Christmas Morning 2016

Thankful for these Turkeys

 Bauer turned 8 months and his first tooth popped through!

 and JR, my growing photographer, took these last two... and told us how to pose!

A Chicken, Police Officer and a Cheeseburger

The kids sure enjoyed Halloween week!  Daddy was out of town & we were sad he couldn't join all of the fun. Thankfully Nana & Papa D. were in town over the weekend (watch my dad's sermon at Crossroads {here}) so the kids were able to dress up and "Trunk or Treat" at the Y!  Then the kids and I spent Halloween with friends and way too much candy. 

 Throughout the day, Vera had on several costumes and I told her whatever she was dressed in when we left the house was going to be her costume for the night :) So she went from a kitten to 3 different princesses with butterfly wings to a cheeseburger- haha! A cheeseburger who wanted sparkly blush on her cheeks.  The police officer added a Darth Vader mask later on, but Bauer was the cutest little chicken the whole night!

We have since hidden all of the candy and found all of Vera's secret stashes throughout the house... we think!

( and {here} is a photo of Bauer with his chicken buddies)

Easter Photoshoot Tips

I know I'm not the only mother who wants a sweet Easter photo every year of the family. Well, I'll even just settle for one good photo of the kids on Easter! But I've learned that I will never get the photo I want on the actual day :) Patrick is usually headed off to church super early. I'm usually (always) running late getting the kids and myself ready, so a photo before church with their messy Easter baskets is pretty chaotic.

Then by the time we leave Easter service everyone is hungry and it's nap time. Dresses are wrinkled, stained or like last year one of them throws up on the way home!!! Haha Needless to say, I have decided to not worry myself with any Easter Day photos unless they just "happen". I set aside my camera and their outfits the week before and on the first sunny day that week when everyone is happy, we head outside to "play" while I snap away! No stress! Their outfits have time to be washed if the inevitable grass stain or spill happens. No timeline and pressure to have everyone smiling posing for one shot- just carefree play captured! And then all of us mamas have those holiday photos to glance at each year. We see how much they've grown or remember their favorite toy that year that never left their side. Sweet moments captured without the frazzled chaos or the forced photo as we left for church and attempted one posed photo by the front door.

So have your cameras or Iphones ready for a laid back Easter photoshoot this week.  And don't hesitate to pass out some Easter candy for even bigger smiles :)

Black Friday Sales, Giveaways and my Favorite Shops!

It's the time when we can all get our Christmas shopping finished and buy everything we do not need just because it's on sale!  And this isn't just confined to Friday anymore- lots of sales are already happening and continuing through Cyber Monday.  I thought I would share a few shops that I have my eye on over this Black Friday shopping extravaganza... we've gotta help each other out and share the sales! 

If you haven't heard of my love for Root Makeup products, then you must not be following me on Instagram ;) (@everydaypitpat) Root is packing this Thanksgiving full of sales, giveaways and new products that you won't want to miss!  "Pretty Points" just started on the Root website- you can earn pretty points by creating an account, visiting the website, purchases, referring friends and more to help you earn free products! So head over to the Root Website {here} and create your wish list, so you are ready for the sales to hit!  Use my coupon code "Savannahg" for 10% off your first order! One of the first sales Wednesday- if you spend $75 you get their 100% Lash Natural Mascara for FREE! (all natural ingredients and smells like vanilla**) Special $25 Gift Card giveaways are already going on Instagram {@rootpretty}

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Stella Bella Boutique is restocking a ton of gorgeous necklaces and druzy posts Wednesday at 9am Eastern!!  I plan on sharing more about her newest line of necklaces "The Stones Collection" in a future post, but I promise you will want to check these out! This beautiful line sold out extremely fast and will probably go quick tomorrow after her restock so set your alarms. I think one of the Stones Necklaces would be the perfect heartfelt gift for a friend or family member this Christmas, but maybe it is a gift you want to add to your list. Something to wear as a reminder throughout the overwhelming holiday season- it's okay to treat yourself ;) Follow on Instagram {here} for sale announcements!

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Other Shops I'm following for special sales: 

Blanqi Maternity: I've heard their leggings are amazing during pregnancy and after!

Wild Explorers: My favorite shop for moccasins and now tees and raglans!  Vera has worn her gold moccs for one full year (amazing quality!) and it's time for a new pair. I'm pretty sure JR needs the "It's Adventure Time" shirt to wear when new baby brother is born :)

Solly Baby: Baby Wraps (Sale goes live Thursday at 12 AM EST)

Sloan & Co: The sweetest bracelets and tees- would be precious as a stocking stuffer! (Sale starts at 8 PM PST Thanksgiving through Monday)

Evy's Tree: The Sales are already going on now!! Luxury Hoodies, I mean :) I've had my eye on these for awhile and some would even fit a baby bump! BOGO 60% off plus double rewards to earn towards free pieces.

K. Slade: American Made Handbags and Leather- so gorgeous! Definitely one of those unique special gifts for someone you love... or the gift you hint to everyone and write 3 times on your wish list ;) Check out her Instagram {here} from Friday-Monday for sale announcements. And don't forget to add a monogram! There's nothing better than a personalized Christmas gift.

E&E Teepees: Because what child (or adult) doesn't want a Teepee for Christmas!?!? Great deals on 4 of her teepee styles already on sale in the shop!

I wish I was organized this year and had our Christmas Cards ready!  I usually try to order them on Black Friday or Cyber Monday to get the best deals from Minted or MPixPro.

Of course Everyday Pitter Patter will be having some HUGE sales starting Wednesday!!!  Check back here and on Instagram for all the details :)

Now, I helped y'all out with some sale details... what shops did I miss?  Which ones are on your list that we need to know about?  Or are you braving the crowds and going into actual stores- haha!  Good Luck!

Pumpkin Carving & Halloween

Clearly, we are not professional pumpkin carvers :) but I am just glad we actually got around to carving them this year!  Vera requested a princess pumpkin and John Ryman wanted batman. Patrick toasted all the pumpkin seeds- a salty olive oil batch & a pumpkin spice and sugar batch- so delicious!

Trick or Treating was a little rainy by the time we left church on Saturday night, but the kids still loved it!  John Ryman was Superman and Vera was Doc McStuffins :) It was fun not having to carry anyone this year & just let them walk with their big bags of candy.  Vera was so specific asking each house for "two pieces, two candies please" while holding up 3 fingers and then singing Doc McStuffins from house to house.  Here are a few blurry iphone photos:

He is Risen!

 Happy Easter!

 Snapped a few pictures of these kiddos last night.  Easter is always a busy day so I like to have a couple before just in case I don't have the chance on Sunday.  And as usual, JR gets goofy and Vera screams because she ate all the jelly beans :)

Simple Easter Decor

 Once I steam my chair covers & take my sewing machine off one end of the table ;) I'll show you all more of my new dining room table from Louisville Farm Tables.  I absolutely love it!  (I chose the white legs with the dark stain on top.)

Here are some of the kids favorite Easter books:

A few ideas to save money on seasonal items...

My mom went into Half Price Books and found tons of Easter books in great condition for $1 each! I always forget to run in that store, but I'll never buy books anywhere else now!  And I always save $5-$10 for after each season to browse the 75% off clearance.  Then it's extra exciting to get out your (cheap) new Easter decor the next year!  Even little things like festive paper plates or an Easter banner can save you lots of money next year.