{Weekend Wrap-up // 3rd Grade Dance, Birthdays, Jeep Fest, church and bridal dress shopping}

Happy Tuesday y'all! It's 10:27 am and I am just now getting to start this post. Life has been CRAAAZZAAAYYY. But, I am sure most of you can relate with it being the end of the school year. There is so much going on around this time of year. And on top of that, we are leaving to go camping this weekend. So, I'm trying to prepare for all of the fun themed days Mason has this week, plus get us ready for camping. But, on the bright side, we are this close to summer!!!! Can I get an amen?  I just hope those summer weekends do not fly by as fast as this last one did. Here's a look at this past weekend.

{3 Things May}

My sweet friend Andrea shared a fun link-up called "Three Things May" and I wanted to join in. By the way, if you're not following Andrea do yourself a favor and head over there now. She's the sweetest most adorable human being you'll meet! I just adore her. Anyhow, here are my three things May.

{Sunday Funday}

A few weeks ago we had some Jeep friends over our house to hang out! We helped install some inner fenders on one of the Jeeps, but mostly we just hung out. It's always a fun time when we are all together. 

{Mother's Day weekend}

Happy Monday! I hope all of you mamas had a really great Mother's Day weekend! We had a fabulous weekend filled with so much family time. Friday and Saturday were pretty much a rainy mess, but Sunday was gorgeous. Here's a look at our weekend.

{Five on Friday // Dress Up week, One Second Every day, Rose, Camp, Life on Back Forty}

Happy Friday! This week actually went by pretty fast for me. Sunday through Tuesday night/Wednesday morning I had a migraine so that was blah! And then Wednesday it poured and poured. And as of right now the forecast is showing rain until Monday. Nonetheless, I am ready for the weekend. Here's a bit of what went on this week for Five on Friday...

{Unlimited Off-Road Show // 2019}

Back at the beginning of April, we attended the Unlimited Off-Road show at Texas Motor Speedway. It was a Saturday/Sunday event and I worked the entire time. On Saturday Nathan and I volunteered with some friends to work the first shift for the actual event itself. They needed volunteers something fierce and we didn't mind helping! We also got a free shirt as well as free admission for both days events! Definitely worth it. 

{Teacher Appreciation Week // Gift Ideas}

Happy Teacher appreciation week! It's the time to love on those teachers that pour into our children's hearts, minds and souls day after day. I couldn't be more grateful for the teachers that Mason has been blessed with! There are a million different ways of doing "teacher appreciation" but the method I've done since Mason was in Preschool is a smallish gift each day with a bigger gift on Friday. Here is what I am doing for Mason's teachers this year.

{Spring 2019 Bucketlist}

With my blogging hiatus I am a little late sharing our Spring bucketlist, but better late than never right? We've already crossed off several things on our list, but we've still got more to do! Here is a look at everything we hope to do this spring.

{Ellis County Jeep Meet}

Our local Jeep club has a meet up once a month. Our April meet up was at a new burger place in town only about 5 minutes from our house. Because of this, we took both Jeeps. The owners of the restaurant let us all park out in the field behind the place. There was a huge dirt/rock pile and you know as Jeepers we couldn't stay off. The owners were completely cool with it and even came out to take photos! Nate and I had both of our Jeeps on the dirt/rock pile, but it was hard to get shots with both Jeeps together.

{Easter at the Halls // 2019}

On Tuesday I shared our Easter at the lake, today I am going to share about our Easter with the Halls. We gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate Easter and it was a lovely time. Nathan's Grandma was able to come and spend a few hours with us and it was just lovely.

{Currently // May 2019}

Happy May 1st!! I have mixed feelings about this month!! I am super excited because it's the last month of school (bring on summer!!!!), but then it's bittersweet because it's Mason's last month at his current school. He will be turning 9 on the 25th of May and will start 4th grade in August. Which, is at a different campus! How did we get here so fast? I don't even want to think about it. So, instead, let's take a look at what's currently going on.  Here is a look at what I am currently admiring, playing, borrowing, remembering, and finishing.

{Easter at the Lake}

Two of my mom's sisters have lakehouses right across from each other on Cedar Creek Lake. This year we decided to have a full day of Easter celebrations at the lakehouses on the Saturday before Easter. It was such a fun time. There were nearly 60 of us there, and it was just amazing. It was our first family gathering since Granny passed, so that was different. But, we all enjoyed each other's company.

