This Unfamiliar Road

Wow y'all...it's been a busy month! December is always crazy with holiday gatherings, decorating, crafts, baking, shopping, and wrapping gifts!
I feel fortunate that most of our time has been spent with family and friends...that's what the season is all about :)

We kicked off the Christmas season by attending an annual Christmas PJ party at the Chiodo's home! Pee Wee's Christmas Special and peppermint mochas were the highlights of the evening :)



We ventured to Kinsey Family Farms to get our Christmas tree. I love this beautiful nursery, and the family-friendly atmosphere and activities!




After a short nap for all, we got to decorating the tree! Peyton was super excited to put the ornaments on, but chickened out when it came to the tree topper!





The annual "Ciwcle Party" was lots of fun! We all agreed that the tone of this party has drastically changed since the first one...maybe the 5 kiddos in attendance has something to do with it!



Of course, we couldn't get through the season without a visit to see Santa! This guy is the real deal, y'all (and the same one that I visited when I was a child...and he hasn't aged AT ALL)!

Peyton was super excited, and her normal social, bubbly self. Eliza slept through it all. Overall, no complaints here :)


I hope you are all enjoying your season as much as we are!

Recently, Ben participated in his first BBQ competition! He has become more involved in competition grilling over the past year (yes, this is something you can compete in!) and has really grown to love it.

After months of preparation and practice, competition weekend finally arrived! It was very hectic, and I don't think any of us realized just how much was involved. Ben and his team spent days setting up, and pulled an all-nighter to be ready for a 9:00am turn in on Saturday.




 The team entered wings, ribs, chicken, pork, and sauce. Ben repeatedly said that for his very first competition, he would be thrilled to place in the top 10 of any category.
So imagine our surprise when his team won FIRST place for sauce!
Keep in mind that in this category, the team was competing against both backyard and professional grillers, including folks who have bottled sauces that are sold in stores!


 


I am so proud of my husband for working hard to prepare for competition. I think this win just fueled the fire (so to speak....) to prepare for the next one and figure out a way to bottle and sell that award-winning sauce!



Happy Grillin' :)

It's hard to believe, but it's time for another Bean update. This little babe is growing fast!


Eating: Every 3 hours on average. Of course, at this age, the growth spurts are pretty frequent!

Sleeping: Things have definitely improved in this area! Eliza typically goes 4 1/2 hours between feeds at night, and settles right back down after eating. We've moved her to her own room and her habits have become a bit more routine now. Last night, she slept from 8pm-5:30am!

 Stats: 24 inches long (97% ile) and 12lb, 12oz (80% ile). Eliza is wearing 3 and 6 month clothing.


Little Liza Cate,

I am just loving your easygoing nature! This age is so fun because something as simple as blowing a raspberry can produce a BIG grin and giggle (unless, of course, I have the camera out!).
It is precious how enamored you are with your big sister, and I hope I can continue to foster a good relationship between you two. We love you sweet girl :)

This year, we had plans to spend Thanksgiving at a cabin in the North Georgia mountains. However, on Tuesday morning, we realized there had been a booking error so our plans changed quickly!
We were determined to make the most of it, so the party was moved to my house where we had a fabulous sleepover (even though my parents & sisters live just 9 miles away...)!
It was tons of fun, and the slumber party allowed us to all relax without worrying about getting kids in bed or letting the dogs out. We stayed up way too late playing games, and enjoyed lounging around on Friday.

 





On Friday, we enjoyed sleeping in a bit, eating leftovers, and getting our Christmas season started! Oh, and lounging :)



No Thanksgiving post would be complete without some shots of the family snoozing...here are my faves!




Our day turned out to be perfect!
Christmas season has officially begun....lots of fun posts in the near future so check back soon!

Blanket Scarf. You can never have too many scarves, and this year the blanket scarf is a super cute way to keep warm. Roll it up and stuff in a stocking!

Shaving Set with Brush. I love this set for the guy in your life. This one is $18 from Amazon, but you can definitely splurge for a nice set for $50-$100 range.

Tervis Tumbler. Who doesn't love a Tervis?! Keeps hot drinks hot, cold drinks cold, and doesn't sweat. Plus tons of designs!

Mist Screen Cleaner. For the germaphobe on your list! An all-in-one microfiber and cleansing spray for your cell phones, tablets, etc. I would love to find one of these in my stocking!

3D Fiber Mascara. Fiber mascara is all the rage this year! This would be a great gift for that frugal lady who wouldn't typically splurge on cosmetics.

What do you think about the list? Is there anything on here you would love to find in your stocking?

Link up y'all!
Cheers Y'all A. Liz Adventures Miss Dixie Southern Style

Check back in next week for Gifts Under $100!

It's here! It's here! I loved participating in the first annual Christmas List Linkup last year, and it's time to do it again.

After a summer break for the Five on Friday ladies, and a maternity break for me, I am back at it!
I love Five on Friday because it gives me a chance to reflect on my week/upcoming weekend and think about what I'm thankful for and excited about!


{TWO} Northern Parentals.
I am super excited for a visit from our northern family! They will be here for an entire week, which still won't be enough time to catch up and visit! We will take advantage of every visit, long or short, until they decide to move down here.


{THREE}  Fall Art.
One of the perks of being on maternity leave + having a toddler at home is the fun fall art we have created this season. Hand turkeys and leaf rubbings are where it's at y'all!


{FOUR} Mild weather.
We are taking advantage of every mild (read: warm) weather day we have left! Going outside is a must for my active toddler. I'm pretty sure parents rake leaves for the sole purpose of kids jumping into the pile. I know P sure loved it!



{FIVE} Good Neighbors.
I knew I had awesome neighbors, but it's become even more apparent since Eliza's arrival. They have cooked meals, provided childcare, and most of all...provided company. It's not easy to leave the house with a toddler and newborn in tow, so being able to throw on some sweats and take a short walk to visit a neighbor is super important!


Enjoy your weekend, friends! And be sure to link up :)