After we got back from the tree farm, we put the tree in the stand but we still haven't decorated it.  Ryan started putting up the lights on the outside of the house but isn't quite done yet so no pic or video of them on.  But here's him trying not to fall off the ladder, lol.

Yesterday we went to the Christmas tree farm and got our tree.  There weren't quite as many big trees as we were hoping so we ended up getting one about the same size as last year (8 -9ft).  We were hoping for 10 - 11ft but there just weren't very many that were that tall and in good shape.  As usual, all the kids had a great time!  Nate and Kayla decided not to come so we had Greg & Melissa (and their three kids), Corine (and her two kids), Mary, Al & Doreen (and their granddaughter) and us (and Willow).  We had quite the posse, lol.  The kids jumped on the bounce pillow, rode the zip lines, rode the ponies, went to the petting zoo and helped us look for a tree. I think there were also pictures with santa, a train ride and a few other things but I can't remember which ones they did this time.  Here's me and Willow guarding the tree that we picked out and waiting for Ryan to come cut it down:

Last night Mary and Corine went black friday shopping at Walmart at 8pm and then again to Kohl's at midnight but I stayed behind - too tired and full from Thanksgiving.  But today I went with Melissa and her mom out to Kohl's and then a bunch of other stores.  Fortunately the crowds weren't too bad and Melissa's mom was able to get pretty much everything she wanted to buy.  Melissa bought a few things for the girls for Christmas and all I bought was one small gift for Aubrey and a dress for the rehearsal.  I found a dress that I thought I liked but they only had it in a size four - I used to be a four but now I'm typically a six.  I thought the dress was a bit tight and wasn't going to get it but the lady at the store suggested I buy it anyways since it's such a good deal and then come back next week to see if they put out more sizes of the same dress (but the sale was only today).  If I end up keeping it I'll post a pic later :)  Now for a preview of tomorrow's fun:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  This year, Ryan and I drove up to St. Augustine to spend Thanksgiving with his mom, brother and sister.  This was the first year that his sister Corine hosted Thanksgiving dinner at her house and everything turned out great.  I think she was a little worried since they don't cook much but when we left the kids were exhausted and everyone was stuffed so I'd say it was pretty successful! 

I love reading on Facebook about everyone's meals they made and all the different dishes.  What's your favorite dish or menu?  If I make dinner, here's what I make:

Turkey (of course)
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Crescent Rolls
Stuffing
Apple Pie (and sometimes Pecan Pie too)
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars

I've never been a big fan of sweet potatoes or cranberries although Ryan really likes the canned cranberry jelly stuff so I will put that out for him if I'm cooking :)

Lastly, to celebrate the day I did whip up a few turkey day shirts for my nieces/nephews, check 'em out!

In addition to the wedding coming up, it’s almost Thanksgiving and then Christmas is right around the corner!  I realized that by the time we get back from the honeymoon we will be within a day or so of the USPS Christmas mailing deadline so I need to purchase any presents that have to be mailed before the wedding!  So far I’m only done shopping for one person and I have quite a few left to do so hopefully I will be able to get some of it figured out during Black Friday shopping.  This year we are going to do Thanksgiving dinner at Ryan’s sister Corine’s house.  This will be the first year she’s hosted it at her house (at least since Ryan and I have been together) so it should be a fun change.  I’m sure her kids will be really excited to have everyone come over to their house too.

I’m sorry I never got around to my movie reviews but I’m so busy that I don’t think it’s going to happen.  So here’s the quick recap:

I did actually do a little bit of sewing recently!!  I made an awesome present for my little sister Amanda.  Unfortunately I forgot to take pics (plus she hasn’t gotten it yet so I couldn’t post them anyways) so hopefully she will take a few pics when she gets it and put them on facebook or something for me.  This week, I am hoping to make a couple Thanksgiving onesies for my nieces & nephews (just 3 total this time, not like Halloween where I made a ton).  I am also working on a small sewing project for my bridesmaids that will have to wait to get officially put up until after the wedding so I don’t spoil the surprise.  I also made an adorable ring bearer pillow for the wedding.  I embroidered a little bird and birdcage onto some cotton, sewed a ribbon at the top and then turned it into a pillow.  I even put a strap on the back for our ring bearer to put his hand through!  I might have to start selling these on Etsy – it is seriously adorable!

I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since I blogged!  Time is flying by now!  I feel like it was just yesterday that I just wrote but I guess not.  Well, what’s been happening over the last two weeks?  Hmm…Here’s a little bit now and then I’ll post more over the next day or so  (I promise I won’t forget!).

Since Halloween and the party, we were gradually trying to clean up (well by "we" I mean "me").  Then on Thursday night, I wanted to get all the Halloween stuff taken down and some of the cleaning done so I could finish cleaning and return to normal activities over the weekend.  I was trying to get him to help me a little bit and he wouldn't help at all.  I finally said "lets try to clean the inside of the house so we don't live in this pigsty anymore" and he responded "I'd rather have more clean laundry than a clean house".  I was so mad.  I basically reminded him where the washer and dryer are.  I then proceeded to spend the entire night cleaning and doing laundry while he sat on the couch watching youtube videos.  I was very upset that he wouldn't help at all.  On Friday, he had the day off and I had to work.  He must have known I was angry because I came home and EVERY single Halloween decoration was down and put away and most of the cleaning was done.  I couldn't believe it!  After that, I've been trying to not ask for help the rest of the weekend - just let him watch football and do other stuff.  We watched a couple movies too (reviews coming soon).

Since Ryan did so much cleaning for me, I was able to start doing some wedding stuff again. 

•  We finished choosing all the songs for the reception (believe it or not there are about 20 you have to pick) and the ceremony. 
•  I ordered a necklace and bracelet for myself on Etsy. 
•  I ordered a moss basket to decorate for the flower girl and got supplies to embellish it.