Horton House Daily: Week 3

I didn't intend for this to be my only post each week but we haven't been doing anything terribly exciting lately.  Hopefully that'll change.

Day 15:  I found Barrett with a spoon in hand devouring what was left of Steven's brownie after lunch.  That boy loves sweets
Day 16:  This was a fun one.  We went to "Toddler Time" at the library.  It was cray cray.  There were so many kids.  Barrett was a little overwhelmed.  After Barrett went to bed I met some friends at Jessica's salon for another spray tan party.  I'm an addict.  Patrick is checking into 12 step programs for my spray tan addiction.  When I got home Sam and Gracie were cuddled up together in the basement.  They are so sweet.   Day 17:  We finally had a pretty, warm day so we headed to the park with the rest of Gardendale.  Barrett had a blast and went down the big slides.  He's growing way to fast.
Day 18:  We celebrated a birthday at the Horton's.  I caught this sweet moment between Barrett and his cousin Tripp (who is 12 and just the sweetest to play with Barrett). 
Day 19:  I almost forgot and quickly posted this selfie of Barrett before I went to bed.
Day 20:  We went on a random trip to Tuscaloosa and drove through campus.  It's just beautiful.  I loved seeing all the students heading to and from class.  Sometimes I wish my time there hadn't passed so quickly.   Day 21:  We went to visit my grandmother.  She and Barrett enjoyed playing on their toys out in the driveway.  My uncle got my grandmother that cart for her to use when she's working in the yard.  Barrett was terrified of it.  But he loved pushing his car all over the yard.   So there's a look at week three of 2015.  I'm excited for this year!  Barrett is at a really fun age.  I was talking to another mom friend yesterday and we were talking about all the things we wanted to do with the boys this summer.  It made me so excited for warm weather to be here to stay!

Horton House Daily: Week 1

I few years ago I challenged myself to post a picture on my blog everyday.  I was exhausting.  I completed it but I decided I'd never do it again.  When I went to have my blog book printed that year it wouldn't all fit in one book so I've never had it printed and I haven't had one printed since.  (I'm really behind).  I loved the idea but my blog was not the place to post it everyday so I decided I would try it again this year and post them on instagram.  I'm using the hasttag #hortonhousedaily2015 if you want to follow along.  I'm going to post them here one a week.

Day 1:  We watched the Sugar Bowl at Matt's house.  We lost but Barrett didn't mind.  He was so good and so cute. Day 2:  I got to visit Olivia, Lorie, Joseph and Elise.  I hadn't seen the baby since she was born.  She was so sweet. Day 3:  We celebrated Eli's 1st birthday at a "Monster Bash".  It was such a cute theme.  The first time I tried to get Barrett's picture with the prop he tried to climb through it.  It was hilarious. Day 4:  Barrett dressed like a big boy for church.  He and daddy matched.  He looked so cute but I'm not ready for him to look like a teenager everyday. Day 5:  Barrett went back to school.  His teacher said he fell while he was dancing on top of a wedge mat.  I thought it was hilarious and wish I could have seen him dancing.  I also started the week of leopard. It's freezing here so I'm trying to cheer myself up by wearing leopard everyday. Day 6:  We were busy this day.  A friend came to play at the office, I wore one of my favorite leopard tunics, a friend brought me some coffee and we had Barrett's 2 year check up. (where we lost his lovie but that is getting its own post) Day 7:  Another day, another leopard selfie.  We worked all day on samples for Signs of Sophie.  It was a fun day.

Day 365

I'm so happy this is the last day of my Project 365.  I've enjoyed it.  I wish I had a profound shot for today.  I don't.

I've never been a Stephen King fan but when I saw him on the Today show talking about this book I knew I wanted to read it.  My Patrick's sister and brother-in-law got it for me for Christmas and I was so excited.  I stayed up till almost 2:00 this morning reading.  It's so good!

Day 365I'm hoping to make a book of this little project.  I think it'll be neat to have.

Happy New Year!

Patrick was actually off work for the night!  Since he didn't know he'd be off until Wednesday I'd already made plans with Kristen to go to her boss's party.  So she and I made a quick apparence at her there then headed to one of Patrick's buddy's houses to ring in the new year.  It was less than exciting but it was better than Patrick being at work.Day 364 I'm still working on my Christmas and end of the year posts.  Hopefully I'll finish them up tomorrow!