{Weekend Wrap-up // Field trip, lake, Waco Zoo, Bluebonnets, birthday celebration, wedding dress shopping}

Although the weekend went by entirely too fast, it sure was a good one. And I'm not even mad about starting a new week because it's one week closer to summer! Mason and I are counting down the days. We live for our sweet, sweet summers around here. Here's a look at our weekend.

{Five on Friday // Five other things that happened in April}

Happy finally Friday!! It's been a long, crazy week. Mason was off school on Monday and Nathan stayed home because he was not feeling well. And because of this, our days were so thrown off all week! Wednesday was bring your kid to work day at Nate's company, my brother had to have surgery yesterday and then Nate and Mason are on a field trip today. I've been working and cleaning the house in between while the boys are gone and just remembered I never finished this post. So, here's a little Five on Friday...Five other things that happened in April. (still playing catch-up)

{Chasing Sunsets // Spring 2019}

If you've been around my blog for any length of time then you know that taking a backroad in the Jeep to chase a sunset is one of my favorite things ever! We usually catch some really great sunsets over the lake or a farm just outside of town. This spring has offered us some really great sunsets so far!

{January, February, March and April update}

It has been quite a while since I have touched this space! While I have thought about blogging many times throughout the last few months, there just wasn't enough time in the day. But I do know that when I go to look back at my blog one day I will be sad about the gaps that I missed. So, I am going to make an attempt to make time for my little corner of the web. I have a lot of catching up to do so I am going to catch up on the highlights from each month.

{February in Numbers // 2019}

Those blogging breaks...never intentional, but always refreshing. Life just took off and happened and the blog got put on the back burner. But, that's the beauty of this space, I can post when I want. I do miss reading all of my favorite blogs, though. I will be playing major catch-up on those. For today, here's a post for February in Numbers...

{Currently // February 2019}

Happy Hump Day! This week is flying by and I am just trying to stay afloat. I've had a pretty hefty daily to-do list and I think that's why the week is going by so quickly. Today is Currently with Anne and we're talking about what we are currently anticipating, going, making, watching, and wearing.

anticipating - the fun to come with the Jeep group I am now an ambassador for! They go to most of the Jeep events we go to, but now I get to be a part of it. And hang out with some awesome ladies!  And the weekend. See below! 

going -  to a Jeep club meet tomorrow,  the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo this weekend, Blessing of the Jeeps the following weekend, Arkansas for spring break, the pickle parade in March, Lonestar Jeep invasion also in March, Unlimited Off-road show in April, Mason Texas in May...so much fun stuff planned! 

making - Faux leather earrings by the boatload. I've had some creative juices flowing lately and thought of some different designs to make. I can't stop!!! Also, I found the motherload of leather scraps while at Canton First Monday last weekend. So many great pieces! 

watching - Nothing. Unless YouTube counts. In that case I am watching Lite Brite, Jess and the Jeep, Epic Family Road Trip, Off the Ranch, The Offroad Rhino, and King of the Hammers.

wearing - t-shirts & flip flops one day and parkas the next. Welcome to Texas, y'all!!! The weather here can't ever make up it's mind! 

What are you currently anticipating, going, making, watching, and wearing?

{31 things that made me smile in January}

Apparently, I'm all about list making right now! Throughout the month of January, I kept a list going of things that made me smile. 31 things for 31 days. I love to focus on the positive and to document those sweet little moments. Here is a list of 31 things that made me smile in January...

{January // Our month in numbers}

I will echo everyone else and say that January always feels forever long! Every time I'd go to file something on my work computer I would seriously say to myself "how is it still January?" And I saw a meme the other day that said something to the effect of "we are now in the third month of January" and it made me laugh. Feels so true! Anyhow, here's a look at our January by numbers:

{Five on Friday // Five things}

Happy finally Friday! And happy finally February. We did it. We made it through January. Wahooooo! Last Friday I switched up my Five on Friday a bit and did a 5 things post. It was a whole lot of random, but I am digging it. I think it may be the new normal around here.

{Scenes of the Season 2018 // Part 3}

I know, I know...we are already 3 months into January, but I have another photo dump of...

