love my time outside with just me and God!


ONE SEC EVERDAY // JUNE 2020

Here's a look at our month of June according to the One Sec Everyday App! I love that this app reminds me to make a conscious effort to take more videos every day. I'm usually just a photo snapper, but I love looking back on videos so much! June was full of spending time with God, sunsets, hanging out on our porch, Jeepin', birthday-ing, beaching, friends, and home projects. 



{Sunflowers // 2020}

It's no secret around here that I love sunflowers! Actually, I am a bit obsessed with them. There is just something so beautiful about sunflowers and sunflower fields. I've posted about them several times on the blog (here, here, here, here, and there were more but I lost all my pictures when Photobucket decided to shut down). We've already been out several times this year and I can't get enough!


{STAR SPANGLED Saturday}

While the 4th of July weekend was a bit different this year (quarantine), we still had an incredible time. Our original morning/afternoon plans of being in the 4th of July parade and then going to the waterpark with the Jeep club were quickly vetoed. We were definitely bummed about the parade because we had so much fun last year. We kind of figured the waterpark thing wouldn't happen because Texas is starting to shut down again. The weekend before they closed down the river floats around here, so it was bound to happen. We didn't even tell Mason about it so that we didn't get his hopes up.


{WEEKEND WRAP-UP // SUNFLOWERS, JEEP RIDES, 4TH OF JULY, ICE CREAM}

We had a really, really good weekend! I was sad to see it go. Nate and I were both off on Friday and Nate was off on Monday! Those extra-long weekends are so incredibly good for the soul. Nate will have an extra-short week this week since his company celebrated the 4th on Monday! And, he's off on Fridays. I sure wish I could say the same. lol. Anyhow, here's a look at our weekend...


{WE FINALLY GOT TO GO WHEELIN' // HIDDEN FALLS // JUNE 2020}

We were so thankful when off-road parks started opening back up (#quarantine)! We couldn't plan a trip quick enough. We invited several but due to other commitments, only us and our friend Freddie were able to go. It ended up being just fine, though. Freddie had added a lot of stuff to his Jeep and we had some new parts to test out.



{CURRENTLY // JULY 2020}

It's that time of the month when we link up with Anne In Residence for the "currently" series. This month we are sharing what we are currently cookingphotographingsharingtrying, and wondering


{QUARANTINE HOME PROJECT #7 // DIY ROUND WOOD "GATHER" SIGN}

You know I love me a good DIY! I started seeing these DIY round wood signs popping up on Pinterest and Facebook and knew I had to make one. And then after we finished our picnic table we had this big empty wall that needed something to fill the space. And then it hit me - a round wood sign. And I knew just what I wanted it to say.


{Weekend Wrap-up // Working in the garage, lake, Sunday Funday with neighbors}

It's been a minute since I have done a "weekend wrap-up"! We had a pretty good one, so why not share?


{Five on Friday // Reminiscing, 4th of July shirt, Skies, Tik Tok, New Kicks}

Happy Friday! I thought this week would really drag since it was the week after a week-long vacation, but it actually went by pretty quick. All the praise hands. I think it helps when work is busy and there are enough chores to do at home (catching up from vacay) in between work. And the best part? We have a pretty chill weekend ahead of us. Nothing really planned. Unless we think of a home project to do. Anyhow, here's a little Five on Friday.


{Don Juans Grand Opening // June 2020}

One of our favorite restaurants from our hometown recently opened a second location about an hour from us near Cedar Creek Lake. Nathan and I have so many memories of this place (at the Grand Prairie location) and have gone there for as long as we can remember. The grand opening for the new location just so happened to be on a Friday (Nate is off on Fridays) and so he and Mason were able to go!


{Mason's 10th birthday party}

We haven't had a birthday party for Mason for the last couple of years. We couldn't seem to fit one in between the end of school and our travel schedule. This year we made it happen! My parents recently got a nice above ground pool and Mason wanted to have his birthday party there. Our nephew's birthday was June 11th so we just combined both boys' celebration together! We were inviting mostly family anyhow. It worked out great!


{Sweet Summertime // Summer 2020 Bucketlist}

The first official day of summer was on June 20th, but let's be real...Texas never plays by that rule! It's been summer for a while around here! It's already hit triple digits more than once. I missed posting this on the 20th because we were on vacation! Until I get around to blogging about our trip, you can see many pictures on my Instagram.  Spoiler alert! It was a good one. Anyhow,  here's a look at our Summer 2020 bucketlist.

{TEN ON THE TENTH // 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SUMMER}

It has been so long since I've done a 10 on the 10th. So, I set an alarm to remind me to take 10 photos throughout the day. I love documenting our days through photos.


{SPRING BUCKETLIST 2020 // UPDATE}

Taking a look at our Spring list and all that we have accomplished. We'll be switching gears into summer mode soon and for that I am excited!



{MASON'S TENTH BIRTHDAY}

Mason's TENTH (gasp!) birthday was the Monday we got back from our Fredericksburg camping trip. It was also Memorial Day! I'm so glad that we were able to come home from camping a day early and wake up in our own beds for his birthday morning! Otherwise, we would have been driving for almost 4 hours on his birthday.


{FIVE ON FRIDAY // DIY SHELVING & STORAGE, MASON'S WELL CHECK, HOME}

It's been forever since I have written a Five on Friday post! Since I'm no longer writing the "Our Quarantined Life" posts, I thought this would be a good way to dump out some of the week's randomness. So, here goes...