While we are waiting to ring in the New Year I did some cuddling with this cute kitty.  He was so sweet!Day 363

Sister time

Tonight I got to have dinner with my sister and Amy.  We did a little shopping first.  I found this super cute headband and I really wanted it for NYE but I didn't buy it!  Kristen said it was a bit much!Day 362

Poodle Love

While I was doing some after Christmas shopping this week I found this sweet poodle ornament.  I had to get it for Miss Ally.  Isn't it so cute!
Day 361

Dance Party

This may come as a surprise but I love the Sims.  I downloaded a free version for my phone and I'm kinda addicted to it.  I thought this looked so fun.  A dance party at 11:00 in the morning!Day 360

Critter Control

Y'all, I've had a day.  If it wasn't my life I wouldn't believe it!When I got to work this morning my boss mentioned that we'd had a little thief on the premises.  He wore a little black mask and had rings round his tail.  Well the neighbor called and said he big guy was in his carport.  We didn't have a trap but Steven tried to make one using a dog crate and we thought we'd lure him in with marshmallows.As you can imagine it wasn't that simple. After several marshmallows and a beer can we realized this guy wasn't going anywhere.  So we got out the hose, that got him moving.  My job was to lead him to the crate, well when he started running toward me I promptly screamed like a girl and ran backwards.  He took cover in the shrubs on the front lawn.  It was about this time a nice man and his wife showed up with better equipment, a really long pole and a net.  After a long game of chase Mr. Raccoon ended up under the truck the nice man and his wife showed up in.  The raccoon got up under the truck and we decided that he should go on a ride.  So last we saw him he was headed to a new destination unharmed.Here he is enjoying his afternoon beer.Day 359

Good Dogs

Santa came to see the dogs and left them each a bone in their stocking.

Day 358

Merry Christmas Y'all

We've had a wonderful Christmas.  I'll do a full recap as soon as I can get the photos uploaded and sorted.  For now enjoy this sweet one of Porter with his new chainsaw.Day 357

Merry Christmas Eve

Ally resting at Mom & Dad's after church.Day 356

Slovensky Family Party



I've had a full day and night.  I got up and cleaned house. I love having a clean house, just hate having to actually clean it.  After the house was clean I got ready and Lorie picked me up to meet Kristen for lunch.  I had not seen Lorie or Ellie in a month.  I'm not even sure it was the same baby.  She looked so much bigger and was smiley the whole time.  She fell asleep while we were waiting on our food, I just loved holding her.  After lunch we went by my parents house.  My mom had not seen her yet and had a little gift for her. I loved getting to spend the day with them.  Hopefully it won't be another month before I see her again!  Can you believe I didn't take a single photo? I know I'm a real slacker. 

After my visit with the girls, it was time for the Slovensky Family Christmas party.  Patrick had to work so I rode with mom and dad.  It was fun as usual.  This is the only photo I took at that party.  (I really need to get my butt in gear, this can not set the tone for the Christmas photos to come!)

My cousins Andrew and Adam.  I only get to see Andrew once a year.  He lives in southern Florida and works all the time.  When I was a kid these guys seemed so much older than me.  Now not so much!

On our way home Dad took us looking at Christmas lights but it was 11:30 and most were turned out for the night.Day 355

Christmas Ramblings

Tonight was the annual Supper Club Christmas party.  No, I'm not in a supper club but my boss used to be so I tag along to their party each year.  It's always so much fun.  We had delicious lasgna, salad, cheescake for dessert and these amazing chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels.  We played dirty santa and the gifts this year were pretty good.  I'm so excited I get to sleep in tomorrow.  One of my favorite things about the holidays...the ridiculously cheesy movies on Hallmark and Lifetime. I record them all and watch them while I'm off!   Since I took no pictures tonight, I thought I'd share our ornaments from my parents this year.  Campus Sweetheart Barbieand
Campus Cutie Ken, you can imagine the excitment when Patrick opened this one.  I"m kidding he loved it, only because I loved it!
Day 354 On the way to the party tonight I was thinking that Patrick and I got engaged 5 years ago yesterday and the next day was the annual Christmas party with my girlfriends from high school.  It was so exciting sharing the news.  Lorie rode to the lake with me and I decided I wasn't going to say anything, I was just going to wait for someone to notice.  Well that plan almost backfired.  We'd been there for about 2 hours before someone noticed.  It wa such a fun night!  I can't believe it was 5 years ago.  I need time to slow down.

This & That

I've been trying to get things caught up at home tonight since it will be the only night home till Monday night. There is a lot of fun to be had this weekend!

Patrick had to leave before me this morning so I took advantage and made up the bed.  I used to make up my bed every single day.  When Patrick started working nights it was a lost cause, he is usually in it before I leave. The bedroom is still lacking some decorative touches. 

Ally was so sweet the other night before we left to go somewhere.  She knew we were getting ready to head out so she snuggled up to me in hopes that she'd get to go.  For the record, she didn't get to go.  She looked pretty cute though.