{Pinterest to Project // vol. 8 // DIY Hogwarts shirt}

This next Pin to Project was a mix of Mason's idea and Pinterest. He came home from school one day telling me he wanted a Hogwarts shirt to wear to school. So, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. I, of course, put my spin on it. Mason is allowed to wear spirit shirts to school as long as they have the school colors, mascot or school name on it.

{Chasing Sunsets in the Jeep}

If you've been around my blog or my Instagram for a while you probably know that chasing sunsets is one of my favorite things ever! Often times throughout the week (or even on the weekend) we will hop in the Jeep, take some back roads and chase the sunset. I hope that the amazing and beautiful work of God is something that I never ever take for granted! And, it's such a good 'reset' for me.

{Weekend Wrap-up // rock lights, Starwood, chasing sunsets}

Happy Monday! I sure hate to see those weekends go. Especially when you're sick for a good part of it. I call a do-over! Oh, how I wish. We still managed to have a really great weekend. Here's a look at our weekend wrap-up.

{Five on Friday // Five things}

Happy Friday! I've been absent from this space for a bit. The last time I posted was last Friday. I didn't mean to let that happen. Life just got busy and I took up a new hobby which I will explain more about below. That's usually how it goes...I get busy with something else and then I totally neglect this space. Anyhow, I'm back with a Five on Friday...

{Little Letters // January 2019}

J • A • N • U • A • R • Y

Time for the Little Letters link-up with Kristin at Taz and Belly!! I'm so happy that this link-up will continue throughout 2019! I missed posting this last Friday (because spontaneous road trip), but better late than never. Right? Writing these Little Letters lets me free up some random things floating around my head. To read my past Little Letters click H E R E. Here are my letters for this month...

{Ruidoso, NM // First trip of 2019}

I posted on Instagram earlier in the day that I was in a funk when it came to taking pictures and posting on Instagram now that Christmas is over. And also talked about how school started back and we were trying to get back into a routine all the while my gypsy/Jeepsy soul was craving some spontaneous adventure. I was sitting in the car pick up line at Masons school on Thursday afternoon when it hit me...go find some adventure! We had some Christmas money saved up from my dad that we could use to make some awesome memories. So I got home and typed up an email to Nate with my proposal. He replies “I’m down...now let’s figure out where.” I replied with “let’s start with Sam (our dog boarding friend) first. She had an opening and we were ecstatic!! We both looked online for places within 4 hours of home since it would be a quick weekend trip. We talked about Jefferson, Broken Bow, the hill country, Hot Springs, etc. but the forecast was showing nothing but rain all weekend in every place that we researched. Not to mention that all of the state/national parks were shut down due to the government shutdown. Deep down we both wanted snow! We talked about going to Colorado or New Mexico over Christmas break but it just didn’t work out with the way Christmas fell, birthdays and my work schedule. So at about 6:00 pm that evening we decided to just go for it and travel to Ruidoso, NM. While it’s 8 hours from us it’s an easy drive. 

{Ruidoso, New Mexico // Trip recap by the numbers}

This weekend we road-tripped to Ruidoso, New Mexico for a spontaneous mountain (and snow) getaway! I will go into more detail in tomorrow's full recap, but for today I wanted to recap our trip by numbers. This is such a fun way to recap a trip and I really enjoy doing it! I didn't keep up with Sunday numbers very well because we were just driving home and I was too busy going through pictures and videos!!

{Scenes of the Season 2018 // Part 2}

Another photo dump of...

{New Years Eve 2018 // New Years Day 2019}

The older I get the more I am all for a low-key New Years Eve with my family. What better way to ring in the New Year than with the people I love the most? We pretty much stayed in pajamas all day on New Year's Eve and it was glorious! We were just hanging out at home when Mason grabs his phone around 8pm and calls his Nana to ask if we could come over because "it's tradition to be at your house on New Years". He's so my kid. Those traditions are important to us. So off to Nana's we went...

{Medieval Times}

Back on December 29th our brother and sister in law invited us to go to Medieval times with them. We didn't tell Mason and let it be a surprise. He had been begging us to go back there for months so you can imagine his excitement when he saw us pulling up to Medieval Times! He was ecstatic!

{Scenes of the Season 2018 // Part 1}

I know that everyone is well past Christmas by now, but I took so many pictures over the Christmas season and want them posted here in this space! My phone averaged about 12,000 pictures and videos at any given time. I'd delete 2-3000 of them and then the next week, boom, back up to 12k. So, a round up of all the scenes of the season it is. Or in other words, a photo dump. I promise not to post 12,000 photos, though. Maybe just half. ha.

{Weekend Wrap-up // Soaking up that family time}

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great first weekend of January! We sure did. We didn't do too much, but we had an amazing time nonetheless. We soaked up our last few days of all being home together. Nate is back to work today and Mase and I are bummed. Mason goes back to school on Wednesday and I am dreading it! Anyhow, here is our Weekend Wrap-up...

{Christmas 2018 Bucketlist Update}

Creating a seasonal bucketlist is one of my favorite things to do and recap on this blog! We have so many fun seasonal traditions and I love it. We only missed ONE item on our 2018 Christmas bucketlist this year! ONE! But, I am bummed to say that the one thing we missed just happens to be one of my favorite things...Bethlehem Revisited. It only happens for 2 weekends in December and we were already booked for the first weekend. And then the next weekend it rained. I am sad that we didn't make it this year, but it will only make next year even sweeter! Here's a look at the things we did complete.

{Christmas 2018}

Our 2018 Christmas was one for the books! We had such an amazing time with family & friends and created so many memories. I absolutely love this time of year and get so depressed when it's over. Taking down the Christmas decor is the saddest! Anyhow, here's a look at our...

{Currently // January 2019}

Whoa! It feels so weird to write 2 0 1 9 instead of 2018. And if I'm being honest, I had to make a conscious effort to write or type the correct year. It will take me at least a month to get over writing 2018. It always does. Anyhow, Happy New Year! Let's jump right into the new year with a "Currently" link-up from Anne in Residence. I linked up most of last year, minus the few months I took off from blogging. It's a link-up that I enjoy and look forward to each month! Here's a look at my Currently...January edition:

choosing: GOALS! GOALS! GOALS! I'm not a New Year's resolutions kind of girl, but I do like to create goals for the new year. I have so much I want to do this year. I will share more on this later. 2019 is going to be a great year!! 

tidying: the house! The aftermath of Christmas is no joke! I'm sad that Christmas is over. Like, incredibly bummed. But, if it has to be over then I am ready to get my house back in order. I'm ready for the simplicity of the house without the Christmas clutter! It's going to look so bare and empty. 

resolving: to make 2019 an exceptionally great year for my sweet family! I want to travel more and make as many memories as we possibly can. 

exploring: All the places we can visit and travel to this year! There is so much of the world to see. We bought the Jeep to Jeep Around Texas and we need to do more of that. I hope to also visit Colorado, New Mexico and maybe even Tennesee. All of my favorite mountain states!! 

refreshing: I need to refresh my wardrobe! I got some gift cards for Christmas and I think I'm going to use them on clothes! 

What are you currently choosing, tidying, resolving, exploring and refreshing?

{2018 // a year in Review}

Good morning and Happy Monday! I took a break from this space and Instagram for a couple of weeks to fully enjoy and embrace the holidays with my sweet family. And that I did! I will recap Christmas soon, but today I wanted to take a look back at 2018. It's always bittersweet, the last day of the year. 2018 was filled with so many great times, but I also look forward to what 2019 has in store for us. Here is a look at 2018 with Hall Around Texas...

{Merry JEEPmas // Christmas parade}

I love having a red Jeep, but man I love it even more during the month of December! It's just perfect for all things Christmas. And you know I love me some Christmas. Before we named the Jeep Rooster we legit almost named it Rudolph! No joke! Or Rudy, rather, for short. During the Christmas season, I put a red nose and antlers on the Jeep and everyone and their Grandma's dog calls it Rudolph. I don't hate it. I love all things Christmas and now all things JEEPmas!

{Pinterest to Project // vol. 7 // DIY Jeep Snowglobe // 2 versions}

This next project was a fun one for me! I mean, they're all fun, but I might have squealed after I completed this one. If you know me, then you know I am obsessed with Jeeps. I bought my first Jeep (a 1985 CJ 7) shortly after high school and have loved them ever since. Anyhow, a friend sent me this pin a while ago and I knew I had to recreate it. We were at the store one day and Mason found a red Jeep Matchbox car and I knew it was the perfect piece for my snowglobe!