The other night Brittany and I headed to Gigi's.  It'd been a while since our last trip.  It did not disappoint.  Then we headed over to the mall.  As expected, it was a zoo.
Day 353After bragging about finishing my Christmas list, I realized I hadn't gotten Patrick anything.  I know worst wife ever.  We aren't doing big gifts this year but I still need to get him something.  So guess who'll be doing some last minute shopping tomorrow. yay.

Record Setting

With five days till Christmas, everyone on my list has a wrapped gift under the tree! That's not to say I'm done shopping.  There's still a few things I would like to get but if I don't no big deal.  It feels so good to not have to worry about gifts and just focus on the season.

Day 352

You serious Clark?

Patrick and I enjoyed a little date night tonight at the Alabama Theatre.  This place is absolutely beautiful.  You can check out photos of the inside from my post last year HERE.  We saw Christmas Vacation.  It's one of my favorite movies ever.  I love it.  The place was packed and I laughed because I know the movie is older than most of the kids that were in attendance. 



Day 351

The gift that keeps on giving...

We decided to go ahead and give Mom and Dad their Christmas present last night.  This was the tag I made for the package.  I was almost as excited about the tag as I was for the actual present. (Which you'll see when I finish my 4th Annual Gingerbread House Competition post!)

Day 350

Redneck Yacht Club

Or Riverboat Gambler, I couldn't decide which name I liked best.

Day 349

The most Wonderful Time of the Year

I haven't linked up in a while so I love Christmas decor so I decided to link up with Kelly's Korner for Show Us Your Life: Christmas Home Tours. So if you're visiting form there, Thanks for stopping by I hope you enjoy!

I think I'm finally finished decorating for the season.  I love our home decorated for Christmas.  I love the way the lights make the living room feel so warm and cozy.  I love looking at our tree and remembering all the places we've been and all the special memories each ornament holds.  Not much has changed from our decor last year.  But here it is...

The mantle had to change a little bit this year due to the TV being on the wall now.  I love the TV there so I didn't mind working around it.  As my sister so eloquently put it, It looks like pinterest threw up in my home.  I loved the burlap stockings so much, so I added those this year. 

Also new on the mantle this year the apothecary jars with the ornaments. I love the way it looks. As always the photo of us Christmas morning the first Christmas we were married and then a photo of us from our trip to see Santa last year.

This nativity normally sits in the middle of the mantle but I decided to move it to the shelf beside the fireplace due to the TV.  I think it's so pretty.

On the coffee table sits a mercury glass bowl with a few ornaments, our Christmas memories book and the cards we've received in years past.  I saw this idea on pinterest and I loved it.  It's been a conversational piece for all our guests.

Our card for the year framed on the hearth.

I also love these oversized ornaments hanging from the fireplace tools.

Our traditional tree. I added the ribbon this year and I think I like it.  You can't see but this is where the tree skirt I made is.

I went a little crazy with the yarn trees this year.  They were so easy to make and I loved how they turned out.  Here are a few on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen.

The window over the sink with a few more yarn trees, a small nativity and my lenox ornament wine stopper.

The card tree in the foyer.  I added this last year and I love it.  Last year I used clothes pins and pinned the cards to the ribbon.  This year I decided to just sit the cards in the tree.  So far it's working well.

I little Christmas cheer on the end table with the Southern Living December issue and and sweet little candy dish.

I have these cute little hand towels in the hall bath.  I want to get a little tree or something to sit on the counter in here.  Maybe next year.

The ledge going to the man room.  See what I mean with the yarn trees.  I just loved them.  I bought the stocking hangers last year for the dog's stockings.  I found the cute little cable knit stockings at Target and I added the glitter letters.  There's one for Ally, Sam and Gracie.  This is one of my favorite little spaces this year.

A close up of the trees.

and the stockings.

The "House Divided" tree in the man room.  It's pretty much the same as last year.  I did move it to another corner and I'm not sure I like it there.

I had this table runner on my table upstairs last year.  It didn't really go with the new curtains since I mostly got rid of the black so I used it on this table.

Here's a closer look at the Christmas Memories book.  I'm so happy I started this. It's been fun to look back at each year. 

One side has photos from that Christmas, the other side has a little pre-made prompt to write about the holiday.  The prompts are

Christmas Eve- Where you went? Who was there?

Christmas Day- Where you went? Who was there?

Special Memories?

I also add our card from the year in the book and I write on the back of the card a few favorite memories from the year.

The little tree in the guest room. I also have holiday sheets I put on this bed.  Not that I have a lot of guests.

One last look at the living room.  I love how it turned out this year!

Day 348

And the tree in the mirror over the sofa. 

Merry Christmas!