{#2018ChristmasMoments // Christmas Photo Challenge}

One of my favorite things to do each year is to follow Stephanie's Christmas Photo Challenge. I was so excited this year when she asked me to help co-host it! I love taking and sharing photographs of all things Christmas on Instagram! It's my absolute favorite. Below are the prompts and today I want to share my photos for days 1-12 (half of the challenge).

{Deckin' the halls // Christmas Home Tour 2018}

Deckin' the Halls is one of my favorite things to do around Christmas-time. Usually, Mason and I will decorate the entire house on the day that we get our Christmas tree {from the Christmas Tree farm} while Nate works on the "exterior illumination" {National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation anyone?}. But, this year I started decorating the house about 2 weeks prior to us getting the Christmas tree. There were a few reasons for this, but mostly because I was excited and I wanted to take my time with the decorating. And if I'm being honest, to decorate and redecorate a few times. It really is a lot to do it all in one day! I'm so glad we did it this way because just decorating the tree took a full day! Whew...

{Merry Grinchmas // 2018}

One of our favorite things to do each year is visiting our favorite Grinch while in Palestine, TX. We normally visit him while were are there for the Polar Express. Only it didn't work out this time. Grinch didn't open until the weekend after we were at Polar Express! We, and especially Mason, were so bummed! But, we made a plan to go back and visit another weekend. And that we did! We had a whole Grinch themed day!

{Weekend Wrap-up // a festive December weekend; Camp Verde, Breakfast with Santa, Church}

Hello Monday!! How we are already 10 days into the month of December is beyond me!! But, I do know that we are enjoying this sweet season something fierce. I love the month of December and all of the festiveness. Nathan worked overtime on Saturday and Sunday, but we still managed to have a pretty amazing weekend! Here's a look at our festive weekend...

{The Magic of PNP - Portable North Pole}

This post is sponsored by PNP. All opinions are 100% my own.

Keeping the magic alive at Christmas time is one of my top priorities as a mother. I know that there is only a limited time as a kid when they truly believe and my goal is to make that season as magical as can be. For years now, the PNP has been helping me do just that with personalized Santa videos and phone calls (posts here, here and here). Mason is such a big-time believer in all of the magical parts of Christmas and I pray that we have many, many years of that. Thanks to amazing tools like the Portable North Pole I think we have a pretty good chance at accomplishing that goal.

{O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree}

It's a family tradition for us to celebrate all things Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. No black Friday shopping for us! We opt for going to the Christmas tree farm and decorating, instead. My friend Whitney called this day "Christmas Friday" and I loved it so much! I will never think of this day as anything other than Christmas Friday from here on out! Anyhow, we woke up Friday morning around 8:30 and started getting ready to head to our favorite tree farm, Yesterland. We love this farm because they offer so much for the kids to do! There's a Santa, rides, rows, and rows of beautiful trees, a candy shop, a playground, a general store, etc. It never disappoints.

{Currently // December 2018}

Merry December!! I am once again joining Anne for a Currently link-up. This month's prompts are all holiday related and making my Christmas loving heart oh so happy. For December we are sharing what we are currently gifting, baking, singing, mailing, and decorating. 

{Happy HOWL-idays from our Christmas pups // 2018}

My pups must think I am the nuttiest fur mama ever! But, they mostly oblige to all of my photo taking antics. Well, Lexi does because she's a sweet and obedient little thing and Diesel? Well, he will do anything for a treat. ha. We recently took Christmas photos of the pups and I couldn't love them more.

{Polar Express 2018 // the actual ride}

One last and final post for our 2018 Polar Express weekend! Our tickets for the Polar Express were for Saturday evening at 8pm. We like to take the last train ride of the evening because it feels more like the movie. And it's just so dang magical. We arrived a little early to get our tickets and then we hung out waiting to board the train. We visited the gift shop, took pictures, got popcorn, etc. while we waited. Mason and I wanted to buy the Polar Express book because we surprisingly do not have that one, but they didn't have any available. Note to self for next year; order the book prior to